What can we help you find?

Not sure where to start or need help? Ask a Librarian

What can we help you find?

Not sure where to start or need help? Ask a Librarian

Discover our collections

Fijian Australian woman with short grey hair sitting on a rock on a beach

Leigh Henningham, Portrait of Everest Pitt, 2022, nla.obj-3110047460

Oral history

A family dressed for a wedding laughs as they sit together on a couch

Conor Ashleigh, Bridal couple Achol and Marial and their bridal party, Sydney, December, 2013, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-506867692

Family history and genealogy

A group of women marches down a city street, holding various protest signs. Signs include messages like "Sexism is alive & living in Australia" and "Dress for comfort, not for style." A large sculpture is visible in the background.

John McKinnon, Women on the march wave their placards at the International Women's Day march, Melbourne, March 8, 1975, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137045864

Feminism and women leaders

Detailed shaded illustration of a Roman temple with pillars and no roof

Hardy Wilson, Temple of Neptune at Paestum, 1925, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-153527636

Europe

Illustration of a tree branch with leaves. Some of it it coloured in and some left white

William T. Cooper, Corymbia confertiflora (Kippist) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson, family Myrtaceae, Chillagoe, Queensland, February 2003, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1728333879

Visual arts

Vincent Lingiari and two other men seated

Michael Jensen, Vincent Lingiari at Wattie Creek [(Daguragu), Northern Territory] when they had water on tap, 1977, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137086604

First Australians

Large wall of bookshelves with hundreds of colourful books

Literature and writing

Black and white sketch of costume for the Princess-Mother in Swan Lake, with swatches of fabrics around the edges

Kristian Fredrikson, Costume and set sketches, Swan Lake (New Zealand) Act 1, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3160686825

Performing arts

Black and white photo of a man in a suit holding a large old camera

Harold Cazneaux holding a camera, Sydney, ca. 1905, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-144119446

Photography

Discover more

Latest news

Two colourful board games relating to the 1934 MacRobertson International Air Race on a wooden table

A soaring centenary: The 1934 MacRobertson Air Race

07 Oct 2026

Learn about the thrilling 1934 London to Melbourne air race that inspired 2 board games recently added to our collection.

Blog

A group of people in colorful winter gear stand on a vast expanse of snow and ice, looking towards a large orange icebreaker ship in the distance

Felicity Jenkins, Expeditioners form a line on the sea ice off Davis Station to farewell the Aurora Australis and wintering expeditioners returning home, Antarctica, 1998, nla.obj-144071241

What's On in October 2026 at the National Library

22 Sep 2026

We’re asking big questions this month at the Library as our spring program gets into full swing.

Media release

A colorful underwater scene from the children's book 'Swimming with Aunty Isobel'. Two girls, an adult and a child, are swimming together through a vibrant coral reef filled with fish and sea life. The title and authors' names are prominently displayed.

Stunning new children’s titles releasing just in time for Christmas

01 Sep 2026

Explore the new children's titles releasing soon from NLA Publishing.

Media release

A woman singing on stage is pictured on the left, the right shows a painting of yellow wattle

(L) Wallabindi; (R) Ellis Rowan, Acacia pycnantha Benth., family Fabaceae [detail], c. 1880s, nla.obj-138743765

What's On in September 2026 at the National Library

25 Aug 2026

September in Canberra signals the return of Floriade, and the Library is delighted to be a part of the Floriade About Town celebrations.

Media release

Table at Bookplate cafe with special menu items, kids activity sheets and books for Floriade with colourful stained glass windows in the background

Floriade About Town at the National Library

21 Aug 2026

See our range of activities, displays, and food and drink offerings to enjoy this Floriade.

News

View all news

What's on

Red text reading 'Wangka Wakanutja' on a yellow background

Wangka Wakaṉutja: The Story of the Papunya Literature Production Centre

04 Apr 2026 - 31 Jan 2027

Explore the decades-long, remarkable efforts of the Papunya community to record language and culture and keep it alive.

Exhibition

Exhibition Gallery

Online

Assistance animals welcome

Quiet hours 9:00am - 11:00am

Wheelchair accessible

Felicity Jenkins, Expeditioners form a line on the sea ice off Davis Station to farewell the Aurora Australis and wintering expeditioners returning home, Antarctica, 1998, nla.obj-144071241

Antarctica: Journeys on the ice

10 Oct 2026

Join National Library curators, with Antarctic station leader Rebecca Jeffcoat and expeditioner Stephanie Pfennigwerth on a journey through our extensive Antarctic collection.

Event

Panel discussion

Assistance animals welcome

Hearing induction loop

Wheelchair accessible

A film poster featuring a woman standing in ankle-deep water at the beach, looking towards a sky featuring a stylised rainbow

Special event: Pasifika Film Fest 2026

10 Oct 2026

Enjoy an afternoon of culture, history and connection at the Library as we host Pasifika Film Fest 2026 with a screening of Remathau: People of the Ocean, and the short documentary Tales of the Diaspora.

Event

Assistance animals welcome

Hearing induction loop

Wheelchair accessible