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

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

The Fit to Print book cover featuring two men sitting on a park bench under a tree with city skyline and horse and cart in the background, is pictured alongside a portrait of Mike Bowers holding a camera

(L) Cover image, Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Photo Archive, and (R) Mike Bowers

Fit to Print: New hardback publication explores the Fairfax Photographic archive

17 Aug 2026

Photographer and media commentator Mike Bowers delves into the Fairfax Photographic Archive, showcasing more than 150 iconic images from Australia’s past.

Media release

Two First Nations women sitting at a table conducting an oral history interview.

Photo of Dr Lorina Barker and Gwen Barker conducting an oral history interview, taken by Peta Barker, 2026

Expressions of interest open for First Nations oral history training program 2026–27

12 Aug 2026

We’re calling for expressions of interest for our inaugural First Nations oral history training program.

News

A wide-angle view inside an exhibition gallery. The walls feature illustrations and photographs with descriptive text.

A screenshot from the virtual walkthrough of Wangka Wakanutja: The Story of the Papunya Literature Production Centre.

Virtual exhibition connects community to Canberra

06 Aug 2026

Explore the Library's Wangka Wakaṉutja exhibition via the virtual exhibition online now.

Media release

National Library celebrates curiosity and discovery during National Science Week

03 Aug 2026

We will join organisations across the country this August to celebrate National Science Week, Australia’s annual festival of science, technology and innovation.

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

Hands of a person holding a light blue smartphone in their hands against a dark background.

Image courtesy of Erik Mclean on Unsplash.

Scams awareness for our community

26 Aug 2026

Services Australia delivers a practical and informative session on how to recognise the warning signs of a scam, protect your personal information and respond with confidence if something doesn’t seem right.

Event

Talks and ideas

Seminar

Assistance animals welcome

Hearing induction loop

Wheelchair accessible

A collage of close-up sections of a colourful medieval manuscript

Catholic Church, Book of hours, circa 1400, nla.obj-156072948

Making of a medieval manuscript: from cover to cover

27 Aug 2026

Discover how one of the Library's magnificent medieval treasures was created by hand. Gemma Black guides you through the process in this public lecture sponsored by the Friends of the National Library.

Event

Friends of the Library event

Talks and ideas

Assistance animals welcome

Hearing induction loop

Wheelchair accessible