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

An indoor museum exhibit featuring several glass display cases with red velvet bases, showcasing historical artifacts. The walls are lined with informational panels and photographs. A prominent display case on the left has a red background and features portraits of individuals. The floor is green carpeted, and the space is well-lit with overhead lighting.

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Museum, courtesy of Helen Laffin, Senior Heritage Collections Co-ordinator/Curator.

2026 Community Heritage Grant recipients announced

02 Nov 2026

45 community organisations receive funding to preserve Australia’s cultural heritage.

Media release

A room filled with metal racks holding numerous framed paintings and artworks on wheels.

Broken Hill City Art Gallery art store, courtesy of Broken Hill City Art Gallery.

2026 Community Heritage Grant recipients

02 Nov 2026

We’re pleased to announce that 45 community organisations are receiving a Community Heritage Grant in 2026.

News

A promotional image for 'The Memory Tapes' by the National Library of Australia, featuring a collage of historical photographs on the left and a warm, outdoor portrait of an elderly woman and a younger woman embracing on the right.

Bonus episode now streaming: Trailblazers: Women, Change and the Work Still Ahead

26 Oct 2026

The story of Australia’s progress cannot be told without the women who challenged expectations, reshaped institutions and fought to expand opportunities for future generations.

News

A pile of comics and graphic novels scattered over a table

What's On in November 2026 at the National Library

21 Oct 2026

With an abundance of author talks, book launches and two opportunities for the public to see rarely shown treasures from our collections, the Library is the place to be in November.

Media release

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

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

An older woman stands beside a large painting of two vibrant yellow birds on a rocky hillside with mountains in the background, next to a stained-glass window; a blue circular graphic reads 'Friends Event' in the foreground.

Friends Collection Viewing: Birds of a Feather

04 Nov 2026

The Friends of the National Library of Australia present their annual collection viewing event.

Event

Friends of the Library event

Assistance animals welcome

Wheelchair accessible

A cartoon of a pointy-nosed orange character wearing a yellow dress with red spots, placed upside down on a bright blue background

Judy Horacek: Everyone on the bus fell down (not just me)

10 Nov 2026

Cartoonist, writer and illustrator Judy Horacek brings her comedy cartoon slide show to the National Library – a show about public transport, climate catastrophe, a certain green sheep and getting older (for real).

Event

Books and authors

Assistance animals welcome

Hearing induction loop

Wheelchair accessible

An aerial view of a desert landscape with a single green tree at the center, surrounded by numerous rusted, abandoned airplane fuselages arranged in a radial pattern.

'Nature' documentary screening Canberra - Citizen COP 2026

11 Nov 2026

Join People For Nature and the Alliance Française de Canberra for a special community screening of Nature - The Call for Reconciliation, a powerful cinematic experience connecting global environmental challenges to local action. Presented as part of Citizen COP Australia 2026.

Event

Film screening

Assistance animals welcome

Hearing induction loop

Wheelchair accessible

View all events