How is a rare book about swimming connected to an important early European map of Australia and American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin? Find out in this blog.

Celebrate WorldPride with this diverse range of books about the LGBTQIA+ experience and culture.

Explore these book recommendations from the National Library staff to help library lovers of all ages get in the Library Lovers’ Day spirit!

Every year, on 1 January, creative works come out of copyright and into the public domain.

Michael Richards

More than 1,000 comics, mostly published in Australia and including some overseas titles reprinted in Australia, from the 1940s to 1970s, as well as fanzines and personal papers.

Manuscripts of poems and stories and letters from over 70 writers that Stephens assembled in the years in which he was editing the ‘Red Page’ of the Bulletin and later the Bookfellow.

14,000 books and pamphlets about numerous subjects such as Australian poetry and literary criticism, English and Scottish poetry, Greek and Roman literature, Australian history, labour history and religion. Also includes personal papers of Pearce and other Australian writers.

Learn how to uncover facts and colour from historical documents, manuscripts, newspapers and more.

Over 32,000 items, including rare books, pamphlets, maps, and ephemera, covering topics such as Oceania, transport, and literature. Compiled by Sir John Alexander Ferguson, it is a key resource for Australian history and bibliography.

Over 10,000 books, pamphlets and issues of periodicals, published between the late 16th and mid-20th century. The main strength is English literature, particularly of the 18th century.

1534 children's books written by Australians, with significant Australian content, or with an Australian as one of the main characters, published between 1813 and 1981. They include novels, short stories, picture books, plays, poetry and non-fiction books.