Collaborations bringing diverse voices and new perspectives

• We are thrilled to announce an ongoing partnership with She Shapes History. Founder and CEO, and 2026 ACT Young Person of the Year, Sita Sargeant will present a series of discussions with special guests examining lesser-known histories of Australian women.
• Canberra Writers Festival is back at the Library for a weekend full of festival goodness in October, along with some big-name authors appearing in-conversation throughout the year. We look forward to welcoming Bob Carr, Lisa Wilkinson, Natasha Brown and Booker Prize winner David Szalay.
• A delegation of Scandinavian authors will share their unique stories with Australian audiences, from compelling Sámi storytelling to dark Nordic humour and beyond.
• We host the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and an exclusive in-conversation with the winners.

Flagship lectures from prominent Australians contributing to our national conversation

• Prof Georgina Long AO, oncologist and leading medical researcher presents the Ann Moyal Lecture.
• Ronni Khan AO, social entrepreneur and founder of OzHarvest will deliver the Kenneth Myer Lectures in Canberra and Melbourne.
• Winnie Dunn, award-winning writer and general manager of Western Sydney’s Sweatshop Literacy Movement presents the Ray Mathew Lecture.

Children, schools and family programs

• The Enlighten Festival is back this February and the Library has commissioned a spectacular stop-motion animation to be projected on our building.
• The Great Debate and the Great Student Debate are presented in partnership with the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.
• Hands-on creative school holiday workshops, and online webinars for lifelong learners are on offer all-year round.
• We’ll celebrate the launches of our new NLA Publishing children’s books and welcome the return of the Story Dogs on Sundays reading program.

Music and performance showcasing highlights from the Library’s collections

• Actors from Bell Shakespeare ‘illustrate’ our lecture series presented by Library curators and the ANU Centre for Early Modern Studies.
• In April, the National Folk Festival presents a unique collaboration between musicians and historians.

Exhibitions

The Library will open two new major exhibitions this year to complement our recently refreshed Treasures Gallery, with new objects and stories to inspire and delight. Stay tuned for these exciting announcements. Also, we’re counting down the final months of 1975: Living in the Seventies. See it now before it closes in March.  

Friends of the National Library receive exclusive invitations to exhibition openings and access to special member events. Find out more about becoming a member.

Check our What’s On page for events coming up soon.

Media Enquiries

Lauren Conron, Media Liaison, National Library of Australia

Phone: 0401 226 697

Email: media@nla.gov.au