September in Canberra signals the return of Floriade, and the Library is delighted to be a part of the Floriade About Town celebrations. Visitors can savour a selection of specially crafted floral-inspired dishes at Bookplate Café before relaxing in the spring sunshine on our pop-up outdoor furniture. 

Families and young visitors can also enjoy a range of free, self-guided activities in our children’s space of the Main Reading Room. The space has recently been transformed with a stunning mural, The Magic Bookcase, by renowned illustrator Robert Ingpen. The artwork brings classic storybook characters to life, stepping out of their pages and onto the shelves. 

This month we also celebrate the outdoors, with a new photographic exhibition in the Treasures Gallery, Regional Rivalries: Sport, spectacle and community in regional Australia. From lawn mower racing and dry riverbed boating to disc golf and pickleball, we showcase the diversity of Australian sporting culture through this impressive display of 28 images from the Library’s recent Regional Sport and Competitive Events Photography Project. The exhibition is open daily in the Treasures Gallery from Tuesday 22 September, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Entry is free.

What else is on?

Wallabindi: In story and song

2 Sep | 6:00pm | Free, in-person and online

Wallabindi is a proud First Nations woman, creating deeply moving performances that weave together personal stories, culture and song. Accompanied by guitar and percussion, enjoy a heartfelt evening of music, storytelling and shared reflection on Indigenous Literacy Day.

Three Worlds Oak

7 September | 6:00pm | $25-$30, in-person and online

The Friends of the National Library and the ACT branch of the Australian Garden History Society present their annual joint lecture. Professor Tim Entwisle discusses the extraordinary diversity of the humble oak tree.

The Great Debate 2026

17 Sep | From 4:00pm | $10-$20

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia presents an evening of compelling debate. The Great Student Debate will precede the main event where six of Australia’s premier academics argue for and against the state of Australian politics.

She Shapes History: Well-behaved women rarely make history

19 Sep | 10:30am | $40

Sita Sargeant dives into the Library’s collections to uncover the women written out of the story of Australia. This time she uses diaries, police gazettes, welfare registers and more to explore the concept of ‘well-behaved’ and those who fell outside that narrow definition.

Histories of cyclones in Australia

24 Sep | 12:30pm | Free, in person and online

Dr Margaret Cook presents her recent Fellowship research on cyclones, one of the most powerful and devastating natural forces experienced in the Australian climate.

Story Dogs on Sunday

27 Sep | 11:00am | Free, no bookings necessary

Drop in on the last Sunday of every month for a paw-sitive reading experience with trained volunteers and their accredited dogs. 

School holiday activity: Connecting to Country through art

30 Sep | 10:00am | $25

These holidays, celebrate art, culture, and storytelling with Ngunawal artists Jazz and Kristal Matthews from Wilay Designs. Children aged 6 to 10 years of age can paint and take home their own canvas panels.

Wangka Wakanutja: The Story of the Papunya Literature Production Centre

Major exhibition extended until 31 January | Open daily 9:00am-5:00pm | Free, no bookings necessary

Visit the exhibition to explore the incredible literary and artistic significance of Papunya, in the Western Desert region of the Northern Territory.

Media enquiries

Lauren Conron, Media Liaison, National Library of Australia

Phone: 0401 226 697

Email: media@nla.gov.au