ArtsNational Canberra and Susan Kay-Williams presented a lecture exploring the fascinating history of how dyes were discovered and produced up to the 18th century.

ArtsNational Canberra and Paul Brunton OAM present a lecture focusing on the eyewitness accounts of the voyage to Sydney during the First Fleet of 1787 - 1788.

ArtsNational Canberra and Zara Fleming presented a lecture focusing on the Buddhist areas of the highest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas.

Dr Sylvia Martin, in conversation with Frank Bongiorno, launched her new book about prominent Australian artists Eirene Mort and Nora Kate Weston, and their incredible 60-year creative partnership.

Julie Gough discussed her recent Fellowship research focusing on colonial collections and their role in shaping Tasmanian Aboriginal histories.

In 2026 the National Library of Australia presents a rich and varied program of new talks and ideas, along with our long-running flagship lectures. Read about what's coming up.

Award winning animators and artists Eleanor & Giovanni presented a workshop for children based on their Enlighten Festival 2026 illumination The Page Turner, created for the National Library.

The Friends of the Library delved into the craft of writing a biography with Troy Bramston.

Dr Kate Flaherty and Bell Shakespeare presented a special lecture about Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, diving into the play and its history, unpacking what it tells us about our past, present and future.

Professor Lorna Hutson examined early modern legal and poetic texts to explore the concept of England's 'island nationhood'.