For many centuries Europeans believed there must be a vast land in the southern hemisphere, variously called ‘Terra Australis Incognita’ from the Latin for ‘Unknown South Land’.

The Library has a diverse collection of materials documenting the history of Australian musical performance.

The Dance collection includes unique Australian dance resources across a spectrum of dance styles.

Circus, magic and mime, and puppetry

Our collections document the history and development of dramatic and comic theatre in Australia.

We hold one of Australia’s largest collections of performing arts materials.

United States congressional publications are of interest as primary sources for students of United States history, for United States foreign and economic policy, and for other public affairs issues of interest to other countries.

On April 25, 1915, the Australian troops, together with troops from New Zealand, Britain and France, landed at what came to be called ANZAC Cove.

The Australian and overseas printed collections at the National Library contain substantial material which can support research into the First World War.

Newspapers provide an invaluable resource for researching World War I and the National Library holds the largest collection of Australian and overseas newspapers in Australia in both print and digital formats.