Dr Marie-Louise Ayres concluded her term as Director-General of the National Library of Australia on 8 April 2026, after 9 years in the role, 24 years at the Library, and 32 years in the library sector. After 3 decades, she is just as passionate about the Library, the work of the Australian library sector, and about the value of libraries and collections to communities and knowledge eco-systems, to arts, culture and research. 

This event was an opportunity to hear Marie-Louise share her learnings, discuss current challenges, and impart her hopes for the future of libraries and the broader cultural sector.

About Dr Marie-Louise Ayres FAHA

Dr Marie-Louise Ayres was appointed Director-General of the National Library Australia in March 2017, having joined the Library in 2002. She has worked in research libraries for nearly 30 years, after completing a PhD in Australian Literature at the Australian National University.

Marie-Louise is a Director of National and State Libraries Australasia (NSLA), having previously been a leader and participant in many NSLA projects, including NED, the National edeposit service that was jointly developed by Australia's national, state and territory libraries. She is the Chair of the Conference of Directors of National Libraries.

She is also an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.