Past events | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Past events

Showing 1 - 12 of 181 results
Scott-Patrick Mitchell standing in front of a tree

2025 Creative Arts Fellow Scott-Patrick Mitchell. Image courtesy David Cox Media.

RISE RALLY REST with Scott-Patrick Mitchell
29 May 2025 | 5:30pm - 6:30pm

Poet Scott-Patrick Mitchell discussed their recent Fellowship focused on laying research groundwork for a new poetry collection titled RISE RALLY REST.

Online
Theatre
Past event
Talks and ideas
Fellowship talk
Grey background with white text reading 'Fit to Print' and individual photos of photographers Mike Bowers, Rick Stevens and Lorie Graham
Life behind the lens
27 May 2025 | 6:00pm - 7:15pm

Veteran photojournalist Mike Bowers in conversation with two of Australia’s greatest photographers: Lorrie Graham, and Rick Stevens.

Online
Theatre
Past event
Talks and ideas
Photos of Adam Ford, Jilda Andrews, Lucy Hannan, Phyllis Williams and Rebecca Bateman

Adam Ford, Jilda Andrews, Lucy Hannan, Phyllis Williams and Rebecca Bateman

Lunchtime yarn: ICIP across the National Cultural sector
27 May 2025 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Staff from across Canberra’s National Cultural Institutions shared their experiences working with Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) rights.

Online
Theatre
First Australians
Past event
Workshops and seminars
An adult and child reading a book with a dog sitting between them.
Story Dogs on Sunday - May 2025
25 May 2025 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm

We had a paw-sitive reading experience with the Story Dogs program.

Kids and families
Foyer
Books and authors
Storytime
For kids and families
Past event
Print of two women in dresses holding hands. One has a trumpet in her other hands and is leaning over a sign reading 'Free Masons Hall Readings & Music'. Photoshopped on top is a teal circle with text reading 'Friends Event'

John Thornthwaite and Mather Brown, Ticket for an Evening of ‘Readings & Music’ Held at Free Masons Hall, c. 1790, from the Papers of Jamie and Michael Kassler, 1790-2021, nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn5977647

Coffee with the Curator: The Excellencies of Musick
22 May 2025 | 10:30am - 12:00pm

Dr Susannah Helman provided her insights into the Jamie and Michael Kassler Collection.

Treasures Gallery
Friends of the Library event
Guided tours
Past event
Cover of the book The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell. A man is crouched down patting a cat. There is a bowl in front of the cat, a bush with flowers in the foreground, and trees behind a white pole fence and a truck cabin in the background.
ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime 2025: 'The Truck Cat'
21 May 2025 | 12:00pm - 12:10pm

We read 'The Truck Cat' for National Simultaneous Storytime 2025.

Online
Books and authors
Storytime
Education/learning
For kids and families
Past event
Book cover for 'Dirraywadha' by Anita Heiss next to a photo of Anita Heiss sitting on some concrete steps
Teacher Professional Development with Dr Anita Heiss
15 May 2025 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Dr Anita Heiss conducted a teacher professional development workshop.

Theatre
Education/learning
First Australians
Past event
Workshops and seminars
Workshop
Cover of book 'Red Dust Running' by Anita Heiss next to a picture of Anita Heiss sitting on concrete steps smiling
Book launch: Red Dust Running with Anita Heiss
14 May 2025 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Anita Heiss discussed her new book 'Red Dust Running'.

Online
Theatre
Books and authors
Book launch
First Australians
Past event
On the right, a black and white portrait of author Colom McCann. On the left, the cover of his book 'Twist'.
Author talk: Twist by Colum McCann
09 May 2025 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm

A special In Conversation event with internationally acclaimed Irish novelist Colum McCann focused on his new novel, Twist

Theatre
Books and authors
Book launch
Past event
White text on a grey background reading 'Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Archive' next to a photo of curator Allister Mills
Curator Tour: Fit to Print exhibition - 7 May
07 May 2025 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Curator Allister Mills led a behind the scenes tour of our new exhibition Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Photo Archive.

Exhibition Gallery
Guided tours
Past event
Black and white image of a man, woman and child sitting at a beach looking out towards the ocean

One with the Land ... Waiting for the Sacred Fish to come in : Maynard Williams , leena Watts, Joy Anne Williams - Llarabin Beach , Mornington Island QLD 1978 - Juno Gemes ©

In Conversation: Until Justice Comes with Juno Gemes, Djon Mundine and Michael Aird
02 May 2025 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Juno Gemes, Djon Mundine and Michael Aird shared their own personal histories as friends, colleagues and collaborators, telling the true history of Australia.

Online
Theatre
First Australians
Past event
Talks and ideas
National Library building under construction

National Capital Development Commission, The National Library of Australia under construction, c. 1967, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-147040537

National Library of Australia: Behind the scenes - 2 May
02 May 2025 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm

David Priddle took an in depth look at the Library to unearth stories of the architectural style, history, and the current restoration projects of this remarkable building.

Foyer
Guided tours
Past event

Visit us

Find our opening times, get directions, join a tour, or dine and shop with us.

Plan your visit