Past events | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Past events

Showing 1 - 12 of 263 results
An audience watching a performance in a theatre with a focused expression
A deep dive into 'Julius Caesar'
26 Mar 2026 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Join Dr Kate Flaherty and Bell Shakespeare for 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.

Theatre
Talks and ideas
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
An illustrated book cover alongside a poem with a comical drawing of an emu
'This is Us' poetry excursion
26 Mar 2026 | 10:00am - 12:30pm

A special excursion opportunity for school groups, featuring inspiring activities and workshops celebrating Australian poetry.

Theatre
Education/learning
Two smiling women pictured at the front of the Archives New Zealand building

New Zealand National Librarian Rachel Esson and Chief Archivist Anahera Morehu outside the new Archives New Zealand Building, Te Rua in Wellington

Libraries and archives: Disruption, trends and transformation
25 Mar 2026 | 3:30pm - 5:15pm

Six leading library and archive professionals discuss the local and global impacts of current trends and disruptors in the sector. Join this special event livestreamed from the National Library of New Zealand.

Online
Theatre
This image consists of two pictures side-by-side. On the left-hand side is a book cover featuring a photo of Gough Whitlam. On the right-hand side is an image of Troy Bramston. He is sitting at a table with a garden in the background.

Book cover, Gough Whitlam: The Vista of the New, by Troy Bramston; and Troy Bramston photographed by John Feder.

Discovering the real Gough Whitlam: Troy Bramston on writing a life
24 Mar 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:30pm

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

Foyer
Online
Theatre
Author talk
Friends of the Library event
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
A photograph of a man in glasses, suit and tie with his book cover for Bring Back Yesterday

Bob Carr

Author talk: Bring Back Yesterday by Bob Carr
20 Mar 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Join Canberra Writers Festival and author Bob Carr for a special In Conversation event focused on his new memoir, Bring Back Yesterday.

Foyer
Theatre
Books and authors
Author talk
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
A woman with long hair tied back stands in the centre of the image wearing a white shirt and navy jacket
2026 Ann Moyal Lecture: Professor Georgina Long AO
19 Mar 2026 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Professor Georgina Long AO delivered the 2026 Ann Moyal Lecture, addressing the question 'When groundbreaking cancer treatments save 50% of patients, what happens to the other half?' 

Online
Theatre
Past event
Talks and ideas
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
A man wearing a lilac button down shirt and a blue and red checkered blazer while smiling at the camera

Dr Samuel White

Keeping the peace of the realm with Dr Samuel White
17 Mar 2026 | 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Dr Samuel White will discuss his recent Fellowship research focused on the historical use of military call-outs and the decision-making processes behind deploying troops in Australia.

Conference Room
Online
Talks and ideas
Fellowship talk
A man wearing a blue button down shirt and blazer smiling at the camera while standing in front of a white brick wall

Frank Bongiorno AM

Canberra Day Oration 2026: Frank Bongiorno AM
12 Mar 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm

The Canberra & District Historical Society proudly presents the 2026 Canberra Day Oration.

Online
Theatre
Talks and ideas
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
Laptop open to the Treasures Gallery exhibition page of the National Library website
Research skills webinar for secondary students 2026
12 Mar 2026 | 1:00pm - 1:45pm

Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia presented a free webinar to seriously level up students' research game!

Online
Past event
An illustration of eight people wearing textiles

Dura Europos Synagogue, panel WC3: David Anointed King by Samuel (CE 3rd Century). Ancient use of purple dye. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Imperial purple to Marie Antoinette’s fleas: The colourful history of textiles
10 Mar 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:45pm

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

Foyer
Theatre
Talks and ideas
A colourful projection on the National Library of Australia building featuring a figurine reading a book while holding a lamp
Enlighten 2026: The Page Turner
27 Feb - 09 Mar 2026 | 8:00pm - 11:00pm

We invite you to experience our 2026 Enlighten projection, The Page Turner by local artists Eleanor and Giovanni.

Foyer
Podium
Enlighten
For kids and families
A headshot of a woman wearing a red shirt and black blazer, looking into the distance while leaning on the edge of a city view

Natasha Brown

Author talk: Universality by Natasha Brown
04 Mar 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Join Canberra Writers Festival and author Natasha Brown for a special In Conversation event focused on her bold, new novel Universality.

Foyer
Theatre
Books and authors
Author talk
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible

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