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What's on

Explore our events, exhibitions, workshops and talks.

In the spotlight

Canberra Writers Festival logo
Canberra Writers Festival 2025: Saturday Program
25 Oct 2025

The Library hosts a full weekend program of events for this year's Canberra Writers Festival.

Event
Books and authors
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
Guy Hansen holding a book in the 1975 exhibition gallery

Dr Guy Hansen in the 1975: Living in the Seventies exhibition gallery

Learn with the curators of 1975: Living in the Seventies
29 Oct 2025

Join us for a live webinar where we'll discuss items in the 1975: Living in the Seventies exhibition with the Library's Exhibitions team.

Event
Education/learning
Workshops and seminars
Webinar
A children's board game from 1855 featuring images of people in the gold fields

Board game titled Race to the gold diggings of Australia, 1855, nla.obj-139615708

Collection viewing: A treasure trove of tales for children
29 Oct 2025

The Friends of the Library present their annual collection viewing event.

Event
Books and authors
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 page of handwritten music notations with composer Luke Styles wearing a black t-shirt
Living Collection: The music of Luke Styles
12 Nov 2025

Through musical performance and conversation, we explore the Library's collection of works by acclaimed composer Luke Styles.

Event
Talks and ideas
Panel discussion
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible

Events

Canberra Writers Festival logo
In Love with Tasmania: Heather Rose in conversation
24 Oct 2025

Heather Rose and Karen Viggers kick off the 2025 Canberra Writers Festival program at the National Library.

Event
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
Canberra Writers Festival logo
Canberra Writers Festival 2025: Saturday Program
25 Oct 2025

The Library hosts a full weekend program of events for this year's Canberra Writers Festival.

Event
Books and authors
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
Canberra Writers Festival logo
Canberra Writers Festival 2025: Sunday Program
26 Oct 2025

The Library hosts a full weekend program of events for this year's Canberra Writers Festival.

Event
Books and authors
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
View all events

Exhibition

Text in a retro font reading '1975 Living in the Seventies' on a bright orange background
1975: Living in the Seventies
14 Aug 2025 - 09 Mar 2026

Look back on life in the 70s including politics, feminism, pop culture, news of the day, and more.

Exhibition
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible

Explore more

Volunteer Library tour guide smiling and greeting a tour group, made up of people of various ages, in the foyer.
Library tours
Orange, brown and white painting hung in the main reading room

Minnie Lumai (b. 1940), Yab-yab-gnerni-gnim (Sugarbag Dreaming), 2009, natural ochre on canvas ; 130 x 125 cm, Main Reading Room.

Artworks in and around the building
Two young women having morning tea at the Bookplate cafe

Bookplate cafe

Cafes
Woman browsing books on display at the Library's Bookshop
Bookshop
People reading and talking in a large, sunny room at tables, desks and computer stations

Main Reading Room

Reading rooms

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