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What's on

Explore our events, exhibitions, workshops and talks.

In the spotlight

Parents and child smiling and talking in the Library's Treasures Gallery
Treasures Gallery
Daily

The Treasures Gallery is where you can find highlights from our physical and digital collection

Exhibition
Online
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Assistance animals welcome
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Wheelchair accessible
Volunteer Library tour guide smiling and greeting a tour group, made up of people of various ages, in the foyer.
Library tours

Learn about the history of our building, our services, and explore our behind-the-scenes spaces by joining a free guided tour.

Library services
An adult and child reading a book with a dog sitting between them.
Storytime with the Story Dogs

Join us from 11:00am to 12:00pm on the last Sunday of each month for a paw-sitive reading experience with the Story Dogs program.

Information article
A woman with white hair and dark-rimmed glasses is speaking into a microphone
2026 Kenneth Myer Lecture Canberra: Ronni Kahn AO
04 Aug 2026

The 2026 Kenneth Myer Lecture will be delivered by Ronni Kahn AO, founder of leading food rescue charity, OzHarvest.

Event
Talks and ideas
Flagship lecture
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Assistance animals welcome
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Hearing induction loop
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Wheelchair accessible
An illustration of a colourful castle and buildings in Florence, Italy

Hartmann Schedel, Florence, woodcut from the Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493

Florence and the birth of the Italian Renaissance
14 Jul 2026

ArtsNational Canberra and Charlie Hall present a lecture focusing on the ideas and culture of the Italian Renaissance, a phenomenon that emerged in the 15th century.

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

Events

An illustration of a colourful castle and buildings in Florence, Italy

Hartmann Schedel, Florence, woodcut from the Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493

Florence and the birth of the Italian Renaissance
14 Jul 2026

ArtsNational Canberra and Charlie Hall present a lecture focusing on the ideas and culture of the Italian Renaissance, a phenomenon that emerged in the 15th century.

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
An adult and child reading a book with a dog sitting between them.
Story Dogs on Sunday
26 Jul 2026

Come along on the last Sunday of each month for a paw-sitive reading experience with the Story Dogs program.

Event
Storytime
Education/learning
For kids and families
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
A woman with blonde hair and glasses leaning on a purple portrait in a studio with some Indigenous posters behind her.

Alison Alder

Winter Tales presents Alison Alder
26 Jul 2026

The National Foundation for Australian Women presents Alison Alder reflecting on her life and work.

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
View all events

Exhibition

Red text reading 'Wangka Wakanutja' on a yellow background
Wangka Wakaṉutja: The Story of the Papunya Literature Production Centre
04 Apr 2026 - 31 Jan 2027

Explore the decades-long, remarkable efforts of the Papunya community to record language and culture and keep it alive. 

Exhibition
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Speaker with a line through it Speaker with a line through it
Quiet hours 9:00am - 11:00am
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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

Visit us

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

Plan your visit