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A man and woman sitting on couches recording an oral history interview
Add your story to the record of Australian responses to COVID-19
17 Feb 2025

The National Library is recording interviews with a diverse range of Australians to ensure that stories of the COVID-19 pandemic are captured for present and future generations.

News
Three leatherbound diaries from the nineteenth century, one open showing neat handwriting
Starting a new life in Australia: Nineteenth century diaries of migrants from the United Kingdom
17 Feb 2025

Explore handwritten diaries that can now be read online.

Blog
White poster with orange lines and simple illustrations of men and women in suits. Large orange text reads 'Diplomacy' and small black text encourages graduates to become diplomats.

Department of Foreign Affairs, Diplomacy, 1984, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-133715662

Insights into Australian diplomatic history
17 Feb 2025

Join us in discovering a selection of items from the Library’s collection which speak to the fascinating history of Australian diplomacy.

Blog
Hands typing on a keyboard
Upcoming scheduled online maintenance in March and April 2025
12 Feb 2025

The National Library is undertaking scheduled online maintenance throughout March and April.

News
Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue sitting in an armchair and smiling

Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue, image by Leanna King, courtesy of the Lowitja Institute

Speeches of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue now available online
04 Feb 2025

The Library has recently digitised the speeches of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG.

News

What's on

Grey background with white text reading 'Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Archive' and a black and white photo of two men working on a large ship propeller
Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Photo Archive selected by Mike Bowers
27 Feb - 20 Jul 2025

Explore the art of photojournalism with highlights from the Fairfax Photo Archive selected by renowned Australian photojournalist Mike Bowers.

Exhibition
Exhibition Gallery
Coming soon
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Assistance animals welcome
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
On the left, a book cover with a light grey background, a painting of an older man, paint splatters, and text reading 'Tom McIlroy',' Blue Poles' and 'Jackson Pollock, Gough Whitlam and the painting that changed a nation'
Book launch: Blue Poles by Tom McIlroy
03 Mar 2025

Join journalist Tom McIlroy as he discusses his book 'Blue Poles'.

Event
Books and authors
Book launch
Man, Gary Humpheries, wearing a suit with a stern expression
Canberra Day Oration 2025: Gary Humphries AO
12 Mar 2025

The Canberra & District Historical Society proudly present the 2025 Canberra Day Oration.

Event
Talks and ideas
Black and white photograph of playwright Millicent Armstrong and two horses. On the bottom left corner a purple circle with white text reading 'Friends Event' has been photoshopped on.

Millicent Armstrong with horses at her Gunning property, courtesy Lucy Knight.

Discovering Millicent Armstrong with Dianna Nixon
19 Mar 2025

Join the Friends of the National Library and Dianna Nixon as she shares with us her 9 year journey uncovering the life and work of the playwright, Millicent Armstrong.

Event
Friends of the Library event
Talks and ideas

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