Spring has sprung at the National Library of Australia and there is plenty to keep you entertained online and onsite this season.
Online
Whether you're still in lockdown, interstate or otherwise unable to make it to your National Library, join the #NLADigitalCommunity and dive into our online offerings.
Puzzles using the collection
We've created some online puzzles using our collections so that anyone and everyone can join our online community at home! From Ellis Rowan watercolours to images from NLA Publishing children's book, Trouble in the Surf, and farm animals–there's a puzzle for everyone.
Watch, Read and Listen
From the cover reveal of new NLA Publishing release, Searching For Charlotte by Kate Forsyth and Belinda Murrell, to a blog about some of the Great Speeches from the Library's Oral History collection, to the podcast of recent event, Are You Board Yet?, our What's On page has a selection of curated content to keep you entertained for hours.
You can also dive into our current exhibitions online, and view an online tour of Birds of Paradise: Ellis Rowan in New Guinea, or take a look at the Regional Cities and Major Towns Project wall opening the Australian Dreams: Picturing our Built World exhibition.
Learn
While we are coming up to the school holidays, school's in at our Digital Classroom. Discover free, online learning resources aligned with the Australian Curriculum and broken down across primary and secondary year levels for easy access.
Explore
Whether you are looking to uncover your family history, continue researching your favourite subject or uncover something new, explore the Library online from home via Trove, the National Library catalogue and eResources. You can also continue to Ask a Librarian for help with research questions or navigating our collections.
Onsite
If you're in Canberra or the surrounding areas, we look forward to welcoming you to your National Library.
Exhibition Galleries
Our Exhibition Galleries are open every day. Entry is free to our Galleries and you do not need to book a ticket.
Come in and explore our Australian Dreams: Picturing Our Built World exhibition which tells the story of how artists have documented, interpreted, and celebrated a variety of buildings through image, through our history.
See the watercolours that have us all a-flutter in the Birds of Paradise: Ellis Rowan in New Guinea exhibition, showcasing 13 of Ellis Rowan’s most exquisite watercolour paintings of Birds of Paradise. Also on display are a selection of plate designs featuring smaller representations of the Birds of Paradise and other biographical items relating to Ellis Rowan.
Make time to also visit our Treasures Gallery, featuring some of the extraordinary items the National Library has the privilege of holding in our Collections, including the torch of the XVI Olympiad held in Melbourne in 1956 and a Sydney 2000 Olympic torch.
Bookshop
As the nation’s specialist Australian bookshop, our shop stocks a superb range of Australian fiction, non-fiction and children’s literature titles, including the complete range of books produced by NLA Publishing.
Our selection of gifts and merchandise are sourced both locally and interstate and feature the work from a range of Australian Artists. Enjoy this unique shopping experience both in-store and online.
Reading Rooms
The Main Reading Room is open every day. The Special Collections Reading Room and Petherick Reading Room are open Monday to Saturday. Please check the opening hours before your visit as the hours vary for each room. Note there are no collection deliveries on weekends.
Bookplate Cafe
Bookplate is open from 9am to 3pm every day – reservations are required.
