Children and families are well catered-for at the National Library this April. Immerse yourself in the captivating tale of The Colt from Old Regret, discover photographic techniques of old, and take a tour of the building as part of the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival.

We are also joined on the last Sunday of every month by Story Dogs, hosting reading sessions for 7 to 12-year-olds with volunteers and their accredited dogs, creating a nurturing environment for children to practice reading aloud.

Program

Research skills webinar

Tuesday 1 April | 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Free

Whether your students are keen to prepare for Seriously Social’s Great Student Debate, or ready to delve into Trove for incredible primary source research, this webinar will get your students thinking and ready to research. This program is targeted towards students in senior secondary school.

The Australian Dream? With Tim Ross

Thursday 3 April and Friday 4 April | 7:00pm to 8:30pm | $49.00 per person + $5.50 booking fee

Second date added due to popular demand! In The Australian Dream? Tim Ross casts his discerning eye across the archival treasures of our much-loved public libraries and uncovers the telling images that reveal a multi-decade story of Australian homes.

Book Launch: The Colt from Old Regret

Saturday 5 April | 10:30am to 11:30am | Free

Join beloved children’s author Dianne Wolfer and illustrator Erica Wagner for an immersive read-through of this new classic, followed by a hands-on crafting activity where children can collage their own horse. On Friday 4 April we are hosting a free interactive online learning session with the author and illustrator – How to Make a Book.

Olive Cotton & Wolfgang Sievers with Helen Ennis

Tuesday 8 April | 2:00pm to 4:00pm | $18 Friends members | $22 non-members

Renowned photographic historian Helen Ennis shares the stories of some of her favourite images from these iconic artists. This event from the Friends of the National Library celebrates the publication of the latest books in the Artists of the National Library series, showcasing the work of two of Australia’s most respected photographers.

Privateers and piracy in the Pacific

Thursday 10 April | 6:00pm to 8:00pm | Free

Join maritime historian Chris Maxworthy for an exploration of the early interactions of colonial Australia with Peru and Chile (1788-1810).

School holiday activity: ‘Fit to Photoprint’ workshop

Wednesday 23 April | 10:00am to 12:00pm | $15 per participant

To coincide with our Fit to Print exhibition, we're partnering with photo access ACT to present a special school holiday workshop on cyanotype printing. Participants will explore the Fit to Print exhibition and experience producing a cyanotype sun print. Cyanotyping is a very early photo imaging process developed in the 1840s using UV light, and (harmless) chemical reaction patterns to capture shapes.

Curator tour: Fit to Print exhibition

Wednesday 23 April and Wednesday 30 April | 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Free

Join curator Allister Mills for a behind the scenes tour of our new exhibition Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Photo Archive. This event is held as part of the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival.

Sunday storytime with Story Dogs

Sunday 27 April | 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Free

Join the Story Dogs for reading sessions on the last Sunday of every month.

National Library of Australia: Behind the scenes tour

Tuesday 29 April | 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Free

Join us for a special architectural tour of our iconic heritage building. This event is held as part of the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival.

Life behind the lens

Tuesday 29 April | 6:00pm to 7:15pm | Free

Join veteran photojournalist Mike Bowers in conversation with two of Australia’s greatest photographers, Lorrie Graham, and Rick Stevens, as they lift the curtain on their profession.

To arrange an interview with a spokesperson about any event, please contact 0401 226 697 or media@nla.gov.au.

Contact

Mirelle O'Mara, Media Liaison, National Library of Australia

M: 0401 226 697  

E: media@nla.gov.au