Learning at the Library
The Library is an ideal destination for teachers with primary or secondary school-aged students exploring Australian History and Culture, Civics and Citizenship, English and visual literacy, Information and communication . To assist groups in the use of this rich resource, fun informative events, workshops, presentations and tours are available to support all curriculum topics.

Getting started
If you are visiting the Library for the first time see our page for new users, and explore resources in our Reading Rooms. If you want to take a quick look around the building, and see its facilities and artwork, visit the online image gallery.
Reader education
Reader Education are special sessions conducted regularly for Library users. These sessions help readers use the Library's website and collections, request books from home, search the catalogue effectively and link to licensed resources in the Library.
School programs and guided tours
Find out about the range of different school programs and tours available for visiting primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities
General public tours of the National Library's unique exhibitions and secret librarian's business behind the scenes are also available for members of the public
Planning your school visit
To make your visit to the National Library of Australia as enjoyable and beneficial as possible, please read and consider our policies and procedures before making a group booking to visit the Library's non-public spaces, reading rooms, collection areas or exhibition gallery.
For teachers
Teacher’s know-how: Library skill sessions
- availabilty: we visit you - you pick the day and time!
- bookings: 02 6262 1271 or bookings@nla.gov.au
- cost: free to schools, at your place or ours
Incorporate a morning at the Library into your schools PD opportunities in 2008. Contact education staff at the Library to find reader education presentations are on offer and can be tailored for your school requirements.
Interpreting Shakespeare: A Free Forum
- availabilty: Friday 21 November, 1 – 4.30pm
- bookings: 1300 305 730 or education@bellshakespeare.com.au
- location: Theatre
- cost: free
An opportunity for teachers to observe new ideas and innovative ways to entertain, educate and inspire primary and secondary students when teaching Shakespeare. Guest speakers from ACT Department of Education with Bell Shakespeare’s creative team.
Teacher Exhibition Preview Evenings
- availabilty: Thursday 27 November, 4 – 6pm
- bookings: 02 6262 1271 or bookings@nla.gov.au
- location: Theatre
- cost: free
Enjoy a glass of wine, relax and learn about education programs, special collections, and new exhibition Brutal Tender Human Animal - Roger Ballen photography by Roger Ballen.
Digital Education using the Library
- availabilty: Friday 19 February, 4 - 6pm
- bookings: 02 6262 1271 or bookings@nla.gov.au
- location: IT Tiraining Rooms 1 & 2
- cost: free
Increasingly, cultural expression in Australia is in digital form. An introduction to the latest electronic resources available for use at home or school, including the Australian Newspapers Beta service.

For students
Student days in 2009
- availabilty: you pick the day and time!
- bookings: 02 6262 1271 or bookings@nla.gov.au
- location: Conference Rooms and Training rooms
- cost: $5 per student, maximum class size of 30
An opportunity for your school class to examine primary resources available in the Library's collection or on display. Use them as a starting point to discuss, explore and analyse critical issues in Australia's history. Learn to identify, order and retrieve similar Library materials. Suitable for secondary students.
Digital collections and online resources
Focus on learning with online resources supported by the National Library.
Visit the Library's own digital collections to discover James Cook's Endeavour journal, Prime Minister Edmund Barton's papers, early Australian newspapers, scores for Waltzing Matilda and Advance Australia Fair, early Dutch charts of Terra Australis, and designs illustrating Walter Burley Griffin's vision for Canberra.
Discover Australia's shared online resources in National Library databases. Many sources are available to help you - published books, original documents, maps, photographs, pictures, sound, film and internet.
For kids and families
For more information about the Library's program of school holiday events, fun films, games and activities for children and families join our mailing list education@nla.gov.au.
Be a library detective!

- A new children’s trail is designed to lead children and families through the Library’s artworks and the reading rooms. Collect your free copy at reception.
Christmas Storytime (ages 4-5)
- availabilty: Friday 19 December 2008, 11.00am - 11.45am
- bookings: 02 6262 1271 or bookings@nla.gov.au
- location: Brindabella Room
- cost: Gold coin donation
Storytelling with an Australian Christmas theme. Bring a packed lunch and stay for a movie.
Summer Storytime (ages 4-5)
- availabilty: Wednesday 28 January, Wednesday 18 February 2009, 11 - 11.45am
- bookings: 02 6262 1271 or bookings@nla.gov.au
- location: Brindabella Room
- cost: Gold coin donation
A captivating morning for eager young readers, with songs, stories and craft, inspired by Australian children's authors. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Bushrangers get booked (ages 8-12)
- availabilty: Wednesday 14 January, 11am - 12.30pm
- bookings: 02 6262 1271 or bookings@nla.gov.au
- location: Brindabella Room
- cost: $10
Stories of infamous bushrangers, stagecoach hold ups, and narrow escapes are all recorded in the Library's Collection. See Ned Kelly's Wanted poster, Ben Hall's revolver, Captain Moonlite's lantern and evidence to help re-enact the moments of crime!

Cool Librarians (ages 6-8)
- availabilty: Wednesday 21 January, 11 am – 12.30 pm
- bookings: 02 6262 1271 or bookings@nla.gov.au
- location: Brindabella Room
- cost: $5
Meet Prue Theroux the very cool library, find out about Decimal Dewey's great idea, and discover all the things Librarians do in Australia's biggest Library!
Summer school holiday films
Blinky Bill's White Christmas (2005), 80 mins, G
- availabilty: Friday 19 December, 12.30pm
- bookings: RSVP to join our mailing list for kids' activities: education@nla.gov.au
- location: Theatre
- cost: gold coin donation
Join Blinky Bill and his firneds as they celebrate a magic traditional European White Christmas in the Australian Bush.
Ginger Meggs (1982) 103 mins, G
- availabilty: Wednesday 14 January, 2pm
- bookings: RSVP to join our mailing list for kids' activities: education@nla.gov.au
- location: Theatre
- cost: gold coin donation
The escapades of Ginger Meggs, local schoolboy larrikin as he tries to win the heart of Minnie Peters, but his rival Eddie Coogan, and bully Tiger Kelly make life tough for him. Besides, there's fishing to be done!
Let the Balloon Go (1976), 92 mins, PG
- availabilty: Friday 16 January, 2pm
- bookings: RSVP to join our mailing list for kids' activities - education@nla.gov.au
- cost: Theatre
- cost: gold coin donation
Set in 1917 in a small Australian country town, a young handicapped boy struggles to prove to family and friends he can be independant and treated like any other boy.
Fatty Finn (1980), 91 mins, G
- availabilty: Wednesday 21 January, 2pm
- bookings: RSVP to join our mailing list for kids' activities: education@nla.gov.au
- location: Theatre
- cost: gold coin donation
Based on the cartoon set in 1920s Sydney, the capers of Fatty Finn as he raises money to buy a radio and encounters mishaps with a gang of bullies.
Joey (1997), 90 mins, G
- availabilty: Wednesday 28 January, 12.30pm
- bookings: RSVP to join our mailing list for kids' activities: education@nla.gov.au
- location: Theatre
- cost: gold coin donation
A young boy boards a train to reunite a baby kangaroo with his abducted parents, and begins a hilarious adventure thorugh city streets and the halls of government, finding a best friend and justice on the way.
For teens and adults
Whether you want to learn something new or participate in fun social activities and entertainment, the Library offers exciting events and activities. Find out what's on and select from our listing of workshops, talks, lectures, films and performances, conferences available during Summer 2008 - 2009, as well as our exhibition program.
Drawing with the camera obscura
- availabilty: Tuesday 28 January 2009, 2 – 5 pm
- bookings: 02 6262 1271 or bookings@nla.gov.au
- location: Conference Room
- cost: $90 per participant
Artist David Hodges explores the uses of this unique drawing device. The workshop includes examples and demonstrations. Cameras and some materials supplied. Ring for details on what you’ll need to bring.
For ages 12 years and over.
Making easy photo albums
- availabilty: Saturday 7 February 2009, 12.30pm - 4.30 pm
- bookings: 02 6262 1207 or bookings@nla.gov.au
- location: Conference Room
- cost: $170/ or $150 Friends of the Library
Artist David Hodges teaches you to make a range of small, stitched albums suitable for photographs, using simple elegant Japanese techniques. Includes demonstrations and some materials. Ring for details on what you’ll need to bring.
For ages 12 and over

