A variety of books and gifts displayed nicely on a table in front of stained glass windows.
Books and gifts from the Bookshop

Start planning your summer holidays with events happening at the Library. Highlights include our annual Bookshop Christmas shopping event and a new collection-in-focus exhibition.

Also, be sure to catch our current major exhibition, Grit & Gold: Tales from a Sporting Nation, before the full-time whistle sounds on Sunday 28 January 2024.

Program

  • William Yang’s Mardi Gras
    From Wednesday 6 December | 9.00am to 5.00pm daily (except Christmas Day, Monday 25 December) | Entry free
    William Yang is an iconic and celebrated Australian photographer, performer, artist and filmmaker. Starting his career in fashion photography, he quickly turned to social documentary photography.  
    This collection-in-focus display highlights William Yang’s photography of Sydney Mardi Gras festivals between 1981 and 2003. The 24 images on display explore four themes: Protest, Community, Art and Remembrance.
     
  • Late night Christmas shopping
    Thursday 7 December | 5.00pm to 8.30pm
    Yule pick up a bargain this year at our Bookshop Christmas shopping evening! Join us for discounts, local children’s author book reading, product maker talks, Christmas carols, gift wrapping and free activities in the Foyer. Our experienced staff will be available to assist with advice and recommendations. 
    Bookplate Cafe will also stay open until 8pm on the night for coffee, drinks, cakes and light meals.
     
  • Grit & Gold: Tales from a Sporting Nation
    Until Sunday 28 January | 9.00am to 5.00pm daily (except Christmas Day, Monday 25 December) | Entry free
    Every weekend, sporting contests across the country generate stories that we tell and retell. ‘What an amazing catch!’; ‘I can’t believe that come back!’; ‘The crowd is going wild!’. Some stories go on to become part of the nation’s popular imagination, and it is these stories that are explored in Grit & Gold.
    A selection of Emma McKeon’s gold medals from various Olympic and Commonwealth Games; the outfit worn by Ash Barty during her victorious 2021 Wimbledon campaign; an autographed cricket bat used by Don Bradman; the ‘State of Origin’ shield awarded from 1980 to 1991 depicting Brett Kenny and Wally Lewis; and an Olympic torch from the Sydney 2000 Olympics are among the highlights on display.  

Stay tuned for information about our Sports and games school holiday activity as well, taking place on Tuesday 23 January 2024. Running between 10am and 3pm, you’ll be able to come and try your hand at a range of sports, games and activities provided by local sports clubs and organisations.

For more information about each event and bookings please visit the relevant event webpages.

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