The Library celebrated the 2012 National Year of Reading with the official launch by Prime Minister Julia Gillard on 14 February. Hosted by ABC TV's Jennifer Byrne, the day featured actor and writer William McInnes, Australian Children's Laureate Boori Monty Pryor, as well as presentations by Arts Minister Simon Crean and School Education Minister Peter Garrett.

The Library proudly supports the year-long campaign, which aims to promote books, reading and literacy through programs and events taking place across Australia.

Find out more

We were delighted to welcome the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, for a personal viewing of Handwritten last week. Director-General Anne-Marie Schwirtlich and Exhibitions Director Nat Williams took Ms Bryce on a tour of the extraordinary manuscripts on display.

The exhibition, closing on 18 March, features 100 unique manuscript treasures from the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, including works by Mozart, Galileo and Einstein.

Exhibition entry is free but tickets are essential
Bookings: 02 6262 1271 or online

Venture into the Library at night, with exhibition viewings, musical performances, films and events taking place every Thursday evening until 18 March.

From 6 pm, visitors can enjoy musical performances by the Handwritten Ensemble, followed by films about key figures in the exhibition, and talks by scholars, curators and collectors discussing the ideas that have shaped Western culture.

Download the full Handwritten Night Program

Book now for upcoming events

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See the Library in a whole new light during ENLIGHTEN, a magical program of Canberra events over four nights in March. Activities will include spectacular architectural projections, musical performances and special late-night openings at over 11 attractions.

Each night of ENLIGHTEN, we'll be hosting stunning light shows, special evening sessions of Handwritten and the Treasures Gallery, plus an exciting program of films and music.

Find out more and book tickets

Our Treasures Gallery welcomed its 50,000th visitor last week. Three friends from Wangaratta, Faye Dreher, Eunice Cardwell and Marj Hoysted, visited on 2 February, with Faye recorded as number 50,001, according to our visitor tracking system.

The Treasures Gallery, which is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, features many of the Library's prized objects, including James Cook's Endeavour journal and the papers of Edward Koiki Mabo.

Find out more about our Treasures Gallery

Join mariners, academics and curators for a seminar exploring the influence of James Cook on Australian and South Pacific history. Keynote speaker Professor Iain McCalman will deliver the 2012 Kenneth Binns Lecture, ‘Captain Cook’s Environmental Crisis on the Great Barrier Reef’. Other speakers will include John Robson and Alan Frost.

Friday 24 February, 10 am–4 pm
Theatre, $40
Bookings: 02 6262 1271 or online

The 2012 Kenneth Binns Lecture is supported by Mrs Alison Sanchez

Have fun making letter patterns in ink with Jill Robertson, a Canberra calligrapher with over 20 years of teaching experience. Jill will introduce young artists to the delights of calligraphy by using an item from Handwritten as an example to follow. An equipment kit will be provided on the day. Suitable for ages 9 to 15.

Sunday 26 February, 10.30 am–1 pm
Conference Room, $60 (includes all materials)
Bookings: 03 6229 9727 or gblack@pcug.org.au  

Image: Courtesy Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin - Preussischer Kulturbesitz

Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography

Researching the history of science? This resource provides information on the professional lives of scientists, engineers, inventors and mathematicians, from classical antiquity to modern times.

Use your Library Card to access the Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography

Don’t have a Library Card? Register online

The Playbill and its People
By Gillian Russell

The National Library's 1796 playbill, Australia's earliest known printed document, offers tantalising glimpses of the social and cultural life of the early colony. What is the significance of the plays performed? Who were the players and their audiences? What kind of theatre did they play in? Historian Gillian Russell answers these questions and more in this fascinating illustrated account of the playbill's history and significance.

RRP $24.95

Available from our Online BookShop