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Geoffrey Bolton's speech at the launch of the National Library's 100th Anniversary Program

June | July | August | September | October | November | December

JUNE 2001

Canberra—Old National Library Interior
R.C. Strangman Collection

Centenary Exhibition at Parliament House

2 June – 22 August 2001
Parliament House

The National Library began its journey in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library in Melbourne. This exhibition, which opens on 2 June 2001 in the Presiding Officer's Gallery at Parliament House, traces the growth of the National Library out of the Parliamentary Library to become one of Australia's pre-eminent collecting institutions. The exhibition will feature a range of collection materials, illustrating the extraordinary development of the Library's collections and key moments in its history.

Spotlight Talk: Navigating the National Library Web Site

Wednesday 6 June, 12.30 pm
Ferguson Room, Free

Come and hear how the Library's web site can be unravelled to find the treasures it contains and the many links to other useful web sites.

Friends Event
Friends Book at Lunchtime: The Platypus Puzzle with Ann Moyal

Tuesday 12 June, 12.30 pm
Friends Lounge, Gold coin donation

Bookings recommended: (02) 6262 1698
Scientist and irrepressible author Ann Moyal has been persuaded to write Platypus by her publishers. Join the Friends to hear her talk about this recently published book.

Spotlight Talk: The Banksias Series with Celia Rosser

Wednesday 13 June, 12.30 pm
Theatre, Free

Celia Rosser was commissioned to visually document the genus Banksia by Monash University. This is a special opportunity to meet the artist and hear about the works in a special preview talk before the exhibition, The Banksias: Watercolours by Celia Rosser from the Monash University Collection, officially opens on 14 June.

Friends Event
Artists Talk and Gallery Showing The Banksias: Watercolours by Celia Rosser from the Monash University Collection

Saturday 16 June, 2.00 pm
Friends Lounge, $10 Friends; $12 others
RSVP by Wednesday 13 June: (02) 6262 1698

The culmination of a 25-year project for Monash University, this exhibition is a must for lovers of exquisite botanical art and one of Australia's most admired native flowers. Join the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney for an exclusive talk by the artist, who will be in Canberra for a short time following the opening of the exhibition.

Spotlight Talk: Picture Australia Project

Wednesday 20 June, 12.30 pm
Ferguson Room, Free

Find out how to use Picture Australia, the new web service hosted by the National Library of Australia. You can obtain access to many pictorial collections from the one search screen-bringing Australia's pictorial heritage together and to your fingertips.

A Novel Idea! Film Series
Bringing up Baby (1938)

Thursday 21 June, 6.00 pm
Theatre, Free
102 min

A classic favourite-Cary Grant plays an absent-minded anthropologist who finds his ordered life turned upside down by an encounter with an anarchic heiress played by Katherine Hepburn.

Independent Scholars Association of Australia Event
Our POWs after World War II with Dr Michael McKernan

Thursday 21 June, 5.30-7.00 pm
Friend's Lounge
Enquiries: (02) 6262 8515

Dr McKernan, first holder of the Frederick Watson Fellowship at the National Archives of Australia, author and historian, will talk about Australian POWs after 1945.


Special Banksias Exhibition Viewing for Teachers

Tuesday 26 June, 4.30 pm
Exhibition Gallery
Free
Bookings essential: (02) 6262 1289

A special talk for teachers on The Banksias: Watercolours by Celia Rosser from the Monash University Collection exhibition. This is your opportunity to meet the National Library's Education Manager and find out how you can utilise the National Library's school tours and talks for your class. This special viewing will also include a curatorial talk in the Exhibition Gallery and refreshments.

Spotlight Talk: For the People and Parliament: Commonwealth Parliamentary Library-National Library of Australia 1901-2001

Wednesday 27 June, 12.30 pm
Presiding Officer's Gallery, Parliament House,
Free
Further information: (02) 6262 1289

Find out about the shared history of the National Library of Australia and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library through the story of their first 100 years.

June | July | August | September | October | November | December

JULY 2001

Spotlight Talk: United States of America Independence Day-The National Library Connection

Wednesday 4 July, 12.30 pm
Ferguson Room
Free

The National Library has an extensive collection of American material, especially in such subject areas as government, politics, law, economics, history, and international relations. Dr Bruce Kent will talk about his use of the Library's collections for his research on the origins of the Cold War.

Friends Event: Friends Midwinter Lecture and Dinner

Friday 13 July, 6.30 pm
National Library Theatre and bookplate cafe
Free admission to the lecture; Dinner $60 pp
Booking essential: (02) 6262 1698

The lecture before dinner will be delivered this year by James Fitzpatrick, Young Australian of the Year 2001. James, a fourth-year medical student, will speak about rural health in Australia and his vision for the future.

Spotlight Talk: The History of Botanical Illustration with Helen Hewson

Wednesday 18 July, 12.30 pm
Ferguson Room,
Free

Helen Hewson, an Associate of the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, will speak about the history of botanical art and Celia Rosser's work. This talk is held in conjunction with The Banksias: Watercolours by Celia Rosser from the Monash University Collection exhibition.

Spotlight Talk: Banksias with John Nightingale

Wednesday 25 July, 12.30 pm
Ferguson Room,
Free

Join John Nightingale, curator of Living Collections at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, and learn more about banksias. This talk is held in conjunction with The Banksias: Watercolours by Celia Rosser from the Monash University Collection exhibition.

June | July | August | September | October | November | December


AUGUST 2001
Gerrit Fokema
Griffith Marsupial, Frank and Patricia Bastianon 1987
State Library of New South Wales

Belonging: A Century Celebrated

22 August–11 November 2001Developed by the National Archives of Australia, the National Library of Australia, the State Library of New South Wales and the State Library of Victoria, Belongingtells the story of a century of nationhood by drawing on the magnificent documentary heritage collections of four of Australia's most prominent cultural institutions. Exploring our sense of self and place since Federation, the exhibition invites us to think about what it means to 'belong' and 'not belong' in Australia. While in Canberra, the exhibition will be presented in two venues: the National Library of Australia and the National Archives of Australia.

Between the Sheets: A Century of Australian Music

22 August–11 November 2001

From music hall, through two World Wars, radio and television and the Internet, music has touched the lives of generations of Australians. This exhibition, highlighting the Library's largely unknown but fascinating music collection, will feature sheet music and ephemera, film footage and recordings of songs—from the songs of Federation to the anthems of rock music. A diverse public program of performances, film screenings and talks will be staged to accompany the exhibition.

Spotlight Talk: Help for Family Researchers in the General Collections of the National Library

Wednesday 1 August, 12.30 pm
Ferguson Room,
Free

There is a large collection of material of genealogical interest in the general collections of the Library. Come and find out what is available in books, journals and electronically.

Spotlight Talk: Finding the Irish in the National Library

Wednesday 8 August, 12.30 pm
Ferguson Room,
Free

Cheryl Mongan, an author and historical researcher, has used the resources of the Library, and in particular material held in the microform collection, for her research on the Irish in Australia.

Friends Event: Kenneth Myer Lecture: Professor Peter Doherty

Wednesday 8 August, 6.00 pm
Theatre,
Free
Bookings essential: (02) 6262 1698

This prestigious lecture, named for Kenneth Baillieu Myer AC, Chairman of the National Library from 1974 to 1982, will be delivered this year by the noted Australian immunologist and Nobel Prize winner, Professor Peter Doherty. The Library sees the lecture as an occasion for a statement 'of some significance' about aspects of Australian endeavour. Organised by the Friends of the National Library, the lecture will be followed by a reception.

Spotlight Talk: Help for Family Researchers in the Reference Collections of the National Library

Wednesday 15 August, 12.30 pm
Ferguson Room,
Free

There are many new reference resources available of interest to the genealogist and family historian. Staff from the Library's Information Services will show you what is available and how easy it is to access these resources.

A Novel Idea! Film Series

The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)
Thursday 16 August, 6.00 pm
Theatre,
Free
80 min plus shorts

Affected by radiation, a family man in suburbia begins to shrink so that the safe, comforting aspects of home become ever more menacing. A classic of 1950s sci-fi.

Spotlight Talk: Writing for Children

Wednesday 22 August, 12.30 pm
Ferguson Room,
Free

In celebration of Children's Book Week, come to the Library and hear about writing for children in Australia.
Public Lecture and Book Launch

Bunyips: Australia's Folklore of Fear by Robert Holden

Thursday 23 August, 5.30 pm
Theatre,
Free
Bookings recommended: (02) 6262 1289

Robert Holden, author and curator, will speak about his recently published book, Bunyips: Australia's Folklore of Fear (National Library of Australia, 2001). This is an opportunity to meet the author and hear about the process of writing about one of Australia's most elusive mythical creatures, the bunyip. Light refreshments will be served.

Independent Scholars Association of Australia Event
Alfred Russell Wallace: An Independent Scholar with Dr Ian Cowan

Thursday 23 August, 5.30-7.00 pm
Friend's Lounge,
Free
Enquiries: (02) 6262 8515

There seem to have been two Wallaces. One was the biogeographer, the man who enunciated evolution by natural selection before Darwin did. The other was a crank (his word) who dismayed contemporary scientists. Dr Cowan will explain why he believes that the two are one.

One-Day Festival
'I'd Rather Be Reading'

Saturday 25 August, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Theatre and Friend's Lounge,
Registration fee applies
Enquiries: Word Festival Office (02) 6249 7068 or email wordfest@cyberone.com.au

Hosted by the Word Festival Canberra in association with the Friends of the National Library, this year's seminar will concentrate on the theme of Belonging, to complement the Federation exhibition of that name. Join some of Canberra's most interesting writers to discuss what it means to 'belong'.

Children's Performance
'Federation on the Wallaby' and 'Tales from Gondwana' with Alex Hood

Wednesday 29 August, 10.00 am and 1.30 pm
Theatre,
Free
Bookings essential: (02) 6262 1289

Alex Hood has entertained generations of Australians with his exciting and fun children's shows. Alex will give two performances only. Be sure to book early!

Spotlight Talk: A Sense of Belonging with Roslyn Russell

Wednesday 29 August, 12.30 pm
Exhibition Gallery,
Free

Explore the Belonging exhibition with curator, Roslyn Russell. This exhibition, developed for the Centenary of Federation by the National Archives of Australia, the National Library of Australia, and the State Libraries of New South Wales and Victoria, tells the story of a century of nationhood and what it means to be Australian.

June | July | August | September | October | November | December

SEPTEMBER 2001

The National Library Open Day

Sunday, 23 September

Help us celebrate our 100th birthday at the National Library's Open Day. Find out why the National Library is so much more than books. Explore the stacks area where more than four million books and objects are held. Meet Charlie—our robotic book trolley—on our Behind-the-Scenes tours. Find out how our Preservation Section ensures the long life of our many treasures. Take a look at our family genealogy services and join us for a day of celebration.

June | July | August | September | October | November | December

OCTOBER 2001

The Secret Self: Exploring Biography and Autobiography

19-20 October

A major National Library conference, The Secret Self will provide an insight into the worlds of biography and autobiography. Some of Australia's most intriguing authors will be invited to reveal the fascinating role of biography in re-inventing the private as public, uncovering family mystery, examining the role of memory and revealing the use of biography, memoir and journalism in capturing political life.

June | July | August | September | October | November | December

DECEMBER 2001

Treasures from the World's Great Libraries—The Exhibition

Opening 7 December 2001

The National Library is the home of many of Australia's greatest treasures, such as the Endeavour journal of Captain James Cook. In 2001, the world's major libraries will help us celebrate our anniversary through the exhibition Treasures from the World's Great Libraries. Treasures from the World's Great Libraries is the first exhibition of its kind and will be the cultural highlight on Australia's 2001–2002 calendar of events. Libraries, such as the British Library, the National Library of China, the Library of Congress and the Jewish National University and Library, are lending some of their most precious items and objects to join our own—bringing together for the first time in history the wonders of human culture, endeavour and learning.

 

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