Due to scheduled maintenance, the National Library’s online services will be unavailable between 8pm on Saturday 7 December and 11am on Sunday 8 December (AEDT). Find out more.
The Treasures Gallery showcases the extraordinary holdings of the National Library of Australia. Our vast collection is primarily composed of documentary resources of national significance relating to Australia and the Australian people. While the Library has millions of books, we also collect other items. From maps and books to manuscripts, photographs, paintings and ephemera, the Treasures Gallery is where you can view some of the Library’s most important, popular and unique items.
A highlight of the new Gallery is a display about the history of the Library and its much-loved building. Other new exhibits tell stories relating to Australian democracy, such as Australia’s first Indigenous parliamentarian, Senator Neville Bonner AO, and the work of suffragist Nellie Martel. A display of objects celebrating the preeminent author Patrick White, Australia’s sole Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature, offers a window into the Library’s holdings related to Australian writers.
The Treasures Gallery is free and open every day, except Christmas Day and Good Friday.
The Library warmly thanks our Treasures Gallery supporters. Their generosity has made it possible to bring these treasures to life for the whole community.