Workshops & courses
The State Library of New South Wales provides a range of workshops and courses both for the public and library industry professionals.
Bookings and prepayment are strongly advised for all events and courses. Please inform the Events Liaison Officer of any special requirements, or arrangements for people with a disability.
Costs for workshops, seminars and courses include GST.
Please note that some workshops or courses need to be booked via an external agency; where this is the case, it will be indicated in the workshop or course details.
Wednesday 22 May, 10.00 AM
Course: Social Networking for Beginners
Communicate with friends and family and make new contacts using two of the most popular social networking sites on the web: Facebook and Twitter. Set up a Facebook page and a Twitter account. Learn how to read and send messages, read and contribute to live updates, make new friends and see how each site provides its own unique online networking experience. You will need an email account before attending the course.This event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Thursday 30 May, 9.30 AM
Talk: Preserving Photographs
A seminar dedicated to the long-term care of printed photographs. The emphasis will be on archival storage, with tips on what materials to use and where to find them. Participants are welcome to bring along one or two family photographs to discuss their care with a Library conservator.This event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Friday 7 June, 10.00 AM
Workshop: Climb your family tree
Join us for five Family History Fridays. This short course will take you from starting your family history through to finding out all the details of your ancestors' lives. Was your ancestor a convict? When did the family first arrive in Australia? Where did they come from? Learn how to find this information for yourself and all the tips and tricks in climbing your family tree. This course will include a tour of the Society of Australian Genealogists library. Presented in association with the Society of Australian GenealogistsThis event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Friday 14 June, 10.00 AM
Workshop: Climb your family tree
Join us for five Family History Fridays. This short course will take you from starting your family history through to finding out all the details of your ancestors' lives. Was your ancestor a convict? When did the family first arrive in Australia? Where did they come from? Learn how to find this information for yourself and all the tips and tricks in climbing your family tree. This course will include a tour of the Society of Australian Genealogists library. Presented in association with the Society of Australian GenealogistsThis event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Thursday 20 June, 10.30 AM
Talk: Reliving the 60's
Remember miniskirts, bell-bottoms, flower children, anti-Vietnam War protests, Pettit & Sevitt project homes? The swinging sixties were a time of great social change in Australia. They heralded the start of women’s liberation, the conservation movement and a popular culture increasingly influenced by international trends. Come to reminisce or discover an era you missed out on! Magazines, newspapers, posters, diaries and much more from the swinging 60s will be on display.This event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Friday 21 June, 10.00 AM
Workshop: Climb your family tree
Join us for five Family History Fridays. This short course will take you from starting your family history through to finding out all the details of your ancestors' lives. Was your ancestor a convict? When did the family first arrive in Australia? Where did they come from? Learn how to find this information for yourself and all the tips and tricks in climbing your family tree. This course will include a tour of the Society of Australian Genealogists library. Presented in association with the Society of Australian GenealogistsThis event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Friday 28 June, 10.00 AM
Workshop: Climb your family tree
Join us for five Family History Fridays. This short course will take you from starting your family history through to finding out all the details of your ancestors' lives. Was your ancestor a convict? When did the family first arrive in Australia? Where did they come from? Learn how to find this information for yourself and all the tips and tricks in climbing your family tree. This course will include a tour of the Society of Australian Genealogists library. Presented in association with the Society of Australian GenealogistsThis event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Friday 5 July, 10.00 AM
Workshop: Climb your family tree
Join us for five Family History Fridays. This short course will take you from starting your family history through to finding out all the details of your ancestors' lives. Was your ancestor a convict? When did the family first arrive in Australia? Where did they come from? Learn how to find this information for yourself and all the tips and tricks in climbing your family tree. This course will include a tour of the Society of Australian Genealogists library. Presented in association with the Society of Australian GenealogistsThis event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Monday 15 July, 10.00 AM
Workshop: Reading Yesterday's News
Join us for this hands-on workshop and learn more about the State Library’s newspaper collection and its strengths. Discover how to find newspapers in our computer catalogue, via our electronic databases and on the internet. Find out how you can access newspaper databases at home using your Library card. Explore selected historical and contemporary newspaper databases and take a guided tour of Australian Newspapers 1803–1954, available via the National Library of Australia’s Trove service. Basic computing skills are required.This event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Thursday 25 July, 4.00 PM
Workshop: Online resources for teachers
These authentic online information resources are for busy teachers. Explore the State Library’s extraordinary online collections and resources which are ready for classroom use. A competent level of computer literacy is assumed.This event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Tuesday 6 August, 10.00 AM
Workshop: Uncover and Discover - Exploring the Library's Website
A hands-on workshop providing first-time users with an overview of the services and resources available from the State Library website. Explore highlights of the Library’s historical and contemporary collections, take a guided tour of the catalogues and browse our exhibitions and events. Basic computing skills are required.This event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Thursday 5 September, 10.00 AM
Course: Social Networking for Beginners
Communicate with friends and family and make new contacts using two of the most popular social networking sites on the web: Facebook and Twitter. Set up a Facebook page and a Twitter account. Learn how to read and send messages, read and contribute to live updates, make new friends and see how each site provides its own unique online networking experience. You will need an email account before attending the course.This event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Friday 6 September, 10.30 AM
Workshop: Welcome to the World of Ebooks
Not sure where to start with ebooks? Join us for a hands-on workshop exploring ebooks and ereaders. Find out how to use an ereader, phone or tablet to read ebooks. Explore the Library's ebook collections and learn how to download ebooks from popular websites.This event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Tuesday 10 September, 10.30 AM
Talk: Rediscovering old Sydney
Join State Library staff and take a look at the shifting fortunes of an inner-Sydney locality, discovering in the process the rich collections that can be used for historical research. From oral histories to manuscripts, maps and photographs, many tools can be used to uncover the history of a particular place. Practise using the Library’s catalogues and other search tools, and discover the many formats that can be researched to discover old Sydney. A selection of unique collection items will be on display.This event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Thursday 12 September, 9.30 AM
Workshop: Preserving Your Family History
A seminar dedicated to the long-term care of documents, family photographs, letters and diaries. The emphasis will be on archival storage; with tips on what materials to use and where to find them. Participants are welcome to bring along one or two items of family memorabilia to discuss their care with a Library conservator.This event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Friday 13 September, 10.00 AM
Workshop: Reading Yesterday's News
Join us for this hands-on workshop and learn more about the State Library’s newspaper collection and its strengths. Discover how to find newspapers in our computer catalogue, via our electronic databases and on the internet. Find out how you can access newspaper databases at home using your Library card. Explore selected historical and contemporary newspaper databases and take a guided tour of Australian Newspapers 1803–1954, available via the National Library of Australia’s Trove service. Basic computing skills are required.This event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Tuesday 17 September, 10.30 AM
Workshop: An anatomy of a rare map
Maps can tell us more than simply how to get from here to there. This hands-on workshop will use examples from the Library’s extensive map collections to reveal the key elements of a map — from cartouche to neat line.This event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Wednesday 9 October, 10.30 AM
Workshop: Starting family history research
Family history can reveal surprising and sometimes moving lost stories that enhance an individual's understanding of who they are. Family history librarians will provide an introductory program on the State Library’s diverse family history collections. The sessions will focus on how to access a wealth of resources for beginners and beyond. Some unique, rarely seen collection items will be highlighted.This event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Tuesday 15 October, 4.00 PM
Workshop: Online resources for teachers
These authentic online information resources are for busy teachers. Explore the State Library’s extraordinary online collections and resources which are ready for classroom use. A competent level of computer literacy is assumed.This event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
Monday 11 November, 9.30 AM
Workshop: Preserving your family history
A seminar dedicated to the long-term care of documents, family photographs, letters and diaries. The emphasis will be on archival storage, with tips on what materials to use and where to find them. Participants are welcome to bring along one or two items of family memorabilia to discuss their care with a Library conservator.This event is part of the Lifelong Learning series.
