Events & talks
Public events at the State Library of New South Wales include talks and seminars on literary, historical and contemporary issues, together with presentations about, and showings of, the Library's rich collections.
Wednesday 6 August, 5.30 pm for 6.00 PM
Simone Weil lecture:
Uprootedness, narratives and national conflict
Speaker Jonathan Glover is one of the world’s most distinguished moral philosophers, interested in global ethics, questions raised by the human genome project and ethical issues in psychiatry.
Thursday 7 August, 12.30 pm to 1.30 PM
Growing old (dis)gracefully
Find out what life’s like on the other side of 50 from prominent Australians who share their stories with humour and insight.
Thursday 14 August, 6.00 pm for 6.30 PM
How to be a famous artist by 30!
Acclaimed art critic and writer John McDonald reveals the secrets to success in the cutthroat world of art. He is joined by R Ian Lloyd, photographer and creator of Studio — an exhibition, book and DVD featuring leading Australian artists in their studio environment.
Wednesday 20 August, 10.00 am to 10.45 am, 11.15 am to 12 noon and 1.00 pm to 1.30 PM
Celebrate Children’s Book Week at the Library
Bring your children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces to celebrate with the popular ABC for Kids characters Postman Pat and Peter Rabbit. Listen to story sessions with guest reader and Play School host Jay Laga’aia.Monday 25 August, 5.30 pm for 6.00 PM
The remarkable First Fleet journals
Curator Louise Anemaat explores the Library’s invaluable journals — Australia’s foundation documents. The talk is illustrated and a selection of the journals will be on display.
Tuesday 26 August, 5.30 pm for 6.00 PM
The worst intentions by Alessandro Piperno
An exclusive Sydney talk with multi-award-winning author Alessandro Piperno.
Thursday 28 August, 12.30 pm to 1.30 PM
The happiness trap
A growing body of scientific research suggests that we are all caught in a powerful psychological trap whereby the more we strive for happiness, the more we suffer.Thursday 28 August, 5.30 pm for 6.00 PM
Lorenzo Montesini on film
The most popular art form of the twentieth century was the movies. Cultural sleuth Lorenzo Montesini, using one film from the middle of the century, shows us why.
Tuesday 2 September, 12.30 pm to 1.30 PM
Studio: Australian painters photographed by R Ian Lloyd
Gallery talk
Engage with critic John McDonald and photographer R Ian Lloyd as they discuss the making of their exhibition
Thursday 4 September, 12.30 pm to 1.30 PM
The dressmaker’s daughter
Kate Llewellyn chats about her life and reads from her book, which is written with a poet’s touch.
Tuesday 9 September, 12.30 pm to 1.30 PM
Medieval medicine
Dr Carmel Bendon Davis, specialist in the medieval period, will talkabout potions, procedures and medicines of the time, and about those who practised.
Wednesday 10 September, 12 noon for 12.30 pm to 2.00 PM
History Week
Griffith Taylor's Antarctica
Antarctica held remarkable promise for explorer and geographer Griffith Taylor, a member of Scott’s expedition.
Thursday 11 September, 5.30 pm for 6.00 PM
History Week
Miles Franklin’s first play:
The survivors
The survivors
Thursday 18 September, 6 pm to 8 pm artists’ talk at 7.00 PM
Studio stories II
In this special exhibition viewing, artists Wendy Sharpe and Angus Nivison invite you inside their amazing studios and talk candidly about their day-to-day life, travel and artistic influences.
Tuesday 23 September, 5.30 pm for 6.00 PM
The spice of life
Spices are hot right now!
Thursday 25 September, 5.30 pm for 6.00 PM
The medieval garden
Renowned horticulturalist and garden historian Judyth McLeod’s gives an illustrated talk about her book, In a unicorn’s garden, which recreates the mystery and magic of medieval gardens.
Monday 29 September, 12.30 pm to 1.30 PM
Anne of Green Gables
Susannah Fullerton looks at the lasting appeal of Anne of Green Gables, now celebrating the 100th year of its publication, and analyses the life of its extraordinary Canadian author, Lucy Maud Montgomery.
Tuesday 30 September, 5.30 pm for 6.00 PM
Links and memories
Banafsheh Serov’s memoir Under a starless sky: A family’s escape from Iran tells of her family’s incredible journey from Iran to Australia during difficult times. Cholas in bowlers by Jane Mundy is an inspiring account of an Australian woman’s new relationship and life in Bolivia. Are we there yet?: Chasing a childhood through South Africa follows David Smiedt’s journey from Soweto to Cape Town and Kruger in search of a father he’s almost forgotten. Join these local authors as they discuss unique memories, experiences and links with other countries.
Thursday 2 October, 5.30 pm for 6.00 PM
Out of the vaults series
Enjoy an intimate viewing of our most iconic and intriguing items. Each month, in the exclusive Sir William Dixson Research Library, one rare item from the Library’s world-renowned collection will be taken out of the vaults. Secrets and little-known stories will be revealed by our Library experts.
Wednesday 8 October, 10.30 am to 12.00 PM
