State Library of Queensland

Access more benefits online and onsite when you become a State Library member. Membership is free. Access is immediate.

There is so much on offer at State Library. Explore ways to make the most of your visit before you arrive.

The Explainer Series is about exploring the questions we’re all asking.Supermarkets are part of everyday life, but there’s a lot more happening in the aisles than deciding what’s for dinner. From pricing and loyalty programs to store layouts, online shopping and the growing influence of AI, the way we buy our groceries is changing fast. The Explainer Series: Supermarkets will take a look behind the shelves to explore how Australian supermarkets became the giants they are today - and where they might be heading next. As smaller stores, home delivery, automated fulfillment and personalised shopping reshape the supermarket experience, what do we gain from all that convenience, and what might we be giving up? Join us as we unpack the power and psychology of supermarkets, the technology changing the way we shop, and what the supermarket of the future might look like.Meet Your SpeakersProfessor Gary Mortimer is a retail marketing and consumer behaviour expert at the QUT Business School. His retail career began at fifteen, pushing shopping trolleys after his dad told him if he couldn't find a job, he'd have to finish high school. So he found a job. At our upcoming Explainer Series event, he's most excited to dispel the 'myth of the supermarket duopoly' and explain how supermarkets of the future may look a lot like those of the past.Ashwin Segkar is a radio presenter and comedian, currently hosting ABC Overnights. He's a frequent supermarket shopper, with deep experience weighing up whether it's faster to stick with self-checkout or switch to a staffed register. At our upcoming Explainer Series event, he'll be sharing insights on supermarket shopping: the quirks in how we behave inside, the power supermarkets wield, and how it will all change with new technology. His key question? How will we be supermarket shopping in 2035?The Explainer SeriesThe Explainer Series is a space for thoughtful conversations with people who really know their stuff, sharing insights and context so we can better navigate the big and small questions in our lives.From international law and cryptocurrency to climate change, gut health and space junk, these talks bring ideas, trends and debates into focus, helping us form our own understanding, guided by curiosity and expertise.There’s no spin and no hype, just experts helping us think more clearly about the world around us.The Explainer Series is generously supported by Gina Fairfax AC and Tim Fairfax AC through the Queensland Library Foundation.Subscribe to be the first to know about our future events.Please consult our conditions of entry and Ticketing Terms and Conditions before making your booking. We respect your privacy. Personal information we collect is used only for our internal activities and functions (Libraries Act 1988 (Qld)) and will not be disclosed unless required by law. For more information, please read State Library's privacy statement.The views expressed by the speakers are their own and the promotion of products/services is not endorsed by State Library.

Presented by State Library to coincide with our Through Mununjali eyes exhibition currently on display, a powerful tribute to Mununjali photojournalist Wayne Coolwell and his legacy.Join us and enjoy the heat of the campfire, while listening to Wayne's friend and colleague, Jo-Anne Driessens, share memories of him, and what his work means for the future generations.Come along to listen, learn, and share.Light refreshments will be provided. Warning: Live firepit and smokeThis event is suitable for all ages; however young children are to be supervised during the event.This event is accessible, however please email kurildhagun@slq.qld.gov.au to reserve accessible seating or to answer any questions. ABOUT THE SPEAKERJo-Anne Driessens, a Guwa-Koa, Gungarri, and Kuku Yalanji woman, has spent three decades documenting Aboriginal communities in urban, remote, and regional areas.Since completing a photography cadetship at the State Library of Queensland in 1999, she has worked in curatorial and photography roles, focusing on archival research, exhibitions, and Aboriginal family history. Please consult our Conditions of Entry and Ticketing Terms and Conditions before making your booking.We respect your privacy. Personal information we collect is used only for our internal activities and functions (Libraries Act 1988 (Qld)) and will not be disclosed unless required by law. For more information, please read State Library's privacy statement.The views expressed by the speakers are their own and the promotion of products/services is not endorsed by State Library.

Join us for a morning of learning and sharing stories from photographs. This is a free workshop for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.We invite you to join us for a free and informative morning focused on the care and preservation of photographs.This session will provide valuable insights into the best practices for their protection and longevity.This talk will be presented by State Library’s preservation team who will share expert tips on how to properly store and care for photographs, helping you appreciate them while ensuring they remain in good condition for years to come. This is an excellent opportunity to learn practical techniques for preserving your photos and to connect with others.Tea and coffee will be provided. Please consult our Conditions of Entry and Ticketing Terms and Conditions before making your booking.We respect your privacy. Personal information we collect is used only for our internal activities and functions (Libraries Act 1988 (Qld)) and will not be disclosed unless required by law. For more information, please read State Library's privacy statement.