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Join us for our first Heritage Talk of 2026 where we will hear from a panel of experts and passionate friends of Queensland’s many storied and historical cemeteries. Cemeteries exist not only for the dead but also as a space for the living. Across Queensland, they are now valued not only as a resting and remembering place, but also as places of historical significance and civic engagement that continue to connect communities in meaningful ways. This event runs in conjunction with Dearly Departed: death in life, State Library's exhibition that encourages reflection on mortality through history, art and personal stories. Audiences are welcome to visit the exhibition before or after the event to engage more deeply with its themes and artworks.About Heritage talksOur Heritage Talks connect audiences to our extraordinary collections by inviting speakers to share their expertise and perspectives on topics relating to Queensland history.

The Explainer Series is about exploring the questions we’re all asking.In an age of endless notifications, short-form content, and algorithmically curated feeds, are we losing our ability to focus? Or are our brains simply adapting to a new kind of information landscape? This session will explore what social media is doing to our attention spans, how platforms shape the way we consume and process information, and what it all means for our mental health, civic engagement, and the next generation.Meet Our SpeakersProfessor Daniel Angus is Director of the QUT Digital Media Research Centre and is a leading authority on the role of algorithms in modern society. Outside of work Dan is a very amateur track cyclist, a proud mid-pack wonder who enjoys riding fast and turning left. At the Explainer Series event, he's most excited to unpack how platforms and AI systems are quietly reshaping the way we experience the world, and what that means for culture, society, and public debate.Tess Bennett is a technology reporter with The Australian Financial Review, based in the Brisbane newsroom. Beyond work, Tess is a Hyrox debutante, who still supplements her training with a serious, non-negotiable dumpling habit. She is most excited, and a little embarrassed, to reveal how many times she checks her phone each day. 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 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.

Death Café is a facilitated gathering that offers a welcoming, informal space for open conversation about death, dying, and mortality, over tea and coffee.Following an internationally recognised model, this session brings people together in small groups to talk, listen and reflect. There is no agenda and no expectation to speak. Conversations are gently supported by trained facilitators, allowing participants to engage in ways that feel comfortable and respectful.Rather than offering instruction or expertise, Death Café encourages curiosity, shared stories and thoughtful discussion, helping to normalise conversations about death and reduce isolation around a topic often avoided.This event runs in conjunction with Dearly Departed: death in life, State Library’s exhibition drawing on rich collections of objects and stories to explore how social, cultural, spiritual, historical and political forces have shaped Queenslanders’ attitudes to death and dying. Attendees are encouraged to visit the exhibition before or after the event to deepen their engagement with its themes and artworks.Credit: Death Café was founded by Jon Underwood, based on the work of Bernard Crettaz. deathcafe.com/Content noteThis event engages with themes of death, dying, memory and remembrance. Content may include personal stories or discussion that some people may find emotionally affecting. You’re welcome to participate at your own pace and to step away or take a break at any time.Some events may also include references to people who have since passed, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.Image: Funeral of Waysl Holojad, first conductor of the Ukrainian Association of Queensland Choir, South Brisbane Cemetery, Dutton Park, 1952, 1952, unidentified, 31360 Roman and Alexandra Pavlyshyn papers, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 31360-0009-0008.