Autumn at State Library

Live sound activation exploring memory, loss and listening through Megan Cope’s work.

Thought-provoking talks exploring death, dying and remembrance.

Hands-on workshops reflecting on memory, legacy and loss.

Join us at the Edge for a two-session workshop on the innovative world of projection mapping and gain the skills to bring stories to life through video onto different surfaces. Projection mapping is an exciting art form that merges video, light, and architecture, transforming static objects into vivid displays for visual narratives. Within this hands-on workshop, you'll experience the creative journey from concept to realisation. We’ll show you how to edit and map projections onto hard surfaces using the Library’s digital video collection content. Perfect for those looking to develop a practical understanding of video installations, or creatives looking for innovative ways to present narratives. The workshops aim to equip participants with the confidence to start their own video projection journey, and would be great for anyone eager to explore the intersection of digital creativity and public art.This workshop occurs over two consecutive workshops Saturday 11 April and Saturday 18 April. It is expected you will attend both Saturday sessions as they build upon each other. Before you bookParticipants must be over 16 years of age. Please read through our Getting Started at The Edge page which includes terms of use. You’ll find answers to age restrictions, what to bring, what to do if you’re running late, refunds and more. Please become a State Library member before you arrive. If you already have a State Library member account, make sure you know your login details as you may be required to login during the workshop to access State Library computers, and to make bookings for equipment. Please contact us if you need support to participate in this event and consult State Library of Queensland's conditions of entry before making your booking. To find out more about what else is on offer, read up on The Edge and our make and design space. You can also subscribe to be the first to know about our future events.

Tarot cards are visual stories about change, transformation and key stages that shape our lives. In this hands on workshop, you will draw on the symbolism of tarot archetypes – beginnings, thresholds, loss, and renewal, to create your own symbolic artworks that capture your relationship with life, death and the in-between. Across two workshops you will be guided through the process of creating digital designs through to a printed outcome that can adorn your home, capturing those key moments of your life story. This workshop takes place over two days, Saturday 5 May and Saturday 23 May. You are expected to attend both sessions, as they build upon each other. This event runs in conjunction with Dearly Departed: death in life, State Library's exhibition exploring mortality through history, art and personal stories. Attendees are encouraged to explore the exhibition before or after the activation to engage more deeply with its themes and artworks. Tickets go on sale 12 MarchThis event forms part of Dearly Departed: death in life and engages with themes of death, dying, grief and remembrance. This event may contain photographs, videos and recordings of people who have since passed, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Dive beneath the surface of the Brisbane River and discover a hidden world of sound. In this hands-on workshop led by sound artist and researcher Dr Leah Barclay, participants will explore the art and science of underwater listening and create their own original soundscape composition.Looking at the surface of a river, it is virtually impossible to detect environmental changes. Listening provides access to a non-invasive way of understanding these hidden aquatic worlds. This workshop explores the creative possibilities of listening underwater, using innovative technologies to bridge art and science. You'll experiment with listening techniques, discover how aquatic soundscapes can be transformed into immersive sonic environments, and learn how artists and scientists are using ecoacoustics to monitor ecosystem health and inspire ecological awareness.Drawing on Dr Leah Barclay's 15 years of experience recording marine and freshwater ecosystems worldwide, you'll gain practical skills in underwater recording technology and discover how sound can reveal what the eye cannot see.In this workshop you will:Learn about hydrophones and underwater recording technologyExplore the creative possibilities of listening underwaterDiscover innovative uses of creative technologies to explore the art and science of soundRecord the sounds beneath the surface of the Brisbane RiverProduce an original soundscape using your hydrophone recordingsBefore you bookParticipants must be over 16 years of age. Please read through our Getting Started at The Edge page which includes terms of use. You’ll find answers to age restrictions, what to bring, what to do if you’re running late, refunds and more. Please become a State Library member before you arrive. If you already have a State Library member account, make sure you know your login details as you may be required to login during the workshop to access State Library computers, and to make bookings for equipment. Please contact us if you need support to participate in this event and consult State Library of Queensland's conditions of entry before making your booking. To find out more about what else is on offer, read up on The Edge and our make and design space. You can also subscribe to be the first to know about our future events.

Thoughtful talks with experts, offering clear context and insight into today’s big and small questions.

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.

Meet LYRO Robotics, the tech innovators rethinking how we pick, pack and protect fresh produce from paddock to plate. Their smart robots combine machine vision, grasping and AI decision-making to tackle one of the toughest problems in agrifood: delicate handling at scale.Join us for a conversation with LYRO's leadership team as they unpack their journey from university start-up to global exporter – and how Australian technology is shaping the next generation of automation.Dr Nicole Robinson, CEO and Co-Founder, LYRO RoboticsNicole leads a team of talented engineers, researchers, and business professionals who share her vision of transforming the food supply chain with innovative and sustainable solutions. She oversees the strategic direction, product development, and customer relations of the company.Nicole is committed to advancing the field of artificial intelligence and human-robot teams through roles including Advisor to the National AI Centre and a University Lecturer at Monash University.Prof Peter Corke, Chief Roboticist, LYRO RoboticsPeter is a researcher, educator and writer in robotics and robotic vision. His research interests include visual-control of robots and the application of robots to problems such as large-scale environmental monitoring and agriculture. Peter has just been awarded the Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Award in the Education category — the highest honour in the field of robotics.The conversation will be facilitated by Prof Michael Milford, Director of the QUT Centre for RoboticsThis event is presented as part of World Science Festival BrisbaneImage: Ai generated About Game ChangersGame Changers invites innovation leaders from business, technology, and creative industries to share their insights with aspiring Queensland entrepreneurs. This is your chance to ask how entrepreneurs and business leaders build companies, reinvent themselves, inspire teams, and envision success.Game Changers is a Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame initiative presented by State Library of Queensland and QUT.AccessibilityIf you require accessible seating options please call 3842 9827 or email creativeproduction@slq.qld.gov.auAuslan interpretation has been planned for this event.Photography and Videography NoticeThis event will be photographed and filmed, and the resulting content may be shared online to promote the State Library of Queensland and its partners.By attending, you consent to the State Library capturing and using images or videos that may include you.If you prefer not to be photographed or filmed, you are still very welcome to attend. Please contact our Events team in advance at creativeproduction@slq.qld.gov.au or inform a staff member upon arrival, and we will ensure your preferences are respected.Can't join us in person?The conversation will not be live streamed but will be recorded. You will be able to watch the entire conversation after the event here.Subscribe to be the first to know about our future events.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 tour of the 'Wayne Coolwell: Through Mununjali Eyes' showcase in kuril dhagun.Free First Nations led showcase tours are held fortnightly and alternate with free tours led by a special guest.About the exhibition:Wayne Coolwell was a trailblazer of his generation and a powerful voice for his people. A proud Mununjali man with a sharp eye for a story, he captured moments that bridged cultures and inspired connection. Known affectionately as the “Cool Cat of journalism,” Wayne moved effortlessly among the greats, between the media and community, treating every encounter as part of his day’s work behind the lens and microphone.Respected by his peers and cherished by audiences nationwide, Wayne was among the first Aboriginal voices to grace Australia’s airwaves. His talent, humility and fearless curiosity made him a true pioneer.This showcase celebrates Wayne’s life and legacy through his own photography, revealing the people, places, and moments that shaped his remarkable journey. It invites audiences to remember not only his professional achievements but the warmth, wit and cultural pride that made him unforgettable.Through Mununjali Eyes brings together 5 decades of Wayne’s photographs, honouring his legacy – where story, culture, and connection continue to resonate across generations.Where: Meet at the entrance to kuril dhagun, level 1, State Library of Queensland.Please note: There is no need to bring a printed ticket, instead when you arrive your name will be checked off on a registration list. The exhibition is accessible, but should you have any questions please contact exhibitions@slq.qld.gov.au.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.

Join us for a free exhibition tour of Dearly Departed: death in life. Tours are held monthly and alternate with tours by special guests.About the exhibition:Death is a universal experience. It will come to us all. Yet the way we confront, discuss, experience and ultimately reckon with death, and the realities of dying, varies enormously. Culturally diverse traditions and practices around death offer unique insights into how communities around the world honour and mourn their loved ones, shaping vastly different experiences and understandings of life’s final chapter.Throughout the 20th century, death became a quiet taboo; something rarely spoken of, despite touching every life. Positioned at the powerful intersection of history, art and emotion, Dearly Departed encourages audiences to reflect on what it means to live well, die well and honour those who came before us. It reframes death not as an ending, but as a profound and enduring part of Queensland’s living story.Innovative, accessible, and deeply human, Dearly Departed: death in life invites visitors into a bold exploration of mortality across Queensland’s past, present and future. Through rich historical insight, evocative artistic interpretation and interactive design, the exhibition sparks meaningful conversation about life, death and the memories we hold.The exhibition examines the social, cultural, spiritual, historical and political forces that have shaped Queenslanders’ experiences and attitudes toward death and dying – then and now.Join us as we rediscover how confronting death helps us better understand life itself.Where: Meet at the entrance to slq Gallery, level 2, State Library of Queensland.Please note: There is no need to bring a printed ticket, instead when you arrive your name will be checked off on a registration list. The exhibition is accessible, but should you have any questions please contact exhibitions@slq.qld.gov.au.Content: Dearly Departed: death in life and engages with themes of death, dying, memory and remembrance. Content may include personal stories, imagery, sound 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, or recordings of, people who have since passed, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.Image: Gravestones overlooking Moreton Bay, 1957, Bull, J., John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative 199972.

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.

Recommended for children aged 0 - 5. Join us at kuril dhagun for a lively sing-along featuring all your favourite songs and rhymes! Learn some fun games, yarn about the world around us, and discover the vibrant artworks and resources celebrating First Nations people and communities. Did you know a kuril is a native marsupial found near kurilpa point, while dhagun means earth, place or country. Learn to say g’day in one of hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, connect with First Nations stories through specially selected picture books and enjoy the view of the beautiful Maiwar river. No bookings required for this free activity. Just drop in to have some fun. First 5 Forever is a family-centred program providing free playful experiences to support Queensland families on their child’s journey through the first 5 years. The program is an initiative of the Queensland Government, coordinated by State Library of Queensland and delivered in partnership with local government. Subscribe to be the first to know about our future events. Privacy information 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.

Recommended for children aged 0 - 5. These open-ended play sessions are designed to inspire children (and babies!) of all ages to explore their senses, come up with games and get creative, building their brains through play and interaction. Step away from your regular routine and the distractions of home into a space just for you and your family or why not invite your friends to a special play date! No bookings required for this free activity. Just drop in to have some fun. First 5 Forever is a family-centred program providing free playful experiences to support Queensland families on their child’s journey through the first 5 years. The program is an initiative of the Queensland Government, coordinated by State Library of Queensland and delivered in partnership with local government. Subscribe to be the first to know about our future events. Privacy information 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.

Recommended for children aged 0 - 5. Connect with your favourite characters and books and explore stories through play! Dress up, imagine you’re in a land far, far away or build your own story. The possibilities are endless in this open-ended play session. Meet up with friends or make new ones and ignite your creativity. No bookings required for this free activity. Just drop in to have some fun. First 5 Forever is a family-centred program providing free playful experiences to support Queensland families on their child’s journey through the first 5 years. The program is an initiative of the Queensland Government, coordinated by State Library of Queensland and delivered in partnership with local government. Subscribe to be the first to know about our future events. Privacy information 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.

Find out when you can visit different parts of the Library on each day of the week.

Explore the best way of getting here with information, directions, and maps specific to your needs.

Explore our wonderful and diverse spaces on offer.