Summer at State Library

Design-your-own car accessories and more.

Celebrate Driven with a season of classic car films and documentaries.

Join talks exploring Queensland’s car culture, design, and stories behind the exhibition.

Recommended all ages Looking for the perfect place to unwind? Nestled into a quiet corner of the library, the reading room is your ultimate family reading retreat. Immerse yourselves in the magic of books as you sink into comfy couches and enjoy the spectacular city views while you dive into the captivating worlds of your favourite stories together. Subscribe to be the first to know about our future events. No booking required for this free activity. 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. 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 all ages Are you a keen explorer? Are you a master of puzzles? Then get excited and jump into our scavenger hunt. This interactive onsite experience gets you collecting clues and completing challenges to uncover top secret library spaces, learn remarkable history and culture and explore the incredible artworks unique to our building. Go at your own pace in this accessible and family friendly experience designed for all ages and abilities. Pop into the Welcome Desk on level 1 to start your adventure! Subscribe to be the first to know about our future events. No booking required for this free activity. 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.

Explore 3D modelling in Blender to design your own custom car decorations in this hands-on, two-part workshop. Learn the fundamentals of this industry-standard, open-source 3D design software favoured by hobbyists and professionals alike. In the first session, we’ll visit the Driven exhibition for inspiration, then set up in the Digital Media Lab where you'll get comfortable navigating Blender’s interface and workspaces, then dive into modelling basics. You'll create and manipulate the meshes of simple objects to create car accessories such as a car emblem or badge, which will be 3D printed before your next session. Two weeks later, build on your skills with intermediate modelling techniques to design a more complex piece such as a hood ornament or dashboard decoration. Start from an existing model and customise it to your liking, or bring your own creative vision to life. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have the confidence and skills to design your own models in Blender as well as several printed pieces.Please note: You need to have completed a 3D Printing Induction to participate in this workshop. A complimentary 3D Printing Induction will be run from 11am-1pm before the first workshop for those who require it. 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.

Celebrate the Year of the Horse by creating custom vinyl stickers! In this hands-on two-hour workshop, you will learn the basics of operating a professional-grade vinyl cutter, from file preparation to calibrating the cut, and finally producing a finished piece to apply to anything from a laptop to a skateboard. We're themeing this workshop around the Chinese horoscope, so you'll get to take home your own personalised zodiac sticker!About 101 workshops101 skill development workshops give you the basic skills you need to start your new creative journey. Each workshop is delivered by an experienced facilitator and to participate in the workshops, intermediate computer skills, a willingness to learn and a little patience will see you underway. Before you bookParticipants must be over 16 years of age.Enclosed flat footwear is encouraged when in the Innovation lab. 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.

Learn to make your own rear-view hanging car object! Inspired by driving in the Queensland summer and the Driven exhibition, you will learn to hand-sew a wonderful little item inspired by fluffy dice and pine air-refreshers. (Disclaimer; participants must follow Queensland driving safety laws). ABOUT 101 WORKSHOPS101 skill development workshops give you the basic skills you need to start your new creative journey. Each workshop is delivered by an experienced facilitator and to participate in the workshops, intermediate computer skills, a willingness to learn and a little patience will see you underway. BEFORE YOU BOOKParticipants must be over 16 years of age.Enclosed flat footwear is encouraged when in the Innovation lab. 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.

Join talks exploring Queensland’s car culture, design, and stories behind the exhibition.

Join Brisbane music legend Robert Forster for an intimate evening of stories and songs, as he sits down with an iconic Queensland songwriter in each edition of this live conversation series. Across the night, each guest performs five songs that helped define their career – stripped back and live – interwoven with personal reflections and behind-the-scenes stories that bring the music to life.Dave McCormack is a national treasure. As frontman of Custard, he helped soundtrack a generation of 90s Australia with hits like Girls Like That and Music is Crap, known for their wit, charm, and infectious hooks. In recent years, Dave has found a second life as the voice of Bandit in the global phenomenon Bluey, bringing warmth and humour to millions of families. Whether in front of a guitar or behind a microphone, Dave brings a singular energy and perspective to everything he does.Robert Forster is one of Australia’s most revered musical storytellers. As co-founder of the seminal Brisbane band The Go-Betweens, his work has helped define the sound and soul of Queensland’s independent music scene. With a career spanning over four decades, Forster is known not only for his evocative songwriting but also for his sharp wit, literary flair, and deep love of conversation. In Songs To Live By, he steps into the role of host and collaborator, guiding audiences through unforgettable evenings of music, memory and creative insight.

Thought libraries were all about books? You’re in for a surprise.

“The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog” - M.K. Clinton Join us on Sunday 18 January for a free talk exploring the important role that service dogs play for ex-defence personnel. Since World War I, dogs have always accompanied Australians to war, whether as mascots, messengers, scouts, guards or comforting companions. Dogs have served our nation with courage, bravery, valour and enduring loyalty, saving the lives of countless military personnel and civilians. Beyond the battlefields, they also play a crucial role as service animals, supporting veterans who are experiencing mental health issues. In this talk, guest speaker Bill Marklew OAM from PAWs for Hope and Understanding will explore the long history of dogs in the ADF. He will also share how PAWs, a not-for-profit organisation, is providing ex-defence personnel with task-trained service dogs that offer unwavering support for those navigating the challenges of mental health, specialising in PTSD. PAWs trains dogs to perform a range of life-enhancing tasks, from fetching objects to alerting and alleviating medical episodes, allowing veterans to reclaim their independence and find comfort in adversity. For Bill, a Vietnam veteran, the work of this program is especially important: “I served in the Army (Infantry) for 24 years, with a diagnosis of PTSD, and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Raven, my angel with paws, settles me during nightmares or panic attacks by putting her paws on my shoulder and sits across my lap until the panic subsides. Without her I may not be here. She has made such a difference in my life.” Since 2015, PAWs has successfully placed 118 'angels with paws' to worthy veterans and assisted 2536 veterans with disability claims. Book now to secure your seat.

Join us for a free exhibition tour of Billy Missi'n Wakain Thamai in kuril dhagun. Tours held monthly and alternate with free cultural tours, led by a special guest. About the exhibition: Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai is a profound exhibition honouring the late Torres Strait Islander artist Billy Missi (1970-2012).Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai brings together 26 of the artist’s most significant and iconic artworks, including rare and never-before-exhibited monoprints, etchings, and linoprints from Djumbunji Fine Art Press and private collections. Curated by Dr Russell Milledge, this retrospective was developed in close consultation with the Billy Missi Estate, family members and friends, highlighting Missi’s critical role in the emergence of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) printmaking as a contemporary art form.The Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai exhibition honours Missi’s artistic legacy and his dedication to maintaining the language and culture of his people. The bilingual exhibition features diverse forms of printmaking and a film, presenting an immersive experience into contemporary Torres Strait Islander culture and customs. Audiences will gain a deep appreciation for Missi’s work, reflecting his way of life, traditions, and enduring legacy.Billy Missi was born on Mabuiag Island and was deeply influenced by the storytelling, song, and dance traditions of his Wagadagam Tribe. Beginning in earnest in the 1990s, his artistic journey combined traditional carving techniques with modern linocut methods, creating a unique aesthetic that earned international recognition before his passing in 2012.Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai is an exhibition developed by NorthSite Contemporary Arts (Gimuy/Cairns) and touring Australia in partnership with Gab Titui Cultural Centre/Torres Strait Regional Authority (Waiben/Thursday Island) and Museums & Galleries Queensland. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program.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.

Join us for a 30-minute curator's tour of the summer exhibition, Driven: every car has a story.About the exhibition:Take a drive down memory lane, celebrating the milestones we’ve shared with our cars, the adventures across bitumen, sand and dirt, and the enduring passion driven by our love for them.You never forget your first car. The thrill of turning the key for the first time, the radio crackling to life, and the exhilarating sense that the open road is suddenly yours to claim.Cars are part of life’s most unforgettable moments. From a baby’s first trip home, to the flashy ride for your school formal, the vintage wedding car, and even that final farewell in a hearse, our rites of passage often unfold behind the wheel, in the backseat, or right there in the driveway.

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.