Summer at State Library

Start your engines and join us to celebrate the opening of Driven, State Library of Queensland’s major new exhibition exploring how cars have shaped Queensland’s people and places.From 10 am, State Library will come alive with activity. Outside on the Stanley Place Promenade, explore a specialty car show featuring eight unique and nostalgic vehicles – from RACQ’s 1960s and 1970s service cars and a replica of Rock ’n’ Roll George’s legendary Holden, to ACE EVs’ locally built electric car, QUT and TMR’s autonomous vehicle ZOE2, Tracey Walker’s Triumph from the Old Girls On The Road Car Club, and the Shell V-Power Racing Team’s Ford Mustang GT show car.From 10:30 am, head into the Knowledge Walk to take the wheel on a large-scale slot car track created in partnership with Queensland company ScaleXseller. The interactive installation invites guests of all ages to race miniature cars around a custom-built circuit inspired by Queensland’s motoring history.At 11 am, join one of our Driven curator tours in the slq Gallery for a guided tour of the exhibition, offering an insider’s view into the stories, collections and creative works that capture Queensland’s enduring connection to car culture. The exhibition will open from 10 am, giving visitors the chance to explore at their own pace throughout the day.From 10 am to 12:30 pm, you can take the kids to The Corner to make, design, reimagine and play with Dream cars.Between activities, browse exclusive Driven merchandise at the Library Shop, meet the curators behind the exhibition and enjoy a vibrant day of nostalgia, storytelling and Queensland car culture.Then, as the sun sets, the celebrations continue with the Driven Drive-In, a special outdoor screening of Mad Max: Fury Road in the Knowledge Walk – complete with refurbished car-seat lounges and silent-cinema headphones for an unforgettable movie experience.Part of the Driven exhibition opening weekend.

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 for children aged 0 - 8. Welcome to Tui ‘n’ Friends where our hearts beat to the rhythm of Pasifika music and culture whilst having fun and bringing joy to families. Join us for traditional and original songs, story telling and dancing. This fun and interactive session will get the whole Aiga (family) dancing! No bookings required for this free activity. Just drop in to have some fun. Subscribe to be the first to know about our future events. 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. 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 - 8 years. Explore the world of songs and stories through play. Our team will delight young and old with clever and creative storytelling, with lots of ideas to inspire playful interactions with your children. Connect with other families and stay and play after the session. No bookings required for this free activity. Just drop in to have some fun. Subscribe to be the first to know about our future events. 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. 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.

Murri Christmas is back for 2025!Join us in kuril dhagun for a jam-packed day made especially for our Deadly Jarjums (and the grown-ups too). You’ll be able to snap a pic with Murri Claus, get hands-on in our beading and weaving workshop, and dive into arts and crafts like Murri Claus colouring, decorating native animal ornaments, and writing Letters to Santa.There will be sing-alongs to traditional songs, a free community BBQ, and a photographer capturing all the fun moments throughout the day.Don’t miss out – mark your calendar and get ready for a deadly day of fun, culture and festive cheer.

Join us as we celebrate 50 years of independent broadcasting with Stranded — a festival of conversations, workshops, and showcases.

Learn how to use a sublimation printer and heat press to create your very own Stranded merch to take home.

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.

Hear from some of Brisbane's key figures in independent media and music.

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

Level 4 at State Library is home to our heritage and extraordinary collections.In the Philip Bacon Heritage Gallery you will find the exhibition Extraordinary stories featuring a rotating selection of stories about ordinary Queenslanders whose lives were anything but. These are stories worth telling, stories worth hearing, stories worth collecting, drawn from State Library's collections to tell us more about Queensland and the lives lived here.Also on level 4, you will find the Talbot Family Treasures Wall featuring a changing selection of items from State Library's heritage collections. The John Oxley Library has collected, preserved and shared Queensland’s collective memory since 1934 and the Talbot Family Treasures Wall is where you can view items of state significance. Each item on display here reveals a remarkable story, and together, they help deepen our understanding of Queensland’s diverse lifestyle, landscape, culture and community.Free Curator's tours of both these spaces are held monthly. Join one of our specialist curators to discover the unknown stories and hidden gems of State Library's collections.Book your space now!

Join us for a cultural tour of Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai in kuril dhagun with Uncle Brian Whap, Torres Strait Islander Elder and cultural educator.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.