What's on

View the Library's current and upcoming workshops, events, talks and exhibitions. Join us in person or online (where available).

A woman sits slightly side-on holding and reading an open book. Book shelves behind with multiple rows displaying colourful books.
Book Club at the Library

Join us for a relaxed, social book club session hosted in collaboration with the UNSW Bookworm Society.

Friday 31 July, 2pm - 4pm.
Retreat Space, Level 3 Main Library

Drop in - no registration.

In person
A hand holding an Open Access logo - an orange icon which resembles an open padlock. It is styalised to look like lowercase letters 'oa' for open access.
Explore pathways to Open Access Publishing

Join us to get a brief overview of pathways to open access (OA), UNSW OA Policy and UNSWorks, publishing models, support for open access and publisher agreements.

  • Thursday 6 August, 11am
  • Thursday 1 October, 11am.

Registration required.

In person and online
A 3D visualisation of the Mars Rover robot against an orange alien landscape
From Earth to Mars: Astrobiology Virtual Field Trip

Join us for an immersive astrobiology virtual field trip. This Virtual Reality (VR) experience travels from Earth to Mars in the search for the origins of life.

  • Tuesday 11 August
  • Thursday 17 September.

Registration required.

In person
Two students browsing books on the Main Library collection shelves.
Discover your Library

Did you know UNSW Library is the perfect place to start your study journey? Join us for a tour or short introduction at one of our Libraries, or register for the online session.

O-Week:

  • Main Library - 8 to 10 September
  • Law Library - 9 September
  • Paddington Library -  9 September
  • Online - 11 September.

Limited sessions available, registration required.

In person and online
A librarian presenting in front of students inside the Law Library.
Library Hacks

Library Hacks are workshops held at the start of each term for new and returning students. They familiarise you with everything the Library has to offer and help you develop key skills needed for success at UNSW.

Sessions include:

  • Advanced searching made easy
  • Find your course resources
  • Library Hacks for AI.

Explore upcoming events.

In person/Online
A hand holding a pencil case with an illustration of orange books on it. In the background in a purple wall with similar orange book illustrations.
Cover Crush - Book Shelfies

Inspired by the Cover Crush mural, this activity invites you to get acquainted with our book collection in real life. Share your book shelfies to claim your limited edition tote bag and pencil case!

Tuesday 8 September, 1pm - 3pm
Main Library.

Drop in - no registration.

In person
Two Library Peer Mentors standing next to the Library Peer Mentors sign in the Main Library foyer. They are in green uniforms and smiling at the camera.
Library Peer Mentors: UNSW Trivia

Looking for a fun way to meet other students and try your luck at answering UNSW related trivia questions to win prizes? Join the Library Peer Mentors in the Main Library.

Tuesday 8 September 2026, 3pm - 4.30pm.

Registration required.

In person
An open book set on top of a circuit board with glowing blue holographic lines coming out of the book.
Library Hacks for AI

Ever wonder how generative AI can enhance your studies? Curious about the hidden tips, tricks and considerations for students? Join this interactive workshop to learn about AI at university, how to critically assess these tools, and navigate Library resources.

Thursday 10 September, 11am - 11.40am.

Registration required.

In person
A smiling woman stands in front of a group of university students in an exhibition area
Behind the scenes: Exhibitions tour

Join us during O-Week for a tour of our current exhibitions, displays, and murals. There will also be a giveaway of limited-edition artist merchandise!

Thursday 10 September, 1pm - 1.45pm
Main Library.

Registration required.

In person
Two students inside the Library, sitting opposite each other at a large desk and using their own laptops.
Scholarly resources for students and teachers

Learn the fundamentals of using MedicinesComplete, the online platform that provides health professionals, researchers, and the pharmaceutical industry with access to trusted, evidence-based medicines information.

Tuesday 15 September, 3pm - 4pm.

Registration required.

Online
Collage of images with people in conversations
Publishing your research: What you need to know

Are you looking to publish research? Do you know how to make your work open access and retain your author rights?

Join us for an approachable introduction to publishing your work.

  • Thursday 17 September, 2pm - 3pm
  • Wednesday 25 November, 11am - 12pm.

Registration required.

Online
A hand holding a postcard with a message written on it. Various drawings and colour pencils surrounds it on the table.
Open Studio: Sky Postcard

Join us to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with a creative workshop developed by artist Louise Zhang, where you can create 'Sky Postcards' and enjoy complimentary mooncakes.

This event is proudly part of UNSW Diversity Festival.

Friday 25 September, 2pm - 3pm
Main Library.

Registration opens on Friday 14 August. Find out more.

In person
 Close up of postcards with messages written in different languages.
Sydney Craft Week: Sky Postcard

Join us to celebrate the Sydney Craft Week with a creative workshop developed by artist Louise Zhang, where you can create 'Sky Postcards'. This event is part of the Library exhibition The Infinite Look.

Tuesday 13 October, 1pm - 2pm.

Registration opens on 15 September. Find out more.

In person
A celestial flipbook created by artist Lisa Sammut with stamped images representing planets.
Open Studio: A Story of the Sun

Come and celebrate Rare Book Week at UNSW Library, with this hands-on workshop developed by professional artist and UNSW alum, Lisa Sammut. This event is part of the Library exhibition The Infinite Look.

Tuesday 20 October, 1pm - 3pm.

Registration opens on 22 September. Find out more.

In person
A black and white photographic close up of the moons surface
The Infinite Look: A History of Gazing Skyward

This exhibition traces humanity's evolving understanding of the cosmos, from ancient stargazers to modern astronomers, showcasing the interwoven roles of scientific observation and cultural interpretation.

Lights Up, Sound Down:
10am - 12pm every Wednesday.
Experience in a more accessible environment.

Exhibition:
Until 30 October
Level 5 Main Library.

In person
Two people sitting at a table using pencils to colour in a paper tablecloth
Creative Space

Creative Space is a free, drop-in drawing activity responding to the Library exhibition The Infinite Look: A History of Gazing Skyward. Stay for as little or as long as you like.

Each month, the space is inspired by a different constellation.

Until 30 October
Level 5 Main Library.

Drop in - no registration.

In person
Two students sitting next to each other, both smiling and looking at a laptop screen.
Library Peer Mentors

Need help with your academic studies and university life? Drop in or book ahead during term time.

Register for our free activities.

Library Peer Mentors are available at Main, Law and Paddington Libraries.

Find out more.

In person
An illustration captures two astronauts in white suits standing on a rocky, rust-colored Martian plain beside a modular multi-story habitat under a hazy, orange sky.
Welcome to the Frontier: From Science Fiction to Hyperstition

This display connects science fiction with current UNSW research to explore the ethical and legal challenges of our future in space.

Exhibition:
On display from 20 May 2026
Ground Level Law Library.

In person
A giant, glowing grey sphere against a black void. Its surface is a rugged landscape of circular, bowl-shaped pits and jagged ridges that cast long, dark shadows.
The Lunar Gaze

This display traces how our view of the Moon has evolved from hand-drawn telescope sketches to precise digital maps captured from space.

Exhibition:
On display from 18 June 2026
UNSW Art & Design Paddington Library.

In person
A close-up, high-angle photo of mixed international coins on a reflective surface. The image includes coins from Pakistan, the United States, Canada, and various other nations, highlighting their different metal textures, dates, and engravings.
Collection Encounters: Moonscapes

Commissioned by UNSW Library, Collection Encounters transforms the Library's Special Collections into a source of active, creative inspiration. This display by Abdullah M.I. Syed is part of a broader program expanding on the themes in The Infinite Look: A History of Gazing Skyward.

Exhibition:
On display from 30 July 2026
Level 3 Main Library.