Events Calendar - 2010

We are planning an exhilarating and varied range of events for the Mitchell Library’s centenary celebrations in 2010.

Just a selection of our program highlights are listed here.

Make the most of the special 2010 program by ordering your free seasonal ‘What’s on’ brochure detailing upcoming events, workshops, movies and courses. Telephone (02) 9273 1770, email bookings@sl.nsw.gov.au or visit www.sl.nsw.gov.au/events.

 

 

Adults

Inside OUT – Backstage Tours	Dates	Times & Meet	Info & Bookings
Go behind the scenes to stacks, preservation studios, the Mitchell Librarian’s historic office and other parts of the Library rarely open to the public. See kilometres of books, fascinating collections and collectables, and special research rooms in this one-hour walking tour.	Tue 11 May --> Thu 13 May --> Sat 15 May --> Tue 1 Jun --> Sat 5 Jun --> Tue 8 Jun -->	12.30 – 1.30pm 5.30 – 6.30pm 2.00 – 3.00pm 12.30 – 1.30pm 2.00 – 3.00pm 5.30 – 6.30pm Mitchell Vestibule	$20 per person
Out of the Vaults	Dates	Times & Meet	Info & Bookings
Enjoy an intimate viewing of some of our most iconic and intriguing items. On the first Thursday of the month in the exclusive Sir William Dixson Research Library, rare items from the Library’s world-renowned collection are taken out of the vaults. Their little-known stories and secrets are revealed by our Library experts.	Thu 6 May Incunabula: books printed before 1500 Thu 3 Jun Modern Architectural Drawings and Plans	5.30 for 6pm Shakespeare Room, Mitchell Wing	$25 per person (20 person limit) Includes drinks and canapés
Movies on Macquarie	Dates	Times & Meet	Info & Bookings
Don’t miss engaging films from the State Library’s unparalleled collection. Every second Thursday at lunchtime we screen rarely seen or historic films that reveal the depth and range of film making created outside the traditions of commercial features.	29 April The Hunt for HMAS Sydney 13 May Friendly Enemy Alien 27 May Mawson Life and Death in Antarctica	12.10pm Metcalfe Auditorium, Macquarie Wing	Free
ONE hundred Gallery Walk	Dates	Times & Meet	Info & Bookings
Hear the amazing stories behind the wealth of treasures on display as you join curator Paul Brunton, for a guided tour of the exhibition.	Wed 5 May	12.30 – 1.30pm Information Desk, Macquarie foyer	$15 Bookings essential
Inspiration and influence	Dates	Times & Meet	Info & Bookings
Join us for a series of fascinating talks on the history, influence and inspiration of the Mitchell Library. Learn about David Scott Mitchell, the Library’s extraordinary benefactor; about the history of the Library itself; about the wonderful people who have worked at the Library; and about the impact of the Library’s collections on Australian cultural history. Presented for the Mitchell centenary in association with the University of the Third Age Tuesday 20 April – Paul Brunton, Senior Curator, Mitchell Library, tells the story of Australia’s greatest philanthropist, David Scott Mitchell Tuesday 27 April – Mitchell Librarian Richard Neville tells the fascinating story of the history of the Mitchell Library Tuesday 4 May – Emeritus Professor Brian Fletcher, author of Magnificent Obsession: The story of the Mitchell Library, talks about the contribution of Mitchell Library staff to Australian cultural life. Tuesday 11 May – Elizabeth Ellis OAM, Emeritus Curator and former Mitchell Librarian, discusses the impact of the Library’s collections on Australian cultural life. Tuesday 18 May – Join a guided tour of the ONE Hundred, led by curator Paul Brunton.	Tue 20,27 Apr Tue 4,11,18 May	10am Dixson Room, Mitchell Library	Free
Moving from analogue to digital: the race against time	Dates	Times & Meet	Info & Bookings
Beth M Robertson, Manager Preservation, State Library of South Australia, and author of the Oral History Handbook, will present an opportunity to learn about the very uncertain future of analogue recording technology. Beth will discuss the imperatives of moving to digital technologies to ensure that the recordings you produce today can be preserved for the future. Beth will make clear the challenges facing institutional collections in Australia and worldwide to digitise existing analogue recordings while necessary playback equipment is still available. For the individual oral historian, this is your opportunity to be reassured that you can indeed use the new technology without anxiety and enjoy its many advantages. In the afternoon Rosemary Block, Curator of Oral History, State Library of NSW, will conduct a practical seminar on oral history practice and technique.	Sat 8 May	10am for 10.30am – 4.45pm Metcalfe Auditorium, Macquarie Street building	$50, $45 (Friends) $40 (Oral History Association of Australia members) includes lunch. Morning or afternoon sessions $20 each ($30 with lunch)
SYDNEY WRITERS’ FESTIVAL	Dates	Times & Meet	Info & Bookings
The Sydney Writers’ Festival began at the State Library in 1997. A writers’ treasure chest Writers have traditionally used the Library’s collections to research their chosen topic. Uncover the rich variety of resources available, both onsite and online, take a tour of the reading rooms and view a display of collection items relating to famous authors.	Mon 17 May Tue 18 May Wed 19 May	12.30pm to 1.30pm Meet in the foyer, Macquarie Street building	Bookings for all Sydney Writers’ Festival Events and workshops are through the Sydney Theatre (02) 9250 1988 www.sydneytheatre.org.au $20 Limited to 15 people per tour
Writing for script, screen and stage Gain experience from those who write for non-book formats. Comedian and author David Smiedt talks about writing for live performance; playwright Katherine Thomson reveals the successes of writing for theatre and screenplays; and screenwriter Tim Gooding speaks on writing for feature films and television.	Tue 18 May	5.30pm for 6pm Metcalfe Auditorium, Macquarie Street building	$20
Workshops All Sydney Writers’ Festival workshops are held at the State Library of NSW during festival week, Saturday 15 May to Sunday 23 May. The workshops are conducted by recently published and acclaimed local and international authors with experience in teaching what they know. For the full program of Sydney Writers’ Festival participants and events see www.swf.org.au			(02) 9250 1988 www.sydneytheatre.org.au or visit the box office at Sydney Theatre (located in the foyer) 22 Hickson Road Walsh Bay

Family

Check it OUT - Library Information Day	Dates	Times & Meet	Info
A day for the whole family to celebrate the Mitchell Library’s centenary with artists, collectors, and an exciting program of engaging activities including: ● Listen as ABC radio 702 broadcasts live OUTside the Library ● Watch talented chalk artists as they bring the pavement to life with 3-D drawings ● Create your own art work on a chalk-board snake — great fun for kids of all ages ● Discover ONE hundred items on display in our celebratory exhibition, including Bligh’s logbook from the Bounty, Patrick White’s Nobel medallion and The man from Snowy River manuscript ● Enjoy a Cairo Jim adventure in the Glasshouse for five to 15-year-olds ● Be amazed by street performers, musicians and much more • Hear about the Library's diverse services, including the Family History Service, Indigenous Services and Business Services • Find out how you can research in the Library and from home	Sat 13 Mar	Mitchell Library Western Forecourt Macquarie Street 9am – 12 noon	Free

Children's Program

ONE hundred will include children’s captioning. Look for a program of activities built around the exhibition, both in and outside school holidays.

Download the Family Trail through the Library and exhibition - PDF (567KB)

Highlights of the children’s program will include interactive exploration of the Library on Cairo Jim’s Mysteries of the Mitchell tour and in the galleries we’ll host workshops by emerging artists and authors.

Kids @ the library – Take me OUT

12th – 16th April 2010

OUT back - Cairo Jim and the Mysteries of the Mitchell	Dates	Times & Meet	Info & Bookings
Back by alarming popular demand – an escorted backroom tour of the historic Mitchell Library, uncovering the unusual and amazing with Cairo Jim (Geoffrey McSkimming, author of the Cairo Jim Chronicles) 5 years and above	Mon 12 & Tue 13 Apr	10am – 10.40am 11am – 11.40am 12am – 12.40pm	$15 per child Suitable for children 5 and above
Drawn Out	Dates	Times & Meet	Info & Bookings
Inspired by the ONE Hundred Exhibition, create your own collectables with exhibition artist Todd Fuller. 8-15 years	Wed 14 Apr Fri 16 Apr	11am – 12.30pm 1pm – 2.30pm	$20 per child Suitable for children 8-15 years
Spell Out	Dates	Times & Meet	Info & Bookings
Use our unique alphabet to make your name and explore some of the State Library’s extraordinary collections. 5-10 years	Wed 14 Apr Thu 15 Apr	1pm – 2.30pm 11am – 12.30pm	$20 per child Suitable for children 5 – 10 years
Look Out	Dates	Times & Meet	Info & Bookings
Children and families tour of the ONE hundred exhibition Families	Thu 15 Apr Fri 16 Apr	2pm – 3pm	Free
Read Out
A storytelling session with Pauline – listen to Australia’s best selling picture book of all time - Possum Magic - and make your own Hush to take home. Preschoolers and families	Fri 16 Apr	10am – 11am	$10 per child

Schools' Program

Primary and secondary school students and teachers will engage with ONE hundred through educator-led and self guided tours, supported by a teacher preview evening on March 17th 4.30 pm - 6 pm and a range of online learning resources.