Northern Territory Library

The library is open to everyone. Housed in iconic Parliament House, the Northern Territory Library (NTL) is a reference library, whos fundamental role is collecting and preserving the Northern Territory's documentary heritage, and to make sure it is available for people to access, for as long as possible.

On permanent display for the public are significant works from the library's stunning collections, showcasing the Territory's eclectic and unique culture.

The Library also provides:

• electronic collections
• Australian & International newspapers
• online databases
• wireless internet access

A Significant Site was located where the Library currently stands. It was where Darwins Post Office and Telegraph Station were originally located before being badly damaged by a Japanese bombing raid on February 19, 1942.

The Darwin Commemorative Wall Quilt is one of the many works that adorn the Library walls and with patches recording almost 2000 names of people in the NT during the Second World War. Each patch can be viewed online on our website.

Also on display is an Historic Northern Territory Flag designed by Robert Ingpen which was unfurled for the first time on 1 July 1978, the date on which the Northern Territory was granted self-government. This particular flag was donated by Mr Karl Schrimpf who recognised its historical significance for the purpose of display in Parliament House.

The large painting of HMAS Kootomba is not just a commanding image, but a powerful depiction of the Japanese Air Attack on Darwin Harbour by Keith Swan. The painting was commissioned by the Australian War Memorial in 1975, and is currently on loan to the Northern Territory Library.

Our NT Information Stand holds a selection of classic and contemporary books about the Northern Territory including topics such as Architecture, Art, Society and History.

The Territory Stories Alcove contains a colourful display of Indigenous artefacts from desert and saltwater communities and an interactive 'Our Story' giving library visitors access to a rich collection of images, video and audio material representing the history and cultural heritage of many Indigenous communities across the NT. For more information visit the Libray's website: wwww.ntl.nt.gov.au

The Library's public programs, include exhibitions and displays alongside literary events and regular talks and workshops.

The Northern Territory Library is a valuable cultural institution, and an innovative and exciting venue.

Access to Learning Award.

In August 2007 the Northern Territory Library received the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Access to Learning Award which recognises innovative efforts of public libraries to connect people to information through free access to computers and the internet.

The success of the Librarys unique database "Community Stories ", allows Indigenous Territorians into remote community libraries to build and preserve a digital archive of their culture.
The $1 million US award is now allocated to provide funding of the Library program focusing on three key areas:

• Community Capacity Building through information literacy and computer literacy training
• Preservation of Culture and Indigenous Heritage through the Our Story database and
• Fostering Early Years Literacy and school readiness through appropriate library programs.
  

The Library hosts local and national exhibitions, literary events, inspiring talks, and workshops which support the Librarys commitment to lifelomg learning and literacy, and to engage the public in positive library experiences, while raising awareness of our resources, collections and services.

Regular talks held in the Library cover such diverse fields as technology, history, education, business and many other areas of personal and professional interest.

Workshops are also held regularly in the Library, with an active Family History programme of workshops held throughout the year.

The annual Northern Territory Literary Awards awards acknowledge written works of outstanding literary merit and reward the achievements of Northern Territory writers. The aims of the awards closely align with the Northern Territory Librarys crucial objective of promoting greater literacy through the telling of stories to entertain and inspire. They also contribute to public recognition of literatures importance to our identity, community and economy. The NT Literary Awards endeavour to cultivate a prosperous creative writing industry in the NT by recognising great talent; they have a further aim of fostering and inspiring a new generation of writers.

The Library also coordinates the Chief Ministers NT History Book Award. and the annual Eric Johnston Lecture. The Eric Johnston Lecture series was established to fill a gap in Darwins cultural calendar, since the city had no lecture series dealing in depth with the Territorys culture and history. The series was named after the Territorys Administrator Commodore Eric Johnston. Commodore Jo