It’s time for State Library of Queensland (SLQ) to blow out the candles on the cake as they are turning the big one twenty! It may be SLQ’s birthday, but we’re the ones reaping all of the benefits with a host of free activities and events coming to the cultural hub on Saturday June 18. A huge roster of entertainment will be lighting up the precinct all day with Brisbane’s premiere First Nations contemporary youth performers Digi Youth Arts set to interlace place, story and culture through dance and music, while Grammy-nominated Tenzin Cheogyal is set to dazzle with a performance on the Queensland Terrace. Those eager to get hands-on can don some white gloves to check out some of the rarely seen treasures of State Library’s remarkable collections on a behind-the-scenes tour. You’ll also be able to hear from expert conservators about how they care for SLQ’s collections on a conservation lab tour, as well as learn how to unlock your own home’s hidden history with help from some research librarians.

Little ones can be entertained by a bounty of fun-filled activities on the day, with plenty of opportunities to get their hands dirty too. They can join the curator of The Great & Grand Rumpus for a tour of sculptural, digital, and immersive installations, bring snacks along for a story picnic with accomplished songwriter Nadia Sunde or put on their detective caps to solve a house history mystery in a treasure hunt-style experience. Kids can get hands on and make a party hat (it’s a birthday bash, after all!) or screen print a memento to take home as a souvenir of the festivities. Of course, SLQ’s exhibitions will be open to immerse yourself in – you can discover weird and whacky installations in The Great & Grand Rumpus, celebrate the man behind the game-changing Native Title Act at Legacy: Reflections on Mabo and experience a decade of storytelling from some of Australia’s brightest First Nations voices in Sovereign Stories.

To browse the full list of events happening at State Library of Queensland on Saturday June 18, hop over to the SLQ website.