New Media

Experimedia is the venue to explore new technology & digital arts in an exciting program of exhibitions, events and activities. Information about forums held in Experimedia can be found in Lectures, Talks & Forums. Information about bookings, costs and times is available in What's On. For Experimedia's hours of operation, please check the opening hours page.

Play Pod: Fun for kids

Daily during Library hours (except during functions)

The Play Pod is a colourful and kid-friendly space, especially for families with young children. Get comfy and dip into your favourite picture-books, view a children’s digital art display, or borrow an activity pack and follow simple instructions to make your own book, or a replica of Ned Kelly’s helmet! (Young children should be supervised by an adult.)

Sparky Stories

Sundays, 10am-12noon (except 28 Sept, 5 Oct, 21 Dec-18 Jan)

Free Sunday fun for kids aged 5 to 12! Inspired by illustrated books from the Library’s collection, each child will create a digital picture-book, complete with illustrations and their own narration.

Tracks of the Aurora Australis

1 June-31 August, daily during Library hours

In 2005 Alison Lester travelled to Antarctica as an Australian Antarctic Arts Fellow. She sent daily emails, describing her experiences, to homes and classrooms all over Australia, and asked children to draw their visions of Antarctica and send them to her. These remarkable images, projected on the big screen in Experimedia, combine the children’s drawings with Alison’s colours and design work. (Screening is subject to other programs.)

Create your own Facebook account

Wed 9 July & Wed 10 December, 11am-12noon

Learn how Facebook can be a social networking tool for you. In this session you’ll create your own Facebook account so you can connect socially with people in the virtual world.

Chess for kids

11 July-26 October, 10am-5pm daily

Test your skills in the original game of sport and war, using the large-scale chess sets in the Play Pod.

Blogging for beginners

Mon 14 July & Tues 18 November 11am-12noon

Share your experiences online! A blog (web log) is an online journal on any topic. Discover the basics of blogging and learn to use online applications like Blogger.

Digital storytelling

Mon 4 August, 1 September, 6 October, 10am-3pm; Tues 7 & Wed 8 October, 10am-4pm (includes half-hour lunch break)

Capture your memories on film to share with your family and friends! No technical skills are required for this fun, free workshop – simply bring along some photos and other special objects, and take your story home on DVD.

Outside-In Cinema

Wed 6 & 20 August, 3 & 17 September 6.30-8pm (approx)

Immerse yourself in the popular music scene at free screenings of contemporary documentaries from around the world, on the big screen in Experimedia. BYO food and non-alcoholic drinks. (Minors must be accompanied by an adult.)

August 6: Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme

82 minutes
From neighbourhood ciphers to the most notorious MC battles, Freestyle explores the rarely recorded art form of improvisational rap and shows hip-hop artists weaving their stories from a mix of language, politics and spirituality.

August 20: loudQUIETloud

105 minutes
loudQUIETloud is an intimate portrait of The Pixies and their difficult, tense and ultimately triumphant return as one of rock music’s greatest bands.

September 3: Dig!

105 minutes
From the moment they met, The Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre quickly bonded over a desire to not conform to the tastes of the recording industry. Yet choices over how to express their creativity and originality put the two bands at irreconcilable odds.

September 17: Joy Division

74 minutes
In 1976 four young men from ruined, post-industrial Manchester, England went to see the Sex Pistols. Three years later it was a matter of art, life and death. Pieced together from archival footage as well as new interviews with the remaining band members and musical experts, Joy Division is the definitive documentary about this influential and timeless band.

Make a card for Father’s Day

Mon 1-Sun 7 September, 10am-5pm daily

Show Dad (or another special person) how much you love him - make a card for Father’s Day, featuring your own message, pictures and decoration.

Blogging for seniors

Fri 10 October, 10.30-11.30am, Wed 17 December, 11am-12noon

It’s never too late to discover new technology! Learn how you can communicate online through a blog (web log), an online journal on any topic. It’s a great way to share your interests and experiences with others.

A night out at the Library

Fri 17 October, 5.45-8.15pm

They say the ghosts come out after the Library closes…Children aged 8 to 12 (and their parents) are invited to visit the Library after hours for a tour, supper, a film on the big screen and (slightly scary) storytelling. Don’t forget your torch!