Parliament Open Day – Sunday 14 September

Visitors to the 2008 Parliament Open Day on Sunday 14 September will be able to help celebrate the Parliamentary Library’s 150th anniversary.

Chris Tracey, Parliament’s Manager Visitor and Support Services, says there will be special displays, tours of areas of the Library that are not usually open to the public and the chance to purchase an autographed copy of a specially commissioned book detailing the Library’s history.

“Our Library is housed in a splendid neo-gothic building which has a long and fascinating history with fires, banned books and famous borrowers such as Katherine Mansfield. There will be a talk during the day to share some of these memories with visitors,” says Chris.

Parliament’s Open Day also features a host of other historical and cultural displays, and opportunities to walk through the most famous sections of Parliament such as the debating chamber, the Grand Hall and the Legislative Council Chamber. Behind the scenes insights include a look into an MP’s office, the Prime Minister’s media briefing room (the Beehive Theatrette) and the chance to check out the food on offer at the Parliament cafeteria.

“The Open Day is a chance for people to take a self-guided, self-paced look behind the scenes of Parliament,” says Chris. “The day particularly appeals to locals who might think the tours we run on other days of the year are really just for tourists.”

The Open Day is free and visitors will be admitted from 10 a.m. through to the last entry at 3.30 p.m.

Visitors should enter Parliament via the main forecourt off Molesworth Street. All visitors will be security screened and will be required to check in large bags. Mobile phones or cameras must not be used within the buildings and no food or drink (except bottled water) is allowed inside. Parliament’s cafeteria will be open and mementos of the day can be purchased at the Parliament gift shop.