State Library of NSW

The State Library of NSW is one of the great libraries of the world. You’ll be surprised by what you discover here, with free exhibitions, free wi-fi, a cafe, bookshop and a dynamic public events program.

The galleries feature local and international exhibitions of photography, history and art. Visit our new Amaze Gallery and experience some of the most iconic, beautiful and quirky artefacts from the Library’s extraordinary collections. Download our free Curio app to discover little-known stories about the objects on show, or enjoy a tour of the historic Mitchell building which dates back to 1910.

The State Library has over five million items in its unrivalled collections, including photographs, artworks, maps, books, architectural plans, relics and extensive online content (eg. ebooks). It’s the premier home of Australiana; Banks’ Endeavour journal, Bligh’s Bounty logbook and James Cook’s first map of the Southern Hemisphere can be found among its treasures. You can order archival prints of many historical collection items from the Library Shop.

Our two public reading rooms – State Reference Library and Mitchell Library – offer a quiet space to read local and international newspapers, access the internet and research your family history.

The State Library is located on Macquarie Street, near the Royal Botanic Gardens and a short walk from Martin Place station.

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