State Library of New South Wales

Fascinating exhibitions particularly of early aborigines and their lives. Also shakespeare plays. Well worth a visit

Just tested covid positive, and a few people around me were coughing and senzing from 1 to 5 pm on Tuesday the 19th of December 2023.

I am coming back to use the library's services for sure, but please provide n95 musk outside the doors as well as alerting members and visitors if they have any symptoms they should wear the musk provided.
Have some compassion for your fellow human being.

Really cool place to study but printing here is a trek. The cafe is quite good but needs more options

Fantastic gem of a library. It is much much more than a library. It challenges the Museums for what it shows and has. Be surprised. There is a new and old part of the building. Both are fantastic. Library exhibitions are historical, they save everything whereas museums acquire the best. While I was there (June 2023), they must have had 10-12 exhibitions going on - some permanent, some temporary. I really enjoyed the picture book exhibit - it put a different perspective on the "art" of children's books. I was extremely impressed and spent more than 2 hours just there. Also, the work space in the old building was awe-inspiring - 3 stories of book with work space at big desks below. Busy, almost every space used. Work space in new building is also conducive to productivity and inspiring. Book store is full and tight, tough to navigate but worthy of a browse. It is right near the botanic gardens but you might not get to other sights once you hit the library. Went on a tour of the "conservation department" - well worth it especially if you ask questions - archivists and conservators were very interactive.

Beautiful Library. Amazing galleries. They are showing right now a fascinating gallery called: Kill or Cure full of comprehensive displays of old medicinal practices. Another beautiful gallery is one called Imagine that is catered for kids displaying books for kids, seated areas, drawings, book narrations. We walked around and spent about two hours walking around town.highly recommended.

Its a great library with many sources. It has a wide range of books and also a digital bay to browse/ work. Librarians were so helpful and friendly. They will even provide you backup power supply for your mobile/ laptop if you have library membership card.

A lovely building. Adjacent to the Botanical gardens in the heart of the CBD it is a nice quiet oasis. Inside the stain glass windows add character and the glass roof let's natural light in. Only reason it's a four is because I gave the Melbourne library a five and that was something else literally I guess.

Go and see the wonderful exhibitions on now. Loved the kids book illustrations and historical portraits. A must see in a beautiful grand old landmark building.

Always the past & the present of Australian intellectual & historical treasury will be giving to us a glimpse into the future!

Magnificent building Mitchell Reading Room has much old world charm and the Kill or Cure exhibition was informative, interesting and extremely well prepared and presented

After using the online 'Ask a librarian' and the 'Document Supply Service' the team at the Library do a wonderful job in conserving, publicising and making records available around the World. They have been a great help to me in my research.

A beautiful historical building well worth the visit to! The library is immaculately clean and well looked after.

I would recommend this a stop for everyone, as there is something for everyone!

Great place to spend an hour or two with kids. We just dropped in as we were in the city. Like with most libraries, great selection of children's books for all ages. We can borrow them too (from our local council library) if you really want to. It's also a peaceful place to do some research on just walk through an art gallery.

An important location in Sydney, it houses one of the largest Indigenous Australian history collections in the country. Highly recommended!

州立圖書館，好大、好宏偉。入去睇書，幻想自己好似升級咗好多個Level。

State library, so big and grand. Go in and read the book, imagining that I have been upgraded for many levels.

Came here for World Press Photo and I absolutely love that exhibition. State Library of NSW is the perfect location. Beautiful, clean building. Even if just passing by it's worth to have a look inside. The library is huge.

Library Council of NSW Annual Report

Signed by

The Hon George Souris AM
President,
Library Council of New South Wales

Dr John Vallance FAHA
State Librarian
and Secretary, Library Council
of New South Wales

Our Values

Equity of Access

"• Provide free, uncensored and unbiased
access to information"

Library hours are reasonable, staff vet helpful.

Cafe drink prices comparable to city prices.

Food choices leave a lot to be desired.

You are much better off to BYO lunch,

save your money and get better quality.

Such a cool library not just a good palace to read and study, there some exhibitions can visit. The collection of paintings are permanent.

The lady I spoke to in the family history section couldn't have been more help
The help was greatly appreciated