State Library of New South Wales Museum

Address: Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Website: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/

Hours: Tue-Fri 10:00am-8:00pm, Sat 10:00am-5:00pm, Sun 1:00pm-5:00pm, closed Mon

Admission: Free (library entry gratis; some exhibitions/tours may charge)

The State Library of New South Wales is the principal public reference and heritage library for the state, located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It houses major research collections used by the public and scholars.

Public reading rooms, exhibitions and special collections draws visitors interested in history, genealogy and research. The library presents permanent and temporary displays from its holdings and provides reading-room access to important archival materials.

Established as the colony’s central library, the institution grew into the state’s primary library and archive over the 19th and 20th centuries. Its collections, including major Australiana holdings, were assembled through donations, acquisitions and government support.

The library sits in central Sydney within the city’s cultural precinct, close to other public institutions and transport links in the central business district.

• Central location: Located in Sydney’s central business district with easy access from the city centre and adjacent cultural institutions.

What to See#

• Mitchell Library: The Mitchell Library is the library’s major research collection specialising in Australian history and Australiana, with reading rooms for researchers and members of the public.

A short walk from Martin Place or Circular Quay stations; numerous buses run along Macquarie Street. From the CBD, the library is centrally located and easy to reach on foot.

• Use the Mitchell Reading Room for its architecture and atmosphere-the circular reading room is a showpiece.
• Check the events calendar-talks and exhibitions often feature rare-map or colonial-history displays.
• Arrive early on weekdays to use research facilities without the weekend crowds.