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The State Library of New South Wales

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The State Library of New South Wales

For keeping up with exhibitions, events, news and services on offer at the State Library of NSW.

The State Library of NSW exists for the benefit and enjoyment of everyone who wishes to use its extensive range of services, collections, and facilities. This page is moderated as per the State Library’s Social Media Community Guidelines, found here: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/about-library/legislation-and-policies/reader-and-visitor-code-conduct

Proudly funded by the NSW Government.

13/09/2026

Lorrie Graham: Photojournalist is now open!

Explore five decades of extraordinary photography by one of Australia’s most important and influential photojournalists, Lorrie Graham.

Recently acquired by the Library, Graham’s complete photographic archive includes more than 100,000 images and negatives created between 1975 and 2025.

This exhibition, curated by Graham herself, brings together significant events, remarkable people and everyday moments.

Learn more: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/lorrie-graham-photojournalist

11/09/2026

RECLAIM opens tonight!

Here's a sneak peek from last night's rehearsal in the stunning Mitchell Library Reading Room.

Directed by Stephen Page AO, RECLAIM celebrates the resistance and resilience of NSW's First Nations peoples.

We can't wait for you to experience this once in a lifetime event as part of the Library's 200th Anniversary.

Tickets are still available for tonight's show at 7pm and tomorrow, 6pm and 8.30pm.

Book here: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/events/reclaim-contemporary-ceremony

📸 Images by Daniel Boud

08/09/2026

A special day for these young authors!

Today we joined Story Factory to celebrate the launch of 'Palimpsest', a new book of poetry inspired by the Library's collection.

Authored by students from Bonnyrigg High School, Chifley College Dunheved and Holroyd High School, this publication brings new perspectives to objects and artworks on display in our galleries.

Palimpsest has now been officially added to the Library's collection and is ready to be preserved for future generations!

Discover our Learning programs: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/learning

07/09/2026

A huge congratulations to the 2026 NSW History Award winners!

Tonight we celebrated NSW History Week by awarding $85,000 in prize money to some of Australia’s best contemporary historians and storytellers.

And the winners are…

📚 ‘Apron-Sorrow / Sovereign-Tea' by Natalie Harkin
📚 ‘Errol Flynn: The true story of Australia’s Hollywood icon’ by Patricia A O’Brien
📚 ‘Views to Die For’ by Mark Skelsey
📚 ‘Trapped!’ by Julia Lawrinson
📚 ‘The Anzac Table’ by Daniel Reynaud and Emanuela Reynaud
🎥 History Lab: Caribbean Echoes (Episodes 1 and 3, Season 7) by Sienna Brown and Ben Etherington

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the awards ceremony tonight.

The NSW History Awards are administered by the Library in association with Create NSW, with support from History Council NSW and Anzac Memorial.

Read the judges’ comments: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/awards/nsw-history-awards

04/09/2026

Your first look at RECLAIM. 👀

Premiering next week, this new work by Stephen Page AO honours the creativity and resilience of Koori ancestral warriors through dance, poetry, spoken word and music.

Don’t miss experiencing it up close in the stunning Mitchell Library Reading Room on 11 & 12 September.

Book your tickets: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/events/reclaim-contemporary-ceremony

01/09/2026

Dive into Openbook spring!

Our latest issue of Openbook features articles from some of Australia's leading storytellers, photographers and writers.

📚 William Barton, Skye McIntosh Violinist and Stephen Page reveal the libraries that made them.

🎭 Joanna Erskine reflects on her new Bell Shakespeare play A Night at the Library.

📸 Lorrie Graham shares her life as a photojournalist and visual storyteller.

📖 Kate Evans starts the countdown for ABC Radio National Top 100 Australian Books.

🎞️ Avryl Witnall traces the career of iconic photographer Max Dupain.

Become a Library Friend to get Openbook delivered to your door every quarter, one of many perks.

Become a Friend: https://ow.ly/ESkj50ZEnLQ

29/08/2026

Looking for a gift for dad?

With Father's Day just around the corner, gift dad a Library Friends membership.

Dad will enjoy exclusive benefits including:

🛍️ Discounts at the Library Shop and Cafe
📖 Openbook magazine, posted quarterly
🛋️ Access to the Friends Room
🎟️ Priority booking for Library events
💕 Curated Friends-only experiences

Become a Friend and get 10% off the limited-edition red cover copy of 'Definitive Dupain' published by Thames & Hudson, available exclusively at the Library Shop.

Buy a Friends gift membership: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/join/become-library-friend

28/08/2026

Have you seen the new 'My Brilliant Career' adaptation on Netflix?

It might surprise you to know that the Library holds the personal papers of Miles Franklin, the author of this timeless Australian classic.

On 19 November 1899, having just turned 20, Miles sat down to pen a letter. The letter was addressed to poet Henry Lawson, asking if he would “be good natured enough to read my yarn”.

The yarn was 'My Brilliant Career'.

Lawson helped to bring Franklin's debut to publication, but his mention in the preface that Franklin was "just a little bush girl" ruined her attempts to keep her gender a secret.

First published in 1901, this classic Australian novel has never been out of print.

See a selection of Miles Franklin material on display in our 200th Anniversary Exhibition.

Learn more: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/stories/miles-franklin

27/08/2026

Don't miss extraordinary performances by leading Australian storytellers and artists!

In our 200th year experience new works by Stephen Page AO, William Barton, Skye McIntosh (The Australian Haydn Ensemble) and Joanna Erskine (Bell Shakespeare) inspired by our collections and spaces.

Limited performances – tickets selling fast!

✊ RECLAIM: A Contemporary Ceremony
🗓️ 11, 12 September
🎟️ Book here: https://ow.ly/qo5Y50ZFsiW

🍃 Earth Flow
🗓️ 18, 19 September
🎟️ Book here: https://ow.ly/p5NG50ZFsiY

🦋 The Scott Sisters: Pioneers of Science and Art
🗓️ 25, 26, 27 September
🎟️ Book here: https://ow.ly/IZuc50ZFsiV

⭐️ A Night at the Library
🗓️ 20, 29, 30 September, 1 October
🎟️ Book here: https://ow.ly/YKIa50ZFsiX

25/08/2026

We love Book Week! 📚✨

Today we welcomed students from Plunkett Street Public School for the annual Book Week parade.

There's still lots of fun to come with free virtual excursions every day of the week!

Book here: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/learning/childrens-book-week-2026

Address

1 Shakespeare Place
Sydney, NSW
2000

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 8pm
Tuesday	8am - 8pm
Wednesday	8am - 8pm
Thursday	8am - 8pm
Friday	8am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 5pm
Sunday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

+61292731414

Website

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

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