The State Library of New South Wales

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.

Calling all architecture and design lovers!We are thrilled to be partnering with Architecture Insights on these upcoming...
12/06/2026

Calling all architecture and design lovers!

We are thrilled to be partnering with Architecture Insights on these upcoming events and research opportunities.

🎤 The Masters Project: Michael Mossman
🗓️ 8 July, 6pm
🔗 https://ow.ly/hOvB50Z9KjX

🎤 The Masters Project: Philip Cox AO
🗓️ 24 June, 6pm
🔗 https://ow.ly/gm9P50Z9KjY

🏫 Designing for discovery: Shaping libraries through architecture
🗓️ 14 July, 6pm
🔗 https://ow.ly/363F50Z9KjV

✍️ Summer Fellows Architecture ($1,000)
🗓️ Entries close 10 July, 5pm
🔗 https://ow.ly/MHz750Z9KjW

Openbook winter is out now! Inside you'll find articles by some of Australia's leading and emerging writers, as well as ...
11/06/2026

Openbook winter is out now!

Inside you'll find articles by some of Australia's leading and emerging writers, as well as collection stories from Library staff.

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

See highlights from this issue: https://ow.ly/4nMr50Z9IWP

Become a Library Friend: https://ow.ly/tTgL50Z9IWO

The Library is open every day this King's Birthday long weekend.Come and explore our free 200th Anniversary Exhibitions,...
06/06/2026

The Library is open every day this King's Birthday long weekend.

Come and explore our free 200th Anniversary Exhibitions, including 200 rare and curious items in the Amaze Gallery and an immersive digital timeline.

While you're here, be sure to check out our other exhibitions on display featuring Pamela Allen, Mervyn Bishop and PIX Magazine.

Opening hours: https://ow.ly/FwXv50Z7R3G
What's on: https://ow.ly/ltCg50Z7R3H

Share this with a nature lover. 💚 Alan Rigby (1901 – 1966) was a commercial artist, bushwalker, conservationist and foun...
05/06/2026

Share this with a nature lover. 💚

Alan Rigby (1901 – 1966) was a commercial artist, bushwalker, conservationist and founding member of The Sydney Bush Walkers Club Inc.

His collection, donated to the Library recently, includes gorgeous bush-themed artworks, photographs and greeting cards.

It also features hand-drawn designs for a club badge which members voted on. In the end, the flannel flower was selected as the winner!

It came to represent the club’s love for the natural environment and the need to protect it. The flannel flower is still their emblem today.

If you'd like to view this collection in person, please contact us via our Ask a Librarian service on our website and include call number PXD 1669.

Happy World Environment Day!

03/06/2026

Bringing the collections to life. 🦋

This year the Library is sharing its milestone 200th year with another extraordinary institution, the NSW Registry, which is turning 170!

To mark this special occasion, we’ve collaborated on some beautiful commemorative birth and marriage certificates inspired by the Library’s collection.

The certificates feature butterflies and passionflowers from pioneering natural history artists, Harriet and Helena Scott, and Ellis Rowan.

Available to order via Service NSW: https://www.nsw.gov.au/family-and-relationships/births/commemorative-birth-certificates/commemorative-birth-certificate-designs

30/05/2026

The definition of wholesome. ❤️

Thank you for bringing your amazing energy tonight to our Unplugged event!

A reminder that the Library is always here for you as a safe and welcoming space to enjoy alone or in the company of others.

Unplugged was presented in partnership with Vivid Sydney.

See upcoming events at the Library: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/whats-on

28/05/2026

Sydney Film Festival returns to the Library!

200+ films. 12 venues. 12 days.

Tickets on sale now.

https://www.sff.org.au/

26/05/2026

A moment to reflect.

As part of the Library’s 200th Anniversary, we commissioned two animations from award-winning First Nations animation house Studio Gilay.

These works reflect on the Library’s physical and cultural presence on Gadigal land, and invite visitors to see the space not just as repository of books, but as a site of continuous Aboriginal history, knowledge and presence.

See the full animations in our Mitchell Library vestibule.

Learn more: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/200-years/200-years-us

Today is National Sorry Day.A time to pause, reflect and acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Is...
26/05/2026

Today is National Sorry Day.

A time to pause, reflect and acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.

This artwork is by celebrated Wiradjuri artist and Elder Fay Moseley. Her painting shows a series of pivotal experiences from her early life in NSW, especially her forced removal from her family when she was 10 years old.

"So I grew up in the Cootamundra Girls Home and spent the rest of my time there wondering why we were taken. I'm still wondering why and I've never ever got an answer to that," says Aunty Fay.

'Circle of sadness' by Fay Clayton Moseley is on display as part of our 200th Anniversary exhibitions.

Learn more: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/paintings-collection

20/05/2026

We’re buzzing over this! 🐝

These lovely beekeeping notebooks belonged to 20-year-old Donald Ruming from Brodies Plains in NSW. They were submitted for the Junior Farmer’s State Championship for Beekeeping competition in 1950.

Donald kept a meticulous record of his two hives over the course of the beekeeping season, complete with detailed notes, photographs and diagrams. Along with the notebook, Donald also kept a diary with dried and pressed plant specimens that were collected near his beehives.

Donald was awarded first place for his beekeeping project, and as the winner he came down to Sydney for the Sydney Royal Easter Show where he met his future wife, Irene.

If not for the bees, they may never have met.

Happy World Bee Day! 💛

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

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+61292731414

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