State Library of New South Wales
Discover the State Library’s rich history, filled with architectural highlights and hidden treasures
10am–4pm
About the building
Dating back to 1826, the State Library of NSW is Australia’s oldest continuously operating library and one of Sydney’s most iconic institutions. After moving to different premises around the city, the Library relocated to its current site on Macquarie Street in 1910. Since then, it has expanded significantly as the collection has grown.
The Mitchell Wing, designed by Walter Liberty Vernon, was built to house David Scott Mitchell’s collection of Australiana. In 1929, the Dixson Wing, designed by Richard Macdonald Seymour Wells, was added to provide storage and gallery space for Sir William Dixson’s collection of historical paintings. The central portion of the Mitchell building was completed in 1942. It featured the distinctive portico, ornate vestibule with its marble mosaic Tasman Map, and main reading room. The final sandstone section was added in 1964.
The Macquarie Street Building, designed by Andrew Andersons, then with the Government Architect office, was opened in 1988 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This contemporary addition connected to the historic Mitchell Building through a first-floor bridge and underground links. The new wing became home to the State Reference Library (formerly the Public Library of NSW), while the Mitchell Building’s reading room was repurposed for accessing the Mitchell and Dixson collections. Additional exhibition galleries were opened in the Mitchell Building in 2018, and in 2023 a magnificent underground auditorium designed by Andersons, as well as a dedicated Photography Gallery, opened below the Mitchell Library Reading Room. In 2025, Andersons lead a contemporary transformation of the Macquarie Street Building, refurbishing and expanding the Bashir Reading Room, foyer, cafe and bookshop.
Built
1910
Architect
Walter Liberty Vernon, 1910
Cobden Parkes, 1942
Alterations
Richard Macdonald Seymour Wells, 1910; Alan Robertson, 1964; Andrew Andersons, 1988, 2023, 2025
Find out more about this building here
State Library of New South Wales
1 Shakespeare Place, Sydney
Entry details
As well as the chance to explore the Library’s iconic public spaces and seven exhibition galleries, Sydney Open visitors can venture underground to discover the Library Auditorium and Glasshouse, open specially for the event
10am–4pm
3.30pm
Need to know
Accessible featuresThe Macquarie Street building is temporarily closed for a major refurbishment until late 2025. The Mitchell building is wheelchair accessible with an external and internal lifts. If you require assistance navigating around the library, staff at the information desk in the Mitchell Vestibule are happy to help and have a courtesy wheelchair. Accessible toilets are available
Toilets availableBaby changing facilities
Photography allowedVisitors and readers must not be photographed or filmed in an identifiable manner without their prior permission or notification. Library staff may not be photographed or filmed without their explicit consent
Food and drink availableLibrary Cafe
