About the Library

Mitchell Library Centenary

Project 2001–2010

Project 2001–2010 is the State Library of New South Wales' ambitious plan to celebrate its collections and services and to preserve and make available our heritage for the inspiration, education and delight of future generations, culminating in the centenary celebration of the Mitchell Library in 2010.

Ten of the Library's magnificent collections have been selected to highlight in the years in the run up to the centenary.

2007 - Bequests and Philanthropy

The year 2007 marks the centenary of the greatest single cultural bequest to the Australian nation. On his death in July 1907, David Scott Mitchell, an avid collector of Australiana, left to the Australian people his extraordinary collections of books, documents, maps and pictures. His generosity and foresight, along with other great Library benefactors, such as Sir William Dixson and Jean Garling, will be celebrated in 2007.

Coming years

2008

The Mitchell Library's extensive collection of children's literature, including original illustrations, literary manuscripts and first editions, will be celebrated in 2008.

2009

The history of early land exploration in Australia, including the search for the mythical inland sea, will be celebrated through the Library's extensive holdings of explorers' journals and papers in 2009.

2010

2010 marks the 200th anniversary of the installation of Lachlan Macquarie as Governor of New South Wales in 1810. The Library holds most of his journals and correspondence. 2010 is also distinguished as the centenary anniversary of the official opening of the Mitchell Library on 8 March 2010.

Past years

	2006 - Terra Australis unveiled The Mitchell and Dixson Libraries contain many treasures relating to the early Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch explorers — Pedro Fernandez de Quiros, Don Diego de Prado y Tovar and Abel Janszoon Tasman. These collections will provide a focus for the year's celebrations.
	2005 - Photography in Australia The State Library of New South Wales holds a world-class collection of over one million Australian photographs, depicting all facets of life in New South Wales. This collection is featured in the major exhibition Eye 4 Photography and the associated publication An Eye for Photography.
	2004 - Literature 2004 is the 50th anniversary of the death of passionate Australian and acclaimed writer, Miles Franklin. The Library holds an extensive archive of her personal and literary papers. Australian literature is the focus of this year's celebrations.
	2003 - Sport In 2003, the State Library celebrates its historic and contemporary sporting collection with an exhibition and collecting drive.
	2002 - Antarctica Antarctica 2002 is the second part of a 10-year program highlighting significant aspects of the Library's collections.
	2001 - Matthew Flinders In 2001, the Library's unrivalled holdings of Matthew Flinders manuscripts, pictures, maps and realia have been celebrated, and continue to be feted in a national tour of the State Library's acclaimed Matthew Flinders: the ultimate journey exhibition.