About the Library

Support the Library

If you're passionate about supporting the State Library of New South Wales, you can help it to acquire, preserve and digitise Australia's cultural heritage by making a donation to the Foundation.

Since it was established in 1987 by the Library Council of New South Wales, the Foundation has contributed almost $8 million to Library programs. Your individual or corporate donation is greatly appreciated.

For further information, or to make a donation, contact The Foundation.

The Foundation

The State Library of New South Wales is one of the oldest libraries in Australia, dating back to the establishment of the Australian Subscription Library in 1826.

It holds more documentary records of Australia's cultural heritage than any other place. Among its treasures are world's most significant collections of Australian and Pacific material, including the original journals of Abel Tasman, James Cook and Matthew Flinders.

The Foundation's mission is to support the Library and its collections by providing funding to preserve existing items, acquire new ones, and foster the Library's standing as an international cultural centre of excellence.

Download the Foundation Annual Report (PDF)

Friends of the Library

Become a Friend and enjoy the benefits of one of Sydney's most rewarding member programs. Friends support the library through an annual membership program. A highly rewarding experience, membership of the Friends provides you with:

exclusive access to a private Members room
special discounts and promotions in the Library Shop
discounts at the Cafe Trim
atmitchell, a news-packed, periodical magazine.

For an application form or further information, contact us.

For how to book an event, see Bookings.

Volunteers

Many of the State Library of New South Wales services are delivered with the assistance of our large team of skilled and enthusiastic volunteers. The volunteers assist with a range of projects, including:

quality control checking of digitised heritage items (eg Sir Joseph Banks' papers)
conducting guided tours of the Library and exhibitions
helping with mail-outs.

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact Volunteers.

Bequests and memorial gifts

The magnificent bequests of both David Scott Mitchell and Sir William Dixson in the early 1900s and, more recently, Miss Jean Garling, have generously contributed to the Library's continuing ability to link past and future. Their names are honoured by all who use the Library.

Leaving a bequest to the Library would be a unique and valuable legacy, and would ensure that your name be remembered by future generations.

Planned gifts, such as bequests and memorial gifts, are fundamental to the Library's efforts to acquire and preserve precious items, thus ensuring the access of future generations to the collections for the enjoyment of all.

For information on leaving a bequest to the Library, contact us.

Standard wording for the purposes of a Bequest (PDF)

Sponsorship

The Library promotes a sponsorship program of strategic partnerships with corporations both to help develop existing programs and to establish new ones.

To find out more about the sponsorship opportunities available to your company, contact us.

The Custodians

The Custodians are a group of individuals who champion the vision of the State Library of New South Wales. Taking pride in the Library's unique collections, they offer financial assistance designed to enhance and develop those collections.

Through an annual, tax-deductible contribution to one of five Custodian categories, individuals can partner the Library in its endeavours to acquire culturally and historically significant items, to conserve items for future generations, and to increase Internet access to information about the collections.

For further information or an application form, contact us.