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What’s got us talking

The Salt Path

Have you ever just started walking to see what you'd find? One of our librarians reflects on his own journeys while exploring Raynor Winn's inspiring book.

HSC Help!

Our librarians will show you how to access and search the Library’s amazing online resources, which are especially useful for research projects.

Preview our new catalogue

Find out more about this exciting new way to explore the Library's collections.

Top 11 summer reads for kids

Whether your kids are looking for great escapes or brilliant careers, these kids picks are full of awesome stories to enjoy during the long lazy days of summer.

Critics' Picks - Top 11 summer reads for children

Collection buzz

Across the curator’s desk: Piranesi’s etchings, c 1761

Piranesi was an Italian printmaker known for his detailed technical drawings, architectural studies of Rome and imaginary buildings.

Piranesi, The Drawbridge c1761

Hassall Family Papers made available for transcription

Using our online transcription tool, anyone can now contribute to transcribing the valuable Hassall Family Papers. 

Hassall Family Diaries 1859 1865

Recently acquired portrait of Nicolas Baudin

Nicolas Thomas Baudin (1754–1803) was a cartographic surveyor and naturalist who led a French expedition to the southern parts of the Eastern Hemisphere between 1800–04. 

The 1946 Bathurst Grand Prix

View amazing photos from the 100-mile motor race which attracted a crowd of around 30,000 people. 

Across the curator’s desk: Bob Graham’s original artwork from ‘The Wild’ (1986)

Maria Savvidis, Curator in the Library’s Research and Discovery Team, shares an original illustration from a well-loved Australian children’s book.

 

Bob Graham’s original artwork from ‘The Wild’

Featured events

Drop in Activity Centre

Kids at the Library
Monday
Monday 20 January 2020 - 9am to 3pm
Workshop

It’s a lucky dip of fun at the Learning Centre these holidays Spark your fun muscle with us - don’t miss out!

Free Kids Tours

Kids at the Library
Monday 20 January 2020 - 11am to Friday 24 January 2020 - 11:45am
Free
Guided Tour

A fabulous favourites tour for the whole family – find out about the things that make us go ‘Wow!’

Children on a tour of the State Library of NSW

Warra warra what?

Sydney Festival
Saturday
Saturday 25 January 2020 - 2pm to 4pm
Special event

Warra warra wai were the first words spoken to Cook and his men; famously recorded in Parkinson’s journal and often repeated. Join us to explore the meaning behind these words, drawing on the collections of the State Library and the ongoing research by Dharawal people into this important history.

Silent Film Festival: Walkabout

Silent Film Festival
Saturday
Saturday 25 January 2020 - 2pm to 3:45pm
Movie

A young sister and brother are abandoned in the harsh Australian outback and must learn to cope in the natural world and along the way, they meet a young aborigine on his “walkabout".