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The Library is open. See frequently asked questions.

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What’s got us talking

Find out more about our major building plans.

Proposed Mitchell Street entrance access upgrade

Enjoy onsite and online events from 2-5 December.

BAD Crime Writers Festival

Order it for free with your Creative Kids voucher.

Materials in the Creative Kids box

Read a glossary of tapu terms by Winnie Dunn.

Illustration from map The Kingdom of Tonga, c 1979

Collection buzz

Celebrating 100 years of Little Obelia

In time for the Christmas present rush 100 years ago — in November 1921 — May Gibbs released her third and final full-length book featuring Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.

Happy 100th birthday Ginger!

Ginger Meggs, Australia’s longest running comic strip character and national icon, burst to life on 13 November 1921 in the first issue of the Sunbeams colour comic supplement.

Distant peaks

Of the thousands of maps in the State Library’s collection, Aaron Arrowsmith’s Chart of the Pacific Ocean is one of the most fascinating.

Alice Tonkinson examines the Arrowship map of the Pacific from 1798, photo by Joy Lai

Take 5 lighthouses

Discover some of the oldest and most unique lighthouses across NSW – from Eden to Wollongong, Norah Head to Cape Byron.

Spine tingling

Looking closely at the spine could unlock the mystery of a rare book, or it could raise more questions.

Book spines

Featured events

Exploring our Environment

Schools
Friday
Friday 3 December 2021 - 10am to 10:45am
Free
Virtual excursion

Take a walk with us and investigate our land’s unique geography. 

Drawing of bushland

B List Special: Bri Lee and Rick Morton

The B List bookclub
Tuesday
Tuesday 7 December 2021 - 6pm to 8pm
Talk

Join us for a very special B List to mark the end of the 2021 season.

full body shot of Bri Lee sitting in front of stained glass window
Onsite

Freedom of speech for whom?

Thursday
Thursday 9 December 2021 - 6pm to 7pm
Talk

Special Address for PEN Sydney by Dr Mehreen Faruqi, NSW Senator.

headshot of Dr Mehreen Faruqi
Onsite

Christmas Blackout Poetry

Schools
Friday
Friday 10 December 2021 - 10am to 10:45am
Free