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What’s got us talking

Read about the National Biography Award winners.

National Biography Award winners

View the shortlists for the NSW Premier’s History Awards.

A selection of books shortlisted for the NSW Premier's History Awards

Learn about our plans to extend the Library Bar observation deck.

People having drinks on the observation deck of the Library Bar

Find out more about our major building plans.

Collection buzz

Dye hard

The Tintex Girl brightened a world dulled by rationing.

A painting of the Tintex Girl by Edward Francis Cole, c 1920

The printer’s mark

That curious penguin on the spine of your favourite paperback isn’t there just for decoration.

Ashendene Press, 1922

The graphic design of Donald Fish

Boxes filled with artwork, illustrations, posters, photographs and advertisements mark an acclaimed designer's life.

The original artwork for a 1955 advertisement for Tooth’s KB beer. Both driver and locomotive are smiling — they know the end of the line is nigh

Take 5 trees

To mark the progress of the seasons, as the days become shorter and the temperature cools, we take a look at some trees in the Library's collection.

Boab tree, group of men and women, North Western Australia, c 1930, glass plate negative, Australian National Travel Association

Big bold botanicals

What could a twentieth-century artist’s book by surrealist Salvador Dali have in common with an early nineteenth-century French volume documenting the plants in a famous garden?

Flora Dalinae, flore, 1969 by Salvador Dali

Featured events

Storytime in the Children's Library

Kids at the Library
Wednesday
Wednesday 24 August 2022 - 10am to 10:30am
Free
Workshop

Come and join us in the beautiful Children's Library for preschool storytime.

Bodysnatchers with Suzie Lennox

Exhibition related
Author Talks
Wednesday
Wednesday 24 August 2022 - 6pm to 7pm
Free
Talk

Author Suzie Lennox explores the rise of body snatching in Georgian Britain.

Cover image of Bodysnatchers: Digging Up the Untold Stories of Britain's Resurrection Men by Suzie Lennox
Online

Noticing Animals

Author Talks
Thursday
Thursday 25 August 2022 - 11am to 12pm
Free
Talk

Zoë Sadokierski discusses urban field work and creative practice with Dieter Hochuli, Sara Judge and Helen Sullivan.

A continuous line drawing of a garden landscape, including trees, outdoor furniture, and the edge of a veranda. Handwritten text above reads 360 degree backyard.
Onsite

HSC Help 2022

HSC help!
Schools
Monday 12 September 2022 - 10am to Wednesday 14 September 2022 - 4:30pm
Free
Workshop

Join the State Library for a series of FREE help days for HSC students in the lead up to exams.  

Students in the Library
Learning
Online