Major building plan: Timeline

Our plan is to give readers and visitors the opportunity for access, learning and enjoyment like never before. Through a series of upcoming works, we will make the State Library's magnificent buildings fully accessible to all of our visitors.

Key stages of the Library’s building plan include:

Improving access - Works underway

Working with expert heritage consultants and architects we are improving access into and around the State Library by creating:

an accessible entry into the Mitchell building (complete)
a new accessible link between the Mitchell and Macquarie St buildings (December 2021 - April 2023)
a new, ramped access route to the Macquarie St building (complete)

Mitchell Reading Room restoration - Complete

Repainting the ceiling and restoring the floor of the Reading Room to its original 1940s glory, at the same time providing much-needed additional space for readers.

New photography gallery  - Works scheduled October 2021 - June 2023

Establishing a large, permanent gallery to display works from the Library’s extensive photographic collection.

New underground auditorium - Works scheduled October 2021 - July 2023

Build a state of the art, 344-seat auditorium for large gatherings and conferences (replacing the existing Metcalfe Auditorium).

Rooftop revitalisation - Stage 1 complete | Stage 2 complete | Stage 3 due for completion 2023

The Library Bar is a small bar licensed to serve 120 people. Accessible from the Domain, it has been designed simply so that no alteration to the envelope of the building will be visible from below.

Stage 3 of these works involve providing lift access to the observation deck.

Future Plans - Plans in development

Renovating the Macquarie St building foyer to better welcome and service the growing number of readers and visitors, including expanding the Library bookshop, improving the cafe and build better facilities.