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The State Library is temporarily closed until further notice. See updates here.

Plan your visit

Plan your visit

Library opening hours

Getting here

By public transport

The closest train stations are Martin Place (200 metres) and St James (450 metres). Ferries arrive into Circular Quay which is only a short walk away. The Sydney Explorer bus stops outside the Library on Macquarie Street.

By car

The nearest parking station is Sydney Hospital, located on Hospital Road.

If you have a Mobility Parking sticker, you can use the parking spaces at Shakespeare Place, on the corner of Macquarie Street and the Cahill Expressway.  

Plan your trip at transportnsw.info

Access at the library

The wheelchair and pram-friendly entrance is on Macquarie Street, opposite Hunter Street. There are lifts in the building, accessible toilets and baby change room facilities. If you require assisted entry contact the Library on +61 2 9273 1414 or find our more here.

Access and inclusion

Find out more in our Access & Inclusion section.

People crossing road with Library in background

Facilities

Get a library card 

 

Large sandstone building with blue sky behind and people walking to it

In your language

The Library offers a number of resources in other languages. 

Multicultural women smiling

Spaces for reading, research and study Come in and explore the variety of spaces we have throughout the Library

Governor Marie Bashir Reading Room

Visit this reading room to use the collections, get help with your research, work on a group project or find a place to study.

Two clients studying at a desk in the Governor Marie Bashir Reading Room

Mitchell Library Reading Room

Enjoy this beautiful, light-filled space while browsing the shelves, collaborating on a group project, using the free wi-fi or quietly studying.

Clients studying in the Mitchell Library Reading Room

Special Collections area

The Special Collections area is a dedicated space to use original material and rare printed material from the Library's collections. The Special Collections area is closed on Sundays.

Mitchell Library Reading Room from above with bookcases and desks

Study rooms

With your Library card you can book a study room online, or at the Library, to use for individual or group study.

Group of people sitting at table who are working together on laptop in a study room

Friends Room

The magnificent Friends room is on the ground floor of the historic Mitchell Library building.

Men and women reading in large plush room

The Children’s Library

The Children’s Library is a space for children and families to explore children’s books and experience the joy of reading.  It’s a place to browse an engaging collection of some of the best children’s and youth literature from Australia and the world.

A boy in a workshop smiling

Family Room

Drop-in and take a timeout in our special drop-in space for pre-schoolers and their families.

child playing

Gallery & exhibition spaces Drop in for a range of events and free exhibitions

What's On

Find out all the latest exhibitions and events here.

Projections of a grid of portraits projected onto a gallery's walls.

Eat, Drink & Shop Recharge in our cafe and take a look around the Library Shop

Cafe Trim

Opening hours

Monday to Friday 7.30 am to 5 pm
Weekends 10.30 am to 4.30 pm

Coffee in red cup

The Library Shop

Opening hours

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Weekends 11am to 5pm

People talking and reading books in bookshop

Library activities Join our tours, workshops or talks on each day

What can I do at the Library?

Visit our free exhibitions in the gallery spaces; take a tour of our heritage listed building, join us at a workshop or talk.

Two women looking at tablet displays in a gallery

Tours

Explore the full riches, curiosities and history of the Library
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