State Library of South Australia

Free guided tour at 11 am this morning was a superb introduction to all parts of this wonderful building. After coffee & cake in the café, we then happily spent the next couple of hours looking at the various excellent exhibitions currently displayed & ‘playing’ in the digital playground facility available as part of the Adelaide Fringe.
Definitely worth a visit for locals & international travellers alike.

Coolest library I’ve ever been to. There’s so much to see in it, deffinatly check it out. It’s really close to the museum and just a 5 minute walk (if even) to rundle mall. There’s also free wifi too and the guard was really friendly when I went there.

I don’t know if many locals within Adelaide stop to go to the State Library. But, it is really worth checking out. Well, I am a big fan of all things literature, but I also love aesthetics of a historical buildings. Not the entire state library is heritage mind you, just some parts of it. Of particular importance and for your viewing pleasure, be sure to go check out the Mortlock Chamber. This part of the building just brings out the nerd in me. It is large and open and holds an amazing collection of historical books. It smells like knowledge in there.
Best part about this chamber is that you can hire is out for functions! What an awesome background and experience to add to an event. I have seen the most amazing photos of weddings and corporate functions here.
Another thing to note is that there are regular tours through the library. Be sure to speak to the staff about when they are scheduled.
If you need wifi and a quite place to hang out in the CBD, this is a great spot. Please note that you are not allowed to bring in backpacks. But, there is a cloak room with lockers and friendly guards to help you store your bag.

I think Luke said it all — libraries are a hotbed of crime. I’ve even heard rumours that there was once a racket going on here were you could purchase stolen goods from your local fence, who happened to be friends with all the security guards (including one known as ‘Sunshine’ because he always said ‘I’m watching you sunshine’. But the jesting aside, these places are pretty cool. Okay, I may be a native Melburnian, but there was a time when I used to live in this place (okay, at least during the odd opening times) because it was basically geek central.
Anyway, since this place was a significant part of my teenage years I decided to once again pay it a visit (knowing that it has changed significantly since that time). Still, it is a heaps cool place with a modern art gallery on the lower level and a media centre where you can sit back and use their free wifi to your heart’s content. However, it is over in the Mortlock library where the real jewels can be found. The ground floor is literally a cultural museum of South Australia with displays covering the early explorers, the fringe festival and, of course, wine (not that I was really interested in that display). Oh, and if you love books, there are books galore, you just aren’t allowed to take them outside.

Since recently becoming vocationally challenged, I needed a quiet place to work, ideally without distractions of video games and television. On the advice of my significant other, I decided to try out the State Library. I remember libraries as peaceful places, where one can be alone with their thoughts and maybe a book. What I didn’t remember was that libraries are a hotbed of crime.
Signs that read «WARNING! A thief is watching you» alternate with «Where is your mobile?» on the desks. Multiple security guards patrol the floor, raising the question, given that they have apparently identified the thief and clearly have enough security staff, why don’t they do something about it?
Despite the constant threat of theft, I have found the library a decent enough place to work. The desks are nice and have power for laptops. There is free Wi-​Fi, which is mostly reliable, and despite the criminal element, it feels pretty safe. Just beware the person with broken reading glasses, they might have used the missing arm to fashion a shiv.
Anyway, the biggest problem is the opening times. Each day at 10am there is inevitably a line outside. I know government staff aren’t really fans of starting before morning tea, but there is clearly demand for a 9am opening.

The inability to borrow books sucks. It really does. Especially when you’re working on an assignment and you’re heading between the State Library & Barr Smith, and the State Library WiFi suddenly drops out. Photocopying sucks. Everything sucks.
BUT. There’s something that doesn’t suck. The ladies (and I’m sure men, I just didn’t get a chance to pester any of them with questions) who work here are great. Pulling books up from storage is so easy, they’re all super helpful, and of course you can find books you can’t seem to find anywhere else.
I just wish I’d walked through the doors sooner, no doubt there would have been countless books to help me with my many essays over the years.
I haven’t even ventured into some of the more impressive parts of the library, but I’m already in love. So many books to read and explore. I loved it.
I just wish:
a) they stayed open later
b) you could at least borrow *some* of the books
c) their Wifi liked me better

One only needs to look at the grand architecture that welcomes you into this building to realise how important the State Library is to the future and the past of our state. A great place to study, relax, steal free (is that an oxymoron?) wi-​fi and eat croissants at Aroma on the ground floor.
Great material, people actually study and read without making excessive noise and an extensive collection on SA and Australian heritage. My Nana loves the microfiche and being able to read old newspapers, I personally love the ability to disappear into a book for hours at a time and forget that I am in a public place.
A must visit institution for all those who call Adelaide home.

I’m going to write a review for a place I’ve never been to. Is that legit? Well I don’t care, I’m doing it anyway: The Moon is an amazing place, with incredible views of planet Earth and an atmosphere made up largely of. .. .
KIDDING. I’m reviewing the State Library of South Australia, a place I also have never been to. But I have walked past it and was struck deaf dumb and blind by the sheer beauty and appeal of the place. Out the front of the large, tastefully designed monolith are genteel grass lawns and a proliferation of trees, my favourite of which is big and green and leafy with sun-​dappled leaves and that magical feel about it that some trees have, maybe because all the leaves are rippling in the breeze or something, who know.
What I do know is that it had ten or so lawn chairs spread under its welcoming boughs, and in it were people from all walks of life reading tomes and novels, papers and autobiographies. It was enchanting, a little garden of the mind. Whichever boffin had this idea was a damned genius, and if this is the calibre of the State Library of South Australia outside, I can’t wait to go inside someday.

18÷1÷2012 Photos
This is a fantastic city collection of material that provide information, research and referral services for the community. You can see that other reviewers before me have rated this consistently 4 stars too.
I don’t want to jump too high on my academic horsey, but there seems to be a lack of interest in subjects about our Australian history in the school curriculum.
It’s very important to know history, especially Australian history… and while there are more interesting and popular subjects, what’s wrong with a little bit more education on the history of Australia?
I would like to take this opportunity to reach out to the public. The State Library provides many of us an opportunity to educate ourselves further, not just in history but in a lot of other subjects! Two books that I found here, and was totally absorbed in for a long period of time this morning was ‘The Fatal Shore’ by Robert Hughes, and ‘Illustrated History of Australia’ (Pictorial section).
There are a lot of books on offer here! For the more enthusiastic bookworms, this would be a great place to volunteer or have a casual job in! You would help a lot of people here!
From their website,
«The State Library of South Australia is the largest public reference library in South Australia with a collection focus on South Australian information and general reference material for information and research purposes.
[They]:
–actively collect, preserve and give access to the state’s documentary heritage (both historical and contemporary),
–provide public programs which enhance the cultural life of the state,
–provide support to South Australian public libraries network, and cooperate with other state and interstate agencies to enhance economic, educational and social benefits of the state.
Please note that… collections are not for loan and must be used on site.»
Read. Read. Read! It takes you to amazing places!
I think it’s better than TV, but that’s just my opinion.

I’m usually at the Barr Smith for study purposes, but when I feel like a change I take a walk over the State Library.
Conveniently located on North Terrace, the State library has gone under many changes over the past decade. The Mortlock wing is in tact, and has that turn of the century decore.
I used to go here all the time with my dad and browse over the massive historic collections and Microform.
I find it really annoying having to hand over my bag though.

I’ve been in here a few times, and I must say that it’s a pretty good library as far as State Libraries go.
Like Michelle, though, I’ve absolutely hated the enormous amounts of photocopying that I’ve inevitably had to deal with nearly every time I’ve come here. I’d be very appreciative if they were able to digitise the entire collection, so I could just take a usb drive with me when I visited (or better yet, when I visited the website).
+1 on the Mortlock Wing. Worth a look if you’ve got an appreciation of history.

I find this a great place to study. Since my course is by distance, and my uni is in WA, sometimes when I find I cant study at home, or I simply need a break, I head here.
The library itself is a really nice old building with lots of history, and it’s great that the Mortlock Wing has kept it’s original state through the modernisation of the rest of the library.
The only thing that breaks the experience for me is the level of security. I feel like I’m entering and leaving a prison!

The State Library really is fantastic. This review is only about the huge amounts of photocopying you can expect to do (especially if you’re a uni student), because every book I’ve ever picked up in here is not allowed to walk out of the library with you. In fact there’s a burly security guard who’ll check the contents of your bag on the way out. I get these books are precious, and there are unreliable borrowers out there but surely there’s a better way? In a nutshell — I’m just saying!

Set in arguably the prettiest and most picturesque spot in Adelaide, the State Library is definitely worth a visit for bookish types.
Architecturally speaking, it’s an interesting addition to the North Terrace so-​called «cultural precinct» with the original old buildings now featuring a modern glass entrance way and landscaped courtyard, with a café, benches and a fountain. It
’s not as jarring as the Louvre/​pyramid or anything, but I applaud the coexistence of old and new. Once inside the structure, the old wing, known as the Mortlock Library is a beautiful and very old-​school space (which I didn’t know was also used for venue hire — thanks Kristy!).
The collections themselves are easy to navigate thanks to a great catalogue and website — and thankfully there are always computers available. Perfect for a spot of research or just a few hours solid reading time from their extensive collections.

Inside the State Library of South Australia you will find the Mortlock Library. Walk into the Mortlock and you will feel like you’ve taken a step back in time. This stunning old wing inside the main Library on North Terrace has been preserved in its original state despite a complete modernisation of the rest of the library in recent times. I personally love the Mortlock Library and I love that the State Library has been forward thinking enough to understand that new can exist alongside old and not look out of place.
What is great about the Mortlock is this space is now available for hire to members of the public if you’re holding a function or event. I’ve seen the space decked out for a wedding and it just looks fantastic. When its not being used for weddings and the like that State Library uses the Mortlock as an exhibition space with permanent displays on the history of South Australian life.
You can do tours of the Mortlock Library (and the rest of the library) and find out more about its fascinating history. Just contact the State Library and take that step back in time.

This library contains a treasure trove of information and showcases some great exhibitions.
These included the Mortlock Wing exhibitions, which document the history and culture of South Australia. In the Trunk Full of Books display it recounts the origins of the library, from when SA’s first Colonial Secretary, Robert Gouger, brought a trunk full of books with him that made up the core of the state’s first public library.
I have a particular interest in the Ron Boland Newspaper Reading Area, which salutes the recognises the achievements and contribution to news of the former managing director of Adelaide’s The News, Ron Boland.
This is very much a modern library, so it also features interactive and online exhibitions, such as The Bradman Digital library, online cricket memorabilia. The library also developed the Bradman Trail on the life of the cricketing legend Sir Donald Bradman, but this is now on loan to Adelaide Oval.
The library offers free guided tours daily, which is very helpful because it is the largest public reference library in South Australia.
It’s particularly good for people wanting to research their family history.
There are computers near the Information Desk to help you in your endeavours and the website has great tips on getting started available on its excellent website.
The staff at the library are very friendly and helpful but often busy, so the website might be a good place to start with queries.

Any airy, bright, expansive room of books is number one in my book (pun not intended). While it may appear imposing and a little scary from the outside once you get inside the spacious white interior, it is a warm and comforting place.
Although I hate to admit it, I first entered the hallowed halls of the State Library on a research trip for University to find some essay material. There is such a huge amount of literature and a good catalogue that is very useful in finding accurate and helpful resources.
There is plenty of space for reading and/​or homework in my case with a working bench right along the whole back wall. There is also plenty of power points so don’t forget your various kinds of technology. There is also a security who walks around, not quite sure EXACTLY why but at least you know you will be safe! You also cannot take any food or liquids apart from water so remember that or they will confiscate it at the security check before you enter.
There is heaps of computers available too, some designated for Information Processing and some for Internet, make sure you check before you hop on one. Unfortunately the State Library is also a reserve only library which means you cannot borrow any of the books. But I think this makes the reading experience even better because you are forced to kick back in an armchair and leaf through as much amazing material as you need!

The State Library is a brilliant resource for anyone working around the city centre. You can almost always get a computer here, though the few that can access email and Facebook may require a wait (and always book it or you’ll get kicked off!)
There is also free WiFi if you have your own laptop handy, and you will always see people sitting around on the couches and floors with their laptops plugged into the walls.
Full of reading material, this is a great place to come to read any magazines. Their range is huge and they have back copies of each magazine. They’re great for literary journals and the more obscure publications that you can’t find in standard libraries.
Their range of books is enormous, and it’s upsetting that you can’t borrow them, though the reasons are understandable. It’s nice know that what you’re looking for will always be here.
Many of the less used books are kept in the library storage, but the librarians are happy to call them up for you, just give them half an hour. You can also book to have them called for you up to 48 hours ahead, so you can come in when you know you will have time.
You are also able to book small conference rooms for meetings, at no charge. This library is an incredible free resource when you get to know it. It’s also just a great place to sit in a couch, in the cool, and read something good.