State Library of New South Wales

Every single book that is published in Australia is stored here. My mother was an author of one specialised book and she had to make sure that one was donated to this library. Obviously the book wasn’t a racy Mills and Boons, although with my family colourful history retelling it would have definitely fitted the formula. Whilst also the formula still fits in real life! ha
The library itself is very spacious and looking very slick and chic yet it is housed in a historical building. There are numerous rooms to sit down and browse and read the national and local papers or just surf the internet.
The library is free to join if you are a New South Wales resident. All I had to do produce my drivers licence as proof of… age, no really address. I can order books on line and pick them up from the borrowing counter within the hour. The books are housed out of view of the borrowers as this is a resource library and no books can leave the building. Be aware the smart looking guard checks your bag on the way in and on the way out.
It is definitely a quiet spot. The coffee shop on the street level is a thriving café anytime of day.

I can’t recommend this place enough. Fantastic resources for a tourist (which is what I am). Free wifi, internet terminals, cheap luggage lockers ($ 2 for 4 hours — lockers are huge), water fountains, toilets, newspapers to read, café and several free exhibitions always on show. There is of course, the fabulous ‘Reading Room’ which is an amazing space to view with books to the ceiling on all four walls, stained glass and a wonderful vaulted skylight ceiling. Discreet photography fro the doorways and balcony is welcome. It is always worth popping your head in and seeing what’s on offer.

Went there the other day to check out the World Press Photo Exhibition. Wasn’t disappointing at all.
The space was populated but not crowed, the entrance was free and the space sufficient.
I could see there was plenty of space to study and read, but all of it was being used, even on a Sunday, so probably is not the best option to study before exams.
I might give it a visit soon, the stone building was impressive and by the rest of the comments, the collection seems to be a delight. Shame I couldn’t try it by myself.

It’s in an excellent location, and it really is a nice sight to see. I quite like the Shakespeare room, as well as the main hall. If you’re in Sydney for over a week I’d highly recommend dropping in for a couple of hours if you get the chance. Plenty of history to see.

A hidden gem in our city. I’ve popped in to see some exhibitions. And the café is a great spot to wait for friends or discuss the favorite works in the exhibitions. I bought a couple of things from the book shop as gifts for friends.

I’ve never had to make use of the Library itself, though it looks impressive.
I’ve been here a couple of times for its photography exhibits. They regularly host shows of photojournalism, and these are always both gripping and well-​attended.
The space works for this, as they have exhibition rooms that are like a small museum. It can get packed depending on the crowds, though.
The fact that they gravitate towards press photography seems to match with the documentary nature of the Library, I think.

I find it funny to read reviews that complain about not being able to pick up books off the shelves at the State Library. If the public was allowed to roam the stacks we wouldn’t have a wonderful, in-​tact, well organised, and easily retrievable collection! Anyway, anyway, I’ll get off my soap box and just review the place.
All big libraries are a little intimidating and confusing before you get to know their quirks (and the State Library certainly can be scary). It can take a few visits to get the hang of the lockers, the computer stack requests, and the no-​bag rules, but truly … they’re a wonderful Sydney institution. Just ask questions! No question is too stupid for a librarian. In fact, most librarians will assume you know nothing (which, on the flipside, can be really annoying when you’re an old hand at libraries, but they’re just doing their job).
The Mitchell Library (that’s the older section of the State Library) is far and away my favourite place to sit and write, in the whole of Sydney. This is not like a local library or a university library — SLSNW’s resources are massive.
Most of the time, the staff are efficient and helpful, and retrievals happen smoothly … hmm … about 80% of the time. It gets a bit tricky when you’re requesting things at both the Mitchell and the State Libraries, and sometimes the staff get muddled about which desk to send you to, so I’ve been sent on a few wild goose chases for things.
During HSC study time it can be hard to find an empty locker, and pretty noisy inside the State Library, but that’s when the Mitchell comes in handy for a quiet escape. The upstairs galleries are also pleasant for exhibitions and events — though they’ve gotta have some of the noisiest, creaking parquetry floors in Sydney.

This library is, bar none, the best library in the southern hemisphere. But there’s a reason it’s here with on us on planet Earth rather than being ensconced in paradise. You have to go on the library database, fill out a form (title, author, year, reference number), hand it to a staff member behind the service desk and wait for 20 mins before you get to even see the darn thing. That’s just how they roll at this library. So sure, you get given the said book but that’s not because you so graciously bothered to walk in (ie how they do it at your local library) — but because you went through hoops to show them how badly you wanted it. And you don’t even get to keep it beyond library closing time. Basically you have a choice between sucky options: empty out your wallet taking photocopies of every page or come back again at a date and time that doesn’t suit you (believe me, no date is going to suit). I personally go back-​and-​forth between the two.
Still, it’s not all bad: there are newspapers ready to be read from all corners of the globe (thankfully you don’t have to fill out a form for those) while you’re waiting for your book or there is a nice café on top where you can grab a sandwich and take in the morning air while you wait. You can read a book — nope, don’t have to fill out a form for this one– that critiques every university in America (available in the reference section) or you can go to the bathroom which is located just outside the library. All of those options work. And when you do get your book (or books, you can do that too) you’re going to be the happiest little bookworm in Australia.

I never come to the State Library to read or study but rather to see the free exhibitions. They hold the World Press Photo exhibition annually and it provides a chance to see prestigious press photography from throughout the year. It can be shocking and eye opening at times but carefree and intriguing at others. It is a great event that usually happens around July that I highly recommend other people to visit.
I have also caught the ‘Beach, Bush and Battlers’ exhibition on Jeff Carter who was a great photographer taking photos of everyday Australians from the 1940s through to 2010. It was a nice way to see some of Australia’s history.
My advice would be to keep an eye on their website for upcoming events or subscribe to their newsletter. The exhibitions are always free so there is no excuse not to get involved.

Here is a library that stands demurely near the hospital on the edge of the city. It has welcomed me into this grande city for many a nights flicking through the pages of the books stored on it’s shelves. On my first week in Sydney I was always down at the State Library getting acquainted with Sydney and getting my bearings. It is conveniently located near Macquarie Street buses and the Art Gallery of NSW. It is open till after dark so you are able to relax and take in as much of the knowledge as you like from the fantastic selection of books. I really also enjoyed the regular talks that were held by historians, artists and scientists, they are mostly free and open to anyone who wants to attend. There are also some fantastic photographic displays in the foyers rooms. As there is a locker service available those with bags and valuables are urged to use the lockers this way you don’t have to worry about them as you search through books. A very positive environment to find yourself at.

Although the architecture is quite historic and beautiful, it lacks the mysterious charm of Victoria’s state library. After having visited the reading room in Melbourne which reminds me of the Da Vinci Code, the NSW State Library in Sydney feels plain and uninspiring.
What I do love about the library is their Under 35’s club. The biggest event of SL U35 is the Poetry Slam. I wouldn’t consider myself as a poet, but the interesting topics and themes, stimulates me to write a few short lines.
The library seems to be more popular with students. Completing assignments or probably just browsing the net? There are plenty of students doing group study so it’s not particularly a quiet place.
Their collection includes books, magazines, manuscripts, newspapers, maps, photographs and rare books.
Thursdays at Noon they screen a movie or documentary.

The new logo of the library is questionnable; it reminds me of the logo of a science discovery shop. Enough of that; the exterior of the library looks exactly the same (remember I have not seen it for about nine months now) yet so much has changed. Come inside, like wow: this establishment is really giving it’s Melbourne equivalent a run for it’s money. My MacBook Pro so belongs in this place. I love the study area as you head downstairs to the general reference library, and to your left are modern cream coloured tables with the most dazzling and striking desk lamps; and an abundance of space to do your work. The 80’s library has now gone forever (not sure about the Mitchell library; me thinks tradition is still there) and its so modern, classy and trendy right now.
Best to come here just as the library opens as this library gets busy real quick. The lockers are so white now too. Furthermore, their recent exhibition (at the time of writing this) called On Sale! Shops and Shopping is an interesting visit. From the main entrance you go upstairs instead of downstairs to view free of charge. Next time I am in Sydney, I will definitely make some time to write in this library. Bliss.

While I haven’t ever checked out a book at the State Library, I have wandered through it’s aisles and perused the dusty spines shelved therein.
I have also been to writers seminars in there, most notably a narrative comedy masterclass hosted by comedy great, Tim Ferguson.
I climbed the library stairs and crossed over into the appropriate hall, I entered the room. There sat Tim Ferguson prepping his material and making sure the DVD would play in the DVD player. Across the hall, as part of the writers festival, which the State Library takes an active roll in, is a class on travel writing, hosted by a professional in the field.
The room is comfortable, nothing flash, a pale blue room with fluorescent lights and basic seating and works desks. Tea and coffee in the next room. The classroom is intimate and the thirteen attendees are eager to learn.
A drawback of the institution being that should you need to go to the bathroom, and after the tea and coffee in the refreshment room, you probably would, is that the bathroom is located two floors below near the law books.
Should there be a seminar or workshop held in the State Library that catches your interest I would strongly recommend you attend. The classes are intimate, the workshops well run and the State Library is in a convenient location just up the road from Martin Place.
The library has an expansive collection of reference materials and literature, a shop and café all on site.