State Library of NSW Reviews

The Captain Cook exhibition was interesting and informative, especially from the Indigenous perspective

The WiFi connection is painful, slow and disconnects continuously.

A very nice state library with many available tables for study.
There are few exhibition halls in the library.
Worth a visit when you are in Sydney.

Mitchell Library (the old majestically beautiful building) is connected to the new modern library building via tunnel at lower ground level, just pass the reading hall and glasshouse learning space. Bookmarks are free to grab!

Made deliberately unfriendly. Confusing. You need to put a stamp on my books? This isn't a library.

Sydney libraries are all terrible. Ask Melbourne or Brisbane how to do a library PLEASE.

Staff lack English speaking skills.All types of books are available.Biggest library in Sydney.

I've been here a couple of times, and have found it great. Each time I came in to work on my computer, and despite coming partway through the day, even with it being busy, I've managed to find a space to work at.

I am in love with this Public Library. The Mitchell Reading Room is peaceful and has an amazing quiet atmosphere. Whether you just want to have a glance or want to spend a couple of hour to read, study or work, I highly recommend this place.

Best library in town and problably in NSW. Good chairs, well-lit and spacious. Internet is excellent

This is an amazing place! Either to visit, study or research it has a great atmosphere and it is indeed beautiful!

It a nice place even for a quick glace if you are visiting Sydney. I really like especially the main room.

Great place for reading. Some interesting exhibitions. Free.

Love the State Library. I've been to talks and exhibits many times and always enjoy it. Recently, I was there for the World Press Exhibit and it was wonderful.

I am impressed with all the State Library has to offer. The gift shop next to the cafe is delightful - the items boast a cheerful standard of quality and originality.

It is wheelchair accessible, clean, light and airy.
The older gallery section is ambient and richly coloured.

The paintings and portraits hanging in the gallery are also digitised in high-resolution, enabling you to zoom in for further detail and information. It is a brilliant idea.

Staff were polite and helpful as they showcased these features, which added value to our experience.

A huge library and full service. easy to get in, quiet and manner when I was there. Always busy but not too hard to get the table. the toilet is clean and also can go to get a coffe next to the library. you can sign up for the member on online and go to the library to get you member card.

There is a free gallery on the second floor, so be sure to visit it and check out the reading room.

Not only the building but also the furnishings of the large reading room in the old building and the exhibitions (except one) were very good. The entrance was free.

Good spot where you can study or focus on your things, plus free internet..

Great place to work - quiet, easy to find a table with many plugs and the wifi works well.

Historical beautiful building. The library has not only precious book collections but also small art gallery. I like the atmosphere.

A very beautiful space with a lovely marble staircase. But it s not a lending library, you cannot borrow the books. And you cannot take food, liquid, or a large bag. Lockers are available but there s a fee. Wonderfully quiet and the staff are so kind and helpful.

Attended the BAD Sydney's Writers Festival.
So enjoyed the cleanliness & ambiance of the building coupled with the opportunity to meet our amazing Authors.
Cafe is a must treat.
Enjoyed a healthy wrap and an almond flat white.
Book & Gift Shop hold items that would satisfy any fussy or particular person.
I parked almost directly accross the street in Wilson's Parking.
$15 for 3hrs on Sunday.
It's a must visit for all family members.
Enjoy!!!

This is not what I would call a library, especially the state library. A library is a friendly open place where people read and study. Here I felt like was in a museum or art gallery, studying in a place I wasn't suppose to. The wifi is absolutely horrible. Took a couple mins just to connect to the network. Security was very overbearing for a library. NSW needs to seriously rethink how they manage things. The State Library of Victoria puts this place to total shame.

State Library of New South Wales is one of the largest libraries at the continent, located in a beautiful classic building at Macquarie Street in central part of Sydney NSW, right near Royal Botanic Gardens. The library was established about 190 years ago and received a status of a large public library by a special Governmental Act dated by 1936. The collection is estimated to account for about 5 million items, with over 2 million books, 1.2 million microfilms, about 1 million photos, and other valuable items.
It consists of the Mitchell Library, the Dixson Library, the Macquarie Street Wing and the State Reference Library. There is also the Library Shop and two cafes Cafe Trim and the Glasshouse cafe.

The Library houses and hosts extensive collections and exhibitions, as well as talks, tours and movies. To this end, the Library holds over 5 million items and aims to collect, preserve and make accessible the documentary heritage of NSW.

The State Library of New South Wales, part of which is known as the Mitchell Library, is a large heritage-listed special collections, reference and research library open to the public. It is the oldest library in Australia, being the first established in the colony of New South Wales (now a state of Australia) in 1826

It is a nice and convenient place to enjoy reading and to spend time in completing written papers.

Good place for studying and it feels like a real library! The food in the cafe is ok

A quiet library with a good collection of books, magazines, and computers for public use. Also has a cafe for your convenience. Occasionally there are also art exhibitions there.

I have been listening to the pod casts and find them fascinating! I particularly enjoyed the one about Building the Bridge. Very well researched, factual and presented in a very entertaining fashion Highly recommended!

Really nice and quiet library. Good WiFi and open until 8pm Monday to Thursday (closes sooner on other days I think)

More than just a library, upstairs there are also special exhibitions and a gallery which are definitely worth a look and explore - all FREE too!!

Take a break from the heat and enjoy the art of peace.

A simply beautiful building and the absolute best place to study. I much prefer the original building to the new one next to it. They have the usual locker system so you can leave your bag and concentrate on your work in silence, surrounded by books and the lovely architectural space.

A great place to visit, the poetry section is small, but found a wonderful book, " Poems in Total 46" by Dale Quentin, highly recommend you read.

Wow they have spent so much money here redoing The Mitchell Library, but they forgot some very fundamental things in their upgrade. After spending millions of dollars on this, why no soft close doors on the bathrooms, how annoying to sit in the reading room or many of the waiting rooms to be constantly interrupted with the banging of doors closing.
What idiot architect came up with this cheap and shoddy idea. The Mitchell library needs to get their act together- very disappointing.

Great exhibitions at the moment. Spend and hour and see the exhibits

Nice and quiet place to read or study. Great atmosphere.

Great place to study and read books. Nice atmosphere.

Always beautiful and quite, a very good place to take a seat and enjoy reading and studying.
The Library is beautifully designed and is marvelous to look around. I would recommend people living close by to join the library.

I had a good experience there.

Thanks

Fantastic.... The Annual World Press Photo Finalists Exhibition, on until 18th October 2020

Beautiful library, grand feel and quiet working space, good for study.

They have cellphone charging trees, complete with cables that plugin to your phone #enoughsaid. However, there are often tempermental patrons, some of whom are clearly suffering from mental health issues, this can be a bit of a distraction, but for the most part people are great.