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Port Gawler Map
  • exhibition

The Town of Port Gawler map, 1840

On display now

Free entry

2016 St Peters Girls School SLSA_1879.jpg
  • tour

Discover Your State Library

Self-guided school tour

During school term

Free

State Library ambassadors giving a tour.
  • tour

Private Tours - Make Yourself at Home

Ambassador Tour

Monday to Friday

Free

Mortlock Chamber, photo taken by Toby Woolley
  • tour

Make yourself at home

Ambassador Tour

Monday to Friday

Free

NAA train
  • exhibition

Camel trains to steel wheels

life on the Trans-Australian Railway

Saturday 24 August 2024 to Sunday 26 January 2025

Free entry

Bugs and fish
  • Event

Make your (book) mark

From Saturday 28 September 2024

Free, no booking required

NAA School children wave goodbye
  • Event

Camel trains to steel wheels family activities

Presented by National Archives of Australia

Saturday 28 September to Sunday 26 January 2025

Free, no booking required

Geography student photo
  • exhibition

Globally Connected

Student finalists of the South Australian Geography Photo Competition

Monday 14 October 2024 - Sunday 15 December 2024

Free entry

Lidia Groblicka – untitled artist’s proof - coloured linocut print
  • exhibition

Uncaged

Exhibition from the RSASA Collections and Fundraiser

Friday 1 to Sunday 24 November 2024

Free entry

Santa Course outside the Mortlock Chamber for Christmas 2024
  • Event series
  • Christmas at the Mortlock

Discover the Santa Course

on now

Free, no booking required

FugitiveEye_Geraldine_Halls
  • Event

The Fugitive Eye (1961)

A special one-hour screening and presentation

Friday 8 November 2024

Free, booking required

Conservation_workshop
  • Event

Rehousing and Preventive Care of Collections Workshop

Friday 8 November 2024

$80.00 per person
Bookings required

Tours hosted by our Ambassadors 

Immerse yourself in South Australia's heritage with a tour through our buildings and exhibitions.

Learn about our services and hear stories of people and events that helped shape life in South Australia.

Find out more about our private group tours for more than ten people.

Keep up to date with What's On at the state library

What's on nearby

'Place of creation' by Elisabeth Butterworth

Friends of the State Library

From all walks of life, the Friends have supported the State Library of South Australia (SLSA) with a tradition of cultural philanthropy over eight decades, to enrich and promote its collections and treasures for scholarly and public interest.

Centre of Democracy, interior image of the exhibition space.

Centre of Democracy

Discover the people and ideas that have shaped democracy in South Australia, and the power of your voice in it. 

Open daily with free admission, the Centre of Democracy is located in the Institute Building, corner of North Terrace and Kintore Avenue.

Rosa Fiveash, Billy Buttons on a cushion in the Redbubble shop.

Visit our online Gift Shop

Looking for that bespoke gift for someone special or something for your home?

Explore our online gift store featuring items from the State Library’s collections, and find a range of products, including home décor, wall art, stationery, clothing, bags, and more.

Plan your visit

How do I get to the State Library by public transport?

The 'State Library, Art Gallery, Museum' tram-stop is just outside the State Library. There are bus stops close by, near the War Memorial on North Terrace. The closest train station is the Adelaide city station on North Terrace.

You can plan your journey via Adelaide Metro.

Is there car parking near the State Library?

The nearest car park is Wilson's Adelaide Central car park, 225 North Terrace, next to David Jones.

There is paid (metered) street parking along Kintore Ave and Victoria Drive.

Where is the wheelchair and stroller access?

Access to the Spence Wing first floor and the Mortlock Chamber is via the lift in the glass foyer entrance of the library.

There is on-street disabled parking available on the nearby roads. View more information and maps of Adelaide City Council's Disability parking for permit holders.

How do I check if the Mortlock Chamber is open when I plan to visit?

The Mortlock Chamber may close for private events, check our opening hours for any closure times.

When it is open you can visit the Mortlock Chamber on the ground floor to look at the exhibition bays.  The upper levels of the Mortlock Wing include quiet study areas.

Is there a cafe at the State Library?

Yes, the State Library Cafe is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm and Saturdays from 12 to 4pm.

Find out more about the cafe and resident organisations at the State Library.