What's On
Exhibitions, events and tours at the Library.
COVID safe library, what you need to know when visiting us.
- exhibition
Lust for Lifestyle
Modern Adelaide Homes 1950 -1965
Open 3 December 2021 to 24 July 2022
Find out moreFree entry
- exhibition
Our footy, our people, our stories
145 years of the SANFL
3 June 2022 to 16 October 2022
Find out moreFree entry
- Event
Design your own Footy team uniform
3 June to 16 October 2022
Find out moreFree, no bookings required
- Event
- Event series
- A Tuesday Talk
A Tuesday Talk - Books in my life by Dr Tanya Lyons
Presented by the Friends of the State Library
Tuesday 5 July 2022
Find out moreFree, bookings essential
- Event series
- Royal Geographical Society of SA Lecture Program
George French Angas as a pioneer South Australian ethnographer
Presented by the Royal Geographical Society of SA
Wednesday 6 July 2022
Find out moreBooking required
- Event series
- Illuminate Adelaide at the State Library
We Will Slam You With Our Wings
Illuminate Adelaide
Friday 15 to Sunday 31 July
Find out moreFree, no bookings required
- Event series
- Live and Learn
Heading for the hills and hitting the road
South Australian tourism in the early twentieth century
Tuesday 19 July 2022
Find out moreFree, bookings essential
- Event series
- Royal Geographical Society of SA Lecture Program
Benjamin Herschel Babbage
South Australia's forgotten explorer
Thursday 21 July 2022
Find out moreBooking required
- Event series
- Genealogy Gems
What to do with your DNA test results and understanding your matches
Presented by Genealogy SA
Thursday 21 July 2022
Find out moreBooking required
- Event series
- National Archives of Australia - SA Selections
Beacons by the Sea: Lighthouse Logbooks
Presented by National Archives of Australia
Tuesday 26 July 2022
Find out moreFree, bookings essential
- Event series
- A Tuesday Talk
Books in My Life by Nick Iadanza
Presented by the Friends of the State Library
Tuesday 2 August 2022
Find out moreFree, bookings essential
Tours hosted by our Ambassadors
Our excellent volunteer Ambassadors are back in the State Library glass foyer, based at the Welcome Desk. If you are planning to visit us, and would like to tour the Library with a guide, make sure to pop by the Welcome Desk and enquire if a volunteer Ambassador is available to host you, and your group of up to 5 people.
Please note: There will be times when volunteer Ambassadors are not available to staff this desk or offer tours. We thank you for your understanding about this.
The State Library is no longer able to offer booked general tours.
Keep up to date with What's On at the state library
What's on nearby
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
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.
Visit our 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
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How do I get to the State Library by public transport?
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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.
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Is there car parking near the State Library?
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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.
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Where is the wheelchair and stroller access?
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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 in the nearby roads. View more information and maps of Adelaide City Council's Disability parking for permit holders.
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How do I check if the Mortlock Chamber is open when I plan to visit?
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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.
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Is there a cafe at the State Library?
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Yes, the State Library Cafe is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm and Saturdays from 12 to 4pm.