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Bugs and fish
  • Event

Make your (book) mark

From Saturday 28 September 2024

Free, bookings not 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, bookings not required

NAA train
  • Event series
  • National Archives of Australia - SA Selections

Curator talk: Camel trains to steel wheels

Presented by National Archives of Australia

Thursday 14 November 2024
Thursday 12 December 2024
Thursday 16 January 2025

Free, booking required

Christmas at the Mortlock 2022
  • Event series
  • Christmas at the Mortlock

Christmas at the Mortlock

Saturday 23 November 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025

Free, bookings not required

School choir singing in front of a Christmas tree.
  • Event series
  • Christmas at the Mortlock

School Choirs at the Mortlock

Christmas at the Mortlock

Monday 2 to Friday 6 December 2024

Lumina Vocal Ensemble
  • Event series
  • Christmas at the Mortlock

Christmas Carols Through the Ages

Lumina Vocal Ensemble

Sunday 8 December 2024

Free, bookings not required

Photo of a laptop on a desk and a man writing in a notebook.
  • Event series
  • Writers SA Spring Program

Unlock The Art of Feature Writing

Presented by Writers SA

Saturday 14 December 2024

$140.00 per person
Bookings required

South Australian Children's Choir
  • Event series
  • Christmas at the Mortlock

Christmas Concert

Hear the South Australian Children’s Choir this season

Saturday 14 December 2024

Free, bookings not required

Mortlock Christmas making activity
  • Event series
  • Christmas at the Mortlock

Christmas star ornament craft

Monday 16 to Friday 20 December 2024

Free, bookings not required

Storytelling Christmas at the Mortlock
  • Event series
  • Christmas at the Mortlock

Christmas Storytelling at the Mortlock

Monday 16 to Friday 20 December 2024

Free, booking required

Young Adelaide Voices - 1CC
  • Event series
  • Christmas at the Mortlock

The Joy of Christmas in Song

A Christmas performance by the First Concert Choir

Tuesday 17 December 2024

Free, bookings not required

Young Adelaide Voices Carols Choir
  • Event series
  • Christmas at the Mortlock

The Spirit of Christmas

Young Adelaide Voices - Christmas Carols Choir

Saturday 21 December 2024

Free, bookings not 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.