The Great Book Swap
  • Event

The Great Book Swap

An Indigenous Literacy Day 2026 event

Wednesday 2 September
Free, bookings not required

Almost Booked Out

cropped tunnel book image
  • Event series
  • Pull Pop Push exhibition programs

Making Tunnel Books for Beginners

A workshop for adults

Thursday 3 September
$20.00 per person
Bookings required
Flinders University
  • Event

Writers Assemble! 2026

South Australia's new writers' festival

Friday 11 September to Sunday 13 September
Free, booking required
Smith's Weekly 19370729 page 3i edited
  • Event series
  • Stories from the Stacks

A cartoon rediscovered

An Australian treasure found at the State Library

Tuesday 15 September
Free, booking required
Karen Crombie
  • Event

Ready, set, edit!

With Karen Crombie from Exact Editing

Saturday 19 September
$125.00 per person
Bookings required
Jill Jones
  • Event

Ideas of Order

Getting a Poetry Manuscript Together

Sunday 27 September
$125.00 per person
Bookings required
Sugarcane Kids no text
  • Event series
  • Nature Festival

The Sugarcane Kids workshop

with Charlie Archbold

Monday 28 September
$5.00 per person
Bookings required
AGSA Start Art Book Club
  • Event series
  • Children's University

Start Art Book Club

An art and literature adventure

Sunday 4 October
Free, booking required
The Tunnel
  • Event series
  • Pull Pop Push exhibition programs

Pull Pop Push

Revealing the magic of pop-up books

On now until 24 January 2027
Free entry
Monica McInerney
  • Event

Let's Talk Writing with Monica McInerney

Presented by Writers SA

Monday 30 November
$125.00 per person
Bookings required
art of the panorama of the Port River and North Parade, Port Adelaide. SLSA: B 78677/3
  • exhibition

Painting the Port

A display of the 1855 Hankey panorama of Port Adelaide

On display until 31 December 2026
Free entry
B73787
  • Event series
  • Children's University

Ahoy Maties!

Free family drop-in activity

On now
Free, bookings not required

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

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.

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.

Shop for gifts

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 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.

Access to the Institute Building is via the external ramp on the Kintore Ave entrance or via the internal ramp between the Institute Building and the Spence Wing (opposite the Treasures Wall).

There is on-street accessible parking available close to the State Library. View more information and maps of City of Adelaide's Accessible parking options.

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 study areas.

Is there a cafe at the State Library?

Yes, the Library Cafe is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.

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