The State Library of New South Wales was founded in 1869 and is both a working state library and a museum, in the centre of Sydney. For families the useful part is that it has spaces meant for children: the Family Room is a drop-in space with books, games and activities for children under five, and the Children’s Library is set aside for young visitors and their books. Alongside them are the exhibition galleries and reading rooms, and there are lockers in the reading rooms so bags need not be carried around. The Library Cafe is on site for a snack or lunch. The one thing to plan around is timing: the galleries stay open into the evening only Monday to Thursday, while on Fridays and at weekends they close in the late afternoon, so a weekend visit needs an earlier start.
Museum
State Library of New South Wales
A state library and museum in the middle of Sydney, founded in 1869, with exhibition galleries, a Family Room for under-5s and a Children's Library.
Typical visit
Ages
Booking
Opening hours
Exhibition galleries: Monday to Thursday 9 am-8 pm, Friday 9 am-5 pm, weekends 10 am-5 pm.
For little ones
The Family Room has books, games and activities for children under 5, and there is also a separate Children's Library.
Food
The Library Cafe is on site; The Library Bar serves drinks.
Cafe hours
Library Cafe: Monday to Friday 8 am-5 pm, weekends 9.30 am-5 pm.
Lockers
Lockers are available in the reading rooms.
OUR FAMILY ASSESSMENT
Family Intelligence
Why kids will love it
A central Sydney stop with a drop-in Family Room for under-fives, a Children’s Library and a cafe, alongside exhibition galleries in a library founded in 1869.
Plan your visit
Where: View on map
Also compare: State Library of New South Wales tickets on Tiqets (affiliate link)
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