NLA building | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Young woman studying in the Main Reading Room

Access a range of services and the Library's general collection in our Main Reading Room.

Library services

The front of the National Library building showing fountains and steps

The National Library operates from 4 buildings: 3 in Canberra and one in Jakarta, Indonesia. These buildings house our collection of approximately 10 million items.

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Volunteer Library tour guide smiling and greeting a tour group, made up of people of various ages, in the foyer.

Library tours

Learn about the Library, our services and our exhibitions by joining one of our free guided tours.

Library services

Group of men and a young boy playing cricket on the beach on a sunny, cloudless day.

Bruce Postle, People playing cricket and enjoying the beach and surf, with the Cape Byron Lighthouse in the background, Byron Bay, New South Wales, 2007, nla.obj-148396345

Summer opening hours 2023

Planning a visit to the Library around Christmas or New Year?

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Librarian wheeling a trolley with collection material around the Newspapers & Family History Zone desk

Newspapers and family history zone

Access hardcopy and microfilm newspapers, family history resources, and material from our microform collection.

Library services

Lintel Sculpture above the National Library's main entrance doors

Loui Seselja, Bas relief over the entrance doors of the National Library of Australia, Canberra, 2004, nla.obj-131049918

Artwork in the foyer, exterior and grounds

The National Library has a large collection of sculptures built into and around the building, and beautiful tapestries hanging in our foyer.

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Alice Kettle (b.1961), Australian Landscapes I–IV 2000 ca.1998 ; 4 machine-embroidered tapestries, Main Reading Room

Artwork in the Main Reading Room

The Main Reading Room houses a collection of sculptures and paintings inspired by Indigenous stories of the Australian landscape.

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A tapestry titled 'Finding Kenneth Myer'

John Young, John Dicks, Milena Paplinska, Cheryl Thornton (weavers), Finding Kenneth Myer 2011, wool and cotton; 230 x 302cm, Special Collections Reading Room

Artwork in the Special Collections Reading Room

The Special Collections Reading Room houses art relating to Australian history and culture in the post-colonial era, focusing on modern Australian people and places.

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Three colourful tapestries hanging above the main entrance doors

Artworks in and around the building

The National Library incorporates major works of art that have become closely associated with the building.

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Woman using printer/photocopier in the Special Collections Reading Room

Print, copy, scan

Use your library card to print, photocopy and scan in the reading rooms.

Library services