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NLA building

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Looking from the back of an empty theatre towards the stage
Venue hire

In 2026, we are refining our venue hire services.

Library services
Metal shelves full of bound volumes in many different colours

A collection storage area at the National Library of Australia

Temporary changes to collection access

Current building works are temporarily impacting access to parts of our collection.

Information article
People looking at collection material and moving around the Special Collections Reading Room
Special Collections Reading Room

A dedicated space for readers to view and research material from the Library's special collections.

Library services
People reading and talking in a large, sunny room at tables, desks and computer stations

Main Reading Room

Reading rooms

Access the Library’s world-class collections and services through our modern and comfortable reading rooms.

Library services
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
People sitting, reading and browsing material in the Petherick Reading Room
Petherick Reading Room

Facilities, staff support and additional privileges for readers who are undertaking advanced research.

Library services
The front of the National Library building showing fountains and steps
Our building

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.

Information article
Man and woman in casual wear holding hands and laughing as they walk up the stairs towards the National Library entrance
Opening hours

Find opening hours for the building, cafes, shop, reading rooms and more.

Library services
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
Young woman studying in the Main Reading Room
Main Reading Room

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

Library services
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 history of our building, our services, and explore our behind-the-scenes spaces by joining a free guided tour.

Library services
Simple model of three rectangular, connected buildings with columns and flat rooves.

National Capital Development Commission, Photograph of proposed architectural model of the National Library of Australia, 1962 nla.gov.au/nla.obj-150871735 

Here is the news: National Library of Australia building 55th birthday

Learn about the opening of the Library building in 1968 and how collection storage has changed over the years.

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