About us

With a focus on national collaboration and cultural preservation, we support learning, creativity, and intellectual exploration to enrich Australia’s diverse heritage.

Who we are

The National Library is one of several agencies within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts portfolio.

What we do

The Library’s role, as defined by the National Library Act 1960, is to ensure that documentary resources of national significance relating to Australia and the Australian people, as well as significant non-Australian library materials, are collected, preserved and made accessible either through the Library itself or through collaborative arrangements with other libraries and information providers.

The National Library of Australia building at dusk, lit up with colourful projections.

The Library building lit up during Enlighten Festival 2023

Several people in the Parliamentary Reading Room. One man is looking down at documents on a round table.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Library Reading Room, 1956

Find yourself at the National Library

Speaker 1: On my way somewhere, I opened a door.

Like falling down a rabbit hole, I lost myself in a place for everyone.

And found the key [speaker holds up a Library card] for learning, discovering and dreaming.

Of course – this is the National Library of Australia.

Speaker 2: Home to Australian stories and treasures. Just waiting for you to find. It doesn't matter which way you go, you'll always find yourself somewhere.

Take a look – onsite and online.

Visit us

Find our opening times, get directions, join a tour, or dine and shop with us.

Plan your visit