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200 Years 200 years of libraries 200 years of us 200 years of awe What's On

We’re marking the State Library’s 200th Anniversary with a dynamic year-long program of exhibitions, talks, installations and performances. 

Join us as we reflect on the surprising and transformative moments that have shaped this extraordinary institution.

Find out more

A person stands at a computer monitor in a dark room, with large projected visuals behind them.

200 years of storytelling

Explore this digital interactive experience at the Library as part of the 200th Anniversary Exhibitions, or online.

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Drawing of interior of an exhibition space.

200th Anniversary Exhibitions

Immerse yourself in a powerful series of exhibitions, installations and digital experiences.

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Collection buzz

Read stories about featured collections in our 200th Anniversary Exhibitions.

An unfinished oil painting showing three pygmy geese floating on water amongst flowering lily pads. Two of the geese have black and white patterns in the white feathers. All the ducks have deep green feathers on their back, back feathers on the top of their head with white cheeks.

William T Cooper — drawn to life

One of the great natural history artists, most famous for his detailed paintings of birds.

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Photograph of two leaves on paper that has been folded into a packet. 'Leaves from Botany Bay used as tea' is inscribed on the packet in black ink.

Mary Bryant’s tea leaves

Two dry leaves, centuries old, may seem like an odd thing to be in the Library’s collection.

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page in book open on image of internal anatomy of the human body

Vesalius on the human body

A rare first edition showcases a landmark work in the early history of modern medicine.

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Black and white photograph taken from the back of a camel which is fuzzy in the foreground. Line of camels, riders and luggage ahead with Uluru in the background. Desert sand and grasses on the ground. One rider prominent on the mid-left, wearing a hat, tail of camel and back two legs visible. Other camels fade into distance.

Lasseter's lost reef

Nothing captures the Australian imagination quite like the thought of striking it lucky.

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Two books placed on top of each other

Catching a cab

A surprise bestseller in 1886, Fergus Hume’s The Mystery of a Hansom Cab continues to intrigue.

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