National Library of Australia

The National Library of Australia is a library in Canberra Central, Australia, serving as a government body, history museum, art museum, and national library. The building rises with white marble columns and a copper dome near the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, surrounded by lawns and pathways.

The institution grew out of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library, which began its work with the founding of the federation in 1901. The National Library Act of 1960 granted it the current status, and it later moved into the present building.

The name reflects the role of holding the country's documentary memory and making it available to everyone. Visitors often enter the reading rooms with high ceilings and long tables, where researchers and students work among shelves and catalogs.

Reading rooms and collections are open on weekdays from 8:30 to 17:00 and on weekends from 9:00 to 17:00. Some areas require registration, so it helps to check access conditions beforehand.

The institution operates Trove, a digital platform linking millions of records and documents from numerous institutions across the country. Users can browse historical newspapers, photographs, and archives from home.

Location: Canberra Central

Inception: 1960

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Address: Parkes Pl W, Canberra ACT 2600

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 08:30-17:00; Saturday,Sunday 09:00-17:00

Website: https://nla.gov.au

GPS coordinates: -35.29639,149.12944

Latest update: December 12, 2025 22:34