Visiting the Library this festive season? Check our summer opening hours to make the most of your trip. 

Due to major building activity, some collections are unavailable. Please check your requests before visiting. Learn more.

Reading rooms, exhibition galleries, Bookshop and Friends Lounge

Opening Hours Main Reading Room Special Collections Reading Room Exhibition galleries, National Library Bookshop and Friends Lounge
Sunday 25 December 2022 Closed Closed Closed
Monday 26 December – Monday 2 January 2023 Closed Closed 9am-5pm
Tuesday 3 January 2023 10am-8pm 10am-8pm 9am-5pm

Bookplate

Opening Hours
Sunday 25 December 2022 Closed
Monday 26 – Tuesday 27 December 2022 9am-3pm
Wednesday 28 – Friday 30 December 2022 8:30am-4pm
Saturday 31 December 2022 9am-4pm
Sunday 1 – Monday 2 January 2023 9am-3pm
Tuesday 3 January 2023 8:30am-4pm

Reading rooms 

Our reading rooms will close at 5pm on Saturday 24 December 2022 and reopen at 10am on Tuesday 3 January 2023.  

Collection deliveries will cease at 3:45pm on Friday 23 December 2022. Requests made on or after Friday 16 December 2022 will be kept on the reading room reserve shelves until close of business on Sunday 8 January 2023. Collection deliveries, not impacted by building works, will resume on Tuesday 3 January 2023.  

Bookshop 

The Bookshop will be open daily from 9am-5pm, excluding Christmas Day, Sunday 25 December 2022. Pick up some amazing Australian literature and unique gifts.  

Bookplate 

Bookplate Cafe will be open daily excluding Christmas Day, Sunday 25 December 2022. Come for a summer lunch, cake or cup of coffee.  

Opening hours vary, so please refer to the Bookplate opening hours listed in the table above before you visit.  

Exhibition galleries 

Our exhibition galleries will be open daily from 9am-5pm, excluding Christmas Day, Sunday 25 December 2022.  

Visit our current major exhibition, Viewfinder: Photography from the 1970s to Now. Showcasing 125 images from the National Library’s collection, this exhibition takes a unique look at the journey of Australian documentary photography over the last 5 decades.  

Our current Treasures Gallery exhibition, Mabo v Queensland (No. 2): 30th Anniversary, commemorates the decision handed down in the High Court of Australia on 3 June 1992. The Library invited Gail Mabo, daughter of Edward Koiki Mabo who was the lead applicant, to select material for display out of our extensive collection material relating to Eddie Mabo and the Mabo decision. 

Our Treasures Gallery also highlights many other unique items from the National Library collections. From maps and rare books to manuscripts, photographs, oil paintings and watercolours, be intrigued, surprised, challenged and amazed by the stories our treasures tell.  

Daily Tours

Our Discover your National Library tour will run every day at 11am except Christmas Day, Sunday 25 December 2022. Learn more about our tours.

Friends Lounge

The Friends Lounge will be open daily from 9am-5pm, excluding Christmas Day, Sunday 25 December 2022. Are you interested in joining the Friends? Learn more


Image at top: Rennie Ellis, Surfer Boys and Girls on Beach, Lorne, 1975, nla.obj-145150096, courtesy of the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive