State Library of Queensland

State Library of Queensland is a substantial cultural and research venue in South Brisbane, with plenty to explore beyond browsing books. Visitors can search the catalogue through One Search, access collections spanning First Nations information, art and design, Queensland history and family history, and use the library’s digital resources. Its ebook collection contains more than 200,000 titles, covering subjects from health and science to literature and law, while digitised books make parts of Queensland’s memory available online.

The library is also a place to spend time. Audio tours share stories about its architecture, artworks and history, and there are spaces for reading, study, meetings and creative work. The Edge provides digital media and production computers, professional software, a recording studio and maker facilities for people with a State Library account. Window bays overlooking the river offer work and study space for up to four people, while members can book meeting rooms, an audio-visual viewing room or the piano room. A café on site serves sandwiches, hot food, snacks, coffee, tea, beer and wine, with additional coffee available from The Brink on level 1.

For visitors interested in Queensland stories, the family history resources are a strong draw. Research guides, indexes, databases, webcasts and useful websites help both beginners and experienced researchers investigate family connections, house histories, First Nations family history and the stories of convict Queenslanders. Free membership provides immediate access to additional benefits online and onsite, making the library particularly useful for regular researchers, students and locals.

The program of talks and exhibitions adds a changing public dimension, with events drawing on the library’s collections and invited speakers’ expertise. Recent examples include a talk on First World War trench warfare, a panel examining the history of the Ekka, and an artist conversation connected to the James C Sourris AM collection of interviews. Families are supported by a parents’ room with baby-change facilities, seating, a microwave and an accessible toilet. With designated areas for food and drink, a cloakroom and water fountains across levels 1 to 4, the venue suits solo visits, study sessions, research appointments and small group outings.