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The Best Libraries in Sydney for Study, Reading and Relaxing
From contemporary to quaint, we’ve whittled down the best libraries in Sydney for all your bookish pursuits.
Sydney’s best libraries go well beyond borrowing books. Green Square Library hides a subterranean urban living room beneath Zetland’s streets, while the State Library of NSW offers grand sandstone study rooms on Macquarie Street. If you’re looking for something a little different, Marrickville Library reimagines a former hospital site with 27,000 upcycled bricks.
From modern architectural marvels to striking sandstone facades, these storied spaces are the cornerstone of our city, allowing us to connect, relax, learn and dream, all without paying a cent. Cramming for an exam? Hole up in your local library. Looking for the latest BookTok sensation? You’ll find it at the library. Need a change of scenery when you’re working from home? You guessed it: library.
From east to west and everywhere in between, here are Sydney’s most impressive libraries for study, reading and relaxing.
Best Library in Sydney for Futuristic Architecture: Green Square Library
At first glance, Green Square Library doesn’t look like much. Seen from the street, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s nothing but a triangular glass wedge rising from the concrete. (Hardly impressive when compared with Sydney’s other architectural achievements.) But, much like an iceberg, most of the magic at this award-winning site happens under the surface. An innovative urban living room, Zetland’s underground library spans over 3,000 square metres, featuring its own subterranean garden courtyard and outdoor amphitheatre. Keep your eyes peeled for the rainbow book wall in the reading room. (It’s hard to miss.) For more ultra-modern architecture, add Liverpool’s Yellamundie Library to the top of your list.
Suburb: Green Square
Cost: Free
Best For: Families, Kids, Free, Unique experiences
Best Library in Sydney for a Grand Study Space: State Library of NSW
It’s hard to believe a building this grand is open to the public — but that’s the beauty of libraries. Dating back to 1826, the State Library of NSW is the oldest continuously operating library in Australia. Located on aptly named Shakespeare Lane — and surrounded by sprawling green spaces — this sandstone sanctuary is a must-visit for Sydneysiders and visitors alike. Looking for a spot to study or read? Travel back in time in the iconic Mitchell Reading Room, where a sweeping glass ceiling, stained glass windows and book-lined walls promote maximum productivity. For a more modern and informal experience, find a spot on The Verandah, where lofty ceilings and natural light keep you in the zone.
Suburb: Sydney CBD
Cost: Free
Best For: Locals, Visitors, Cultural, Free
Most Sustainable Library in Sydney: Marrickville Library
Sitting on the former Marrickville Hospital site, this award-winning library is proof that old and new architecture can co-exist. (And look darn good while doing it.) In classic Inner West style, the building boasts some serious eco-friendly features, including solar panels, rainwater harvesting and no less than 27,000 upcycled bricks. But it’s so much more than a sustainability star. High ceilings, oversized windows and recycled timber create a warm and inviting environment – ideal for reading, daydreaming or hitting the books. After borrowing the latest romantic read, sip on a coffee at Side Story Cafe, sprawl out on the lawn or take a moment to admire the striking zigzag roof.
Suburb: Marrickville
Cost: Free
Best For: Locals, Free, Rainy day, Weekend plans
Best Library in Sydney for a Chic Reading Nook: Double Bay Library
Greenery is the first thing you notice when walking into Double Bay Library. A lush vertical garden greets you at the entrance, while Devil’s Icy cascades from cut-outs in the upper levels. Topped with cushions, the library’s central staircase doubles as casual seating for reading, chilling and events. There’s even a hidden slippery side built in for the kids. (Sorry, adults.) While it’s by no means the biggest of its kind, this modern book nook feels airy and spacious thanks to a clever combo of curved lines, filtered light and natural materials — perfect for whiling away the hours with a good book.
Suburb: Double Bay
Cost: Free
Best For: Families, Kids, Free, Unique experiences
Best Library in Sydney for Kids: Rockdale Library
Next to the historic 1940s Rockdale Town Hall sits a library that knows exactly how to win over its youngest visitors. The children’s area in Rockdale Library is an immersive reading forest where book alcoves come alive with forest-themed wallpaper, complete with monkeys and other animals peeking out from the greenery. Add in self-serve kiosks, light-filled interiors and a three-level internal street connecting the Princes Highway to the rear laneway, and it’s easy to see why families keep coming back. There’s also rhyme time sessions for babies and toddlers which round out the drawcard for the under-five set. It’s a winner for kids of all ages!
Suburb: Rockdale
Cost: Free
Best For: Families, Kids, Free, Unique experiences
Best Library in Sydney for History and Culture: Customs House Library
Old building. Modern library. Built in 1845, Customs House acted as the main gateway for goods and people entering Australia for over 150 years. Then, in 2005, it took on a new identity, joining Sydney’s growing list of public libraries. Located in the heart of the city, this heritage-listed haven sprawls across two levels, boasting an eye-catching curved staircase and light-filled atrium. A mecca for readers, writers and culture-lovers, it’s packed with over 50,000 books, including a dedicated collection of Koori, Korean and Japanese reads. If productivity is the purpose of your visit, make a beeline for the Grand Reading Room. Book-lined walls, spacious tables and harbour-facing windows set the tone for a rewarding study sesh. Seeking a shift in perspective? Head to the ground floor to marvel at the library’s scale model of downtown Sydney.
Suburb: Sydney CBD
Cost: Free
Best For: Visitors, Cultural, Free, Locals
Frequently Asked Questions about Sydney’s Best Libararies
The State Library of NSW is widely considered Sydney’s best library for serious study, particularly the Mitchell Reading Room, where a glass ceiling, stained glass windows and book-lined walls create a focused, old-world atmosphere. For a more casual working environment with plenty of natural light, The Verandah at the same site offers a relaxed alternative. Green Square Library is also a strong pick for its quiet underground reading rooms.
Yes, all public libraries in Sydney, including the State Library of NSW, Green Square Library, Marrickville Library, Double Bay Library and Customs House Library, are free to enter and use. Borrowing privileges typically require a library card, which is free for NSW residents to obtain. Study spaces, reading rooms and most facilities are open to the public without charge, making libraries one of the most accessible things to do in the city.
Green Square Library is one of Sydney’s most architecturally striking libraries, with an award-winning underground design spanning over 3,000 square metres, including a subterranean garden courtyard and outdoor amphitheatre. Marrickville Library is another standout, built on the former Marrickville Hospital site with sustainable features including 27,000 upcycled bricks. For heritage architecture, the sandstone State Library of NSW and the 1845 Customs House building are Sydney’s most historically significant library spaces.
Yes, Sydney’s public libraries are open to visitors as well as locals. Reading rooms, study spaces and general facilities can be used without a library card, though borrowing books typically requires registration. Customs House Library, located in the heart of the CBD, is a particularly popular stop for visitors thanks to its heritage building and harbour-facing Grand Reading Room, alongside its scale model of downtown Sydney.
The State Library of NSW is the oldest continuously operating library in Australia, with origins dating back to 1826. Located on Macquarie Street, it remains one of Sydney’s most significant cultural institutions, housing extensive collections alongside heritage spaces like the Mitchell Reading Room. Customs House Library, while housed in a building dating to 1845, only became a public library in 2005, making it historically significant as a building but not as a library.
Looking for more literary inspo? From timeless classics to authentic Aussie cookbooks, feast your eyes on our list of Sydney’s best bookstores.
