The State Library of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional owners of Country throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to land and culture.

We pay our respects to Elders past and present. The Library is honoured to be located on Whadjuk Country, the ancestral lands of the Noongar people.

The 2026 Library Board Award for Innovation and Collaboration for Metropolitan and Large Regional Libraries was awarded to the City of Kwinana for Kwinana Public Librarys Kids Clothes Swap

What's new

New stories, collections, updates and more.

 

Looking at a book in the Leah Jane Cohen Reading Room

How to search the catalogue

A goldmine of books, maps, films, photos, posters, archives and ephemera. 

Get Connected

Exterior of State library at dusk

Join the Library

Sign up online. Membership gives you free access to apps, eBooks, audiobooks, collections items and electronic resources.

Using a smart phone

Online eResources

Access free apps, books, audiobooks, magazines, music and newspapers online.

Group camping near the Warburton ranges in 1980

Storylines

Reconnecting Indigenous culture and heritage collections to communities, families and individuals.

JS Battye Library Reference Desk on Level 3

Plan Your Visit

Make the most of your visit. See hours, access, transport, venues, spaces, computers, printing and services.

2024 Library Board Awards crowd

Venue hire

Looking for a seminar or meeting room in the CBD at a reasonable price?

What's On

English Conversation session at the State Library
Practise English at the State Library
Weekly on Tuesday and Wednesday, 1:30 - 2:30pm until Thu 31 Dec 2026
Join our English conversation groups, a friendly place to practise your language skills and make new friends.
Stanley Minning preaching at a camp meeting at Cundeelee October 1955
Monthly on the last Wednesday, 2 - 4pm until Wed 25 Nov 2026
Discover how to find out more about your kinship in a joint presentation from the Storylines team and the Aboriginal History WA team.
Thrombolites at Lake Clifton WA
This in-depth session will take through everything you need to know about entering the 2026 Ilford Orloff Awards. The presenters will walk you through the sections, rules, categories, entry process, key dates, the live judging process

Collections

Collecting and preserving Western Australian history through photos, maps, newspapers, posters, films, music and so much more. View highlights, discover more and learn how to search the enormous heritage collection.

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