Designing for discovery: Shaping libraries through architecture

A library’s architecture is more than a container for books; it is an invitation to explore. This lecture traces how library design has evolved, from quiet reading rooms to flexible learning spaces and digital labs. Alongside the story of the State Library’s own architectural history, it also examines notable developments in libraries around NSW, showing how different communities have responded to changing ideas about knowledge, accessibility and creativity.
This lecture is part of a series curated by Mitchell Librarian Richard Neville, reflecting on the history of the State Library of NSW. From the founding stories of this iconic institution to its evolution across 200 years, the series examines how libraries collect, preserve and share knowledge, imagination and creativity across generations.