National Library of Australia

Fast Facts

Name: National Library of Australia

Location: Parkes Place, Parkes ACT 2600

Opening hours: Open Monday to Friday 9.45am to 4.30pm, except public holidays

Description: The National Library of Australia is the largest reference library in the nation housing some of the country's most important historical documents. Indoor activity.

Price Guide: Free entry

Phone: 02 6262 1111

The National Library of Australia focuses on protecting and preserving Australia's culture and heritage.

It is the largest reference library in the country and preserves some of the most comprehensive resources of national significance that are accessible to the public whether it be through the library or with other information providers.

The library's beginnings go back to when Australia was federated into the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Library, located in Melbourne, served the Federal Parliament as well as the nation. But when Parliament relocated to Canberra, the library was built in Parkes and became known as the National Library of Australia.

In recent times, the library undertakes activities such as digital archiving, digital preservation and preservation as well as resource sharing, to keep Australia's documents in good shape and ensure they are available to read.