Ten things I love about State Library

There’s something magical about libraries.

Some are housed in centuries’ old buildings, others in striking modern architecture, and many, most of them probably, in humble, unassuming spaces. Yet, stepping inside any of them stirs a little emotion. A sense that something special awaits. The sight of hundreds, maybe thousands, of books instantly opens a world of possibilities: discoveries, adventures, mysteries, connections, belonging, learning and growth.

State Library of Queensland, with its modern architecture and incredible resources, captures all of this beautifully. Still, I know that it can feel a bit overwhelming - big, bold, and full of options. Where do you even begin?

So, I’ve put together my personal top 10 favourite things to enjoy at State Library.

Take a look around, explore them for yourself, and let me know if you enjoy them as much as I do.

Here we go, in no particular order, except the last one.

• The sunlight filtering through the Poinciana Lounge at opening time. Winter is the best time of the year to enjoy the morning light in our prime study location, with the sun just at the right height to greet you near your favourite table. Yes, I know, we are lucky to enjoy the almost Zen atmosphere of the Poinciana Lounge before the crowd comes in. However, I promise you that if you come in just as we open at 10am, possibly on a Monday, well, you are going to reconnect with your inner-self like a monk on Everest!
  State Reference Library | State Library of Queensland

• Talking about peace and quiet, my other favorite thing is having my lunch break on the River Decks. Most visitors miss this little pearl of a prime location on the edge of the Brisbane River. Walk through the Infozone on Level 1 and take your pick between the main deck or the second little deck, hidden below the gigantic canopy of our century old poinciana tree. How’s the serenity!
  State Library of Queensland, 1st Floor, South Brisbane, Australia — Google Arts & Culture
• The Library Shop. Like a little cabin of curiosity, the library shop showcases a selection of books on Queensland history, Brisbane’s suburbs, kids’ books, bestsellers, greeting cards, gadgets and much more. How long can you spend browsing those little gems? Too long if you ask me. Not to mention the alure of fresh coffee aroma travelling from the café on the other side of the shelves.
  Library Shop
• Say you have this idea that spins in your head, something you want to make that does not leave you alone, but you need some expensive software or piece of equipment that you cannot afford. Well, there’s a good chance that The Edge has it for you, and you can use it for free! How good is that?
  The Edge is a world of possibilities unassumingly located just above one of the best parts of the river boardwalk. There you can create music, photos, videos, 3D printed objects, electronic toys, or your next fashion collection. Create, meet like-minded people, get excited about your latest creation, have a sandwich, or just stare out the window while the city gets lit up.
  The Edge | State Library of Queensland
• And while we talk about doing things, have you ever seen the restoration lab on level 5? Take the lift and peek through the window to see our technicians taking care of old manuscripts, precious books, old pictures and films. It’s slow work that combines passion, patience, skills and dedication, and it’s a gift to the future generations of Queenslanders to enjoy. This is a lab where chemistry, craftmanship, physics, history and storytelling come together!
  Caring for our collections | State Library of Queensland
• State Library is also a portal to unlimited knowledge. The library subscribes to the most relevant and amazing databases from around the world for you, so you don’t have to pay. Do you want to find the birth records of your ancestors? Check. See the latest academic papers in science? Check. Consult medical evidence on a particular disease? Check. Read your favourite magazine? With your free State Library membership, you can have it all!
  Collections | State Library of Queensland
• And here’s the thing: the State Library is also the custodian of local knowledge. Since 1934 we have collected, preserved, and shared Queensland's memories. I love looking at the John Oxley Collection on level 4. Like turning a page of a 200-year-old diary and reading historic accounts from the hands of the people in it. Or viewing original photos, looking into the eyes of those men and women, staring at the camera, unknowingly staring into the future, staring at us. I could get easily lost in that treasure!
  Queensland | State Library of Queensland
• Another thing I love about the John Oxley Collection is the historic maps. My brain loves maps as a default setting. At State Library maps come in all forms and from every period. I just can’t help checking the routes of old roads in Brisbane. See the suburbs before bridges and tunnels were built, or look at the original land subdivision of your area or the railway paths. Have you seen Noosa before it was the glamour tourist spot of today? Have you seen representations of Stradbroke Island before it was split by storms into north and south islands? You can at State Library.
  Maps | State Library of Queensland

• Now it’s time to address the elephant in the room: the books!
  Books exert such a powerful pull on my mind, it’s impossible to walk by them and not get distracted. If you are still reading this, I bet you are under the same spell.
  Working in a library is a pleasure and torture at the same time. Imagine the gravitational pull your brain must endure while surrounded by thousands of books in all directions. And State Library has millions of them! Sure, many of them are securely stored in the repositories and out of sight. But, just like gravity, you feel their presence like the ocean feels the moon and its tide.
  Wouldn’t it be awesome to have a few lives to spare just for reading books?
  Start your book hunt from our online One Search catalogue.

• And finally, we arrive at the last item of the top 10 things I love about State Library: my colleagues.  And for two good reasons. First, the library, with all its treasures, would not function or serve you well if it wasn’t for the amazing work of State Library staff. From collecting new items, to cataloguing, digitising, displaying them in our exhibition spaces, and helping you find them in the catalogue. And second, because they care. They care about the library, and they care about you. They are here to help you get the most out of your visits, whether in person or online. From a simple photocopy to finding the more obscure and evasive of your ancestors, from locating “the book with a red cover” to exploring online courses, State Library staff will always do their best to make your visit worthwhile. They are truly an amazing bunch, and I’m sure you will appreciate their friendliness and professionalism. 

Did I miss something? Tell us your favourite things about State Library in the comments!