State Library of South Australia

16/06/2026

We can’t wait for City Library - North Terrace to join us! 📚 ✨🤩

16/06/2026

Missed today's Stories from the Stacks talk with author Walter Marsh? Don't worry, you can watch it on demand.🖥️

In January 1947, a shocking discovery sent ripples through Australia's scientific community: more than 3,000 butterfly specimens had vanished from the country's leading museums in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. 🦋

Drawing on unpublished case files, dossiers and private archives, Walter Marsh's latest book, The Butterfly Thief, unravels this remarkable true-crime mystery while exploring bigger questions about museums, collecting, science and colonisation.

Watch now and discover the fascinating story behind one of Australia's most unusual museum heists 👉 slsa.sa.gov.au/butterflies-and-archives

12/06/2026

12/06/2026

🚗 Who loves a road trip? 🚗

After a hugely successful season at the State Library of South Australia, has hit the highway and arrived in Canberra.

Opening today at the National Archives of Australia, this free exhibition explores Holden’s remarkable journey from a 19th-century saddlery to becoming AUSTRALIA’S OWN CAR and the lasting impact it had on our economy, industry and national identity.

Developed by State Library of South Australia in partnership with Adelaide University the exhibition has been expanded with fascinating records from the National Archives collection.

📍 National Archives of Australia, Canberra
📅 12 June – 11 October 2026
🎟 Free entry
🔗bit.ly/slsa-naa-rear-vision

If you're heading to Canberra, be sure to take a look in the rear-view mirror and revisit one of Australia's most iconic stories.

12/06/2026

Can you assist State Records of South Australia to identify the event in these photographs? Watch their clip for more details 🧐🕵️

09/06/2026

📣 Applications are now open for the The Friends of the State Library of South Australia Deane Miller Fellowship, supported by the State Library of South Australia.
Successful applicants will receive:
💰 $15,000 funding
🔎 Research support
📣 Promotional opportunities
Explore extraordinary collections, uncover new stories, and create something new from the past.
Apply now 👉 slsa.sa.gov.au/deane-miller-fellowship-0
Applications close Thursday 31 July at 5pm.

08/06/2026

The Friends of the State Library of South Australia book sale is back this weekend, with shelves packed full of bargains, unexpected finds and future favourites.

Thousands of beautiful books on sale soon! Starts Friday 12 June. Institute Building, State Library of SA

08/06/2026

🍺South Australia’s brewing history is now more accessible than ever 🍺

More than 2,000 photographs from the South Australian Brewing Company and West End Brewery archives have been processed and made available for research, capturing over a century of brewing history from the 1880s to the 1990s.

From Hindley Street and Southwark Brewery to historic hotels, events, advertising and behind-the-scenes moments, this remarkable collection offers a fascinating glimpse into an iconic part of South Australian history.

Read the story and explore the collections online 👉 slsa.sa.gov.au/south-australian-brewing-company-archival-records-now-available-for-research

05/06/2026

Don't get into a flap! There are lots of activities for everyone as part of our 'Pull Pop Push: revealing the magic' exhibition.
Keep up to date here: https://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/series/pull-pop-push-exhibition-programs

Image from 'Puss in boots' flap-book, 1897