Sydneysider Sheila Ngoc Pham notices something new every time she visits the State Library of NSW, despite being there once or twice a week. “I walk past quite interesting objects every time I come here. There are heaps of really beautiful objects,” she tells Broadsheet. Pham is the library’s inaugural recipient of the Imago Fellowship, which is given to a creative writer working in fiction or non-fiction who uses the State Library collections in their work.

The Objects Gallery has almost 1000 eclectic items on display, each worthy of its own story. There’s everything from precious objects that once belonged to influential people (such as a Cartier hairpin box owned by Dame Nellie Melba) to macabre historical artefacts, like poet Henry Lawson’s death mask.

Among them are thousands of rare books, pictures, manuscripts, maps and more at any one time on display in the galleries. “There are books that are, like, more than 500 years old. There’s insane stuff in the collection,” Pham says. And it doesn’t cost a thing to visit.

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The library’s exhibitions don’t just depict history; the galleries frequently host contemporary art and photography, like The Country Cries for Truth, a powerful and personal exhibition by distinguished Bundjalung artist Dr Bronwyn Bancroft AM, and the forthcoming World Press Photo Exhibition.

Some of these exhibitions are accompanied by panel discussions or curator-led tours, and sometimes talks emerge from other hot topics. On June 12, for example, The Australian Dream? with Tim Ross, presented in partnership with Vivid, will offer insights into the culture of home ownership as part of the library’s Year of Architecture theme.

Like Ross, whose talk follows his deep dive into the library’s architecture archives, Pham mainly uses the library for research, calling up items to the Special Collections area on her chosen subject: the pioneering Australian fantasy writer Anne Spencer Parry. But, she says, anyone can go there to look at what’s in the library’s collection.

Beyond a repository for books, the library is also a place of interest in its own right, she adds. “It’s very different to how I think of my local library. Bankstown Library I consider my second home – I go there to borrow books – but the State Library is a restful space and it’s just a more elevated experience. The Mitchell Library building is where I’m usually hanging out, and it’s the most beautiful part of the library. Honestly, every time I’m there, there’s always people taking photos, even if they’ve come to study.” Australia’s oldest public library, the Mitchell building is like something out of fantasy fiction with its spectacular coffered cove ceiling, classical elements, 1930s art deco accents and towering bookshelves.

Libraries have long been places of reflection, where people can find themselves in quiet company as time slows and the hum fades. During Vivid Sydney, people are invited to log off and experience the historic Mitchell building without any digital distractions across three Friday nights for Unplugged.

Another favourite of Pham’s is the Shakespeare Room, the unofficial home of Shakespeare in Australia. The hidden-library-within-a-library is romantic – as expected, considering its connection to the Bard – and even allows weddings. The real showstopper? The stained glass windows depicting the Seven Ages of Man from As You Like It.

It’s also a highlight of the Library’s new self-guided Selfie Tour, which takes you to some of its most picturesque spots for photos worth looking back on. All you have to do is download the free Bloomberg Connects app and head to the Tours section on the State Library’s page, then pick a tour to start exploring.

The cherry on top is the Library Bar on the rooftop. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 4pm till late, it hosts regular trivia nights, literary events and performances.

“It’s kind of hidden but I’ve been there a few times,” Pham says. “It has really nice cocktails and a great view.”

www.sl.nsw.gov.au

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with the State Library of NSW.