South Australia’s youngest book lovers have a brand new place to explore, play and discover stories, with the State Library’s colourful new Little Library officially opening today.
The completely free children’s library has been designed from the ground up with young visitors in mind, creating an interactive world where books sit alongside imaginative play, hands-on activities and story-led experiences.
Located on the ground floor of the State Library of South Australia’s Spence Wing on North Terrace, Little Library has been created especially for children and families, with everything from its scale and colours to its activities considered through a child’s eyes.
And families can get their first look this weekend, with free activities happening throughout the State Library from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, August 22 and 12pm to 5pm on Sunday, August 23 to celebrate the opening.
The $2 million project was funded through the South Australian government’s Arts Investment Fund and combines the research behind Raising Literacy Australia’s Words Grow Minds campaign with a design centred around play, curiosity and early literacy.
State Library of South Australia Director Megan Berghuis said the new space was designed as somewhere children could develop a relationship with books from their earliest years.
“We’re thrilled to open Little Library and invite children, families and carers to explore the space and connect through stories, share a love of reading or discover the joy of books for the first time,” Megan said.
“With books and storytelling at the heart of the experience, Little Library has been thoughtfully designed to support the diverse literacy levels of South Australian children and share the local stories that celebrate the places, people and perspectives of South Australia.”
The space itself has been designed by global experience design agency Art Processors and constructed by South Australian company Chappell Builders, with bold colours and bespoke works by Adelaide creatives Carlo Jensen, Andrew Joyner and Lawson Dodd giving Little Library its playful identity.
There is also a strong South Australian story running throughout the new library.
The State Library worked with Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi and the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music at Adelaide University to incorporate elements of the Kaurna Songbook, giving families opportunities to experience Kaurna language, culture and storytelling.
“We’ve worked closely with the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music and Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi at Adelaide University to incorporate elements of the Kaurna Songbook into Little Library, connecting generations and fostering a sense of belonging through the stories that make us,” Megan said.
The project also continues a surprisingly long history of children’s libraries at the institution.
The State Library was home to Australia’s first public children’s library, which opened in 1915.
From 1927 until 1967, the Children’s Library operated from the former Police Barracks behind the State Library. During the 1949 polio epidemic, Red Cross volunteers and library staff even operated a home-delivery lending service for around 200 bedridden children across Adelaide.
More than a century after that first children’s library opened, Little Library brings the idea firmly into 2026.
Created in partnership with the City of Adelaide Library, the new space includes a curated collection of books for young readers, borrowing services and hands-on activities, along with an evolving calendar of programs and events.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the aim was not only to help children learn to read, but to help them enjoy doing it.
“Learning to read is one of life’s most important skills but it’s also important to experience joy in reading and books,” he said.
“We are proudly supporting the Little Library which will help do just that – creating an environment to spark and foster a lifelong love of reading and books for South Australian children.”
For Adelaide families looking for something new, and free, to do in the city, the doors officially open this weekend.
Little Library
When: Opens August 22
Where: Corner of North Terrace & Kintore Avenue, Adelaide
For more info, click here.
