Barr Smith Library

The Barr Smith Library is home to the Reading Room, one of the most beautiful scholarly spaces in Australia. Generations of students have spent many hours studying in the Library, poring over its extensive collections.

The library is also home to Special Collections and Archives and Records Services.

Highlights include:

24/7 access to the High Use Collection and study spaces on Level 3.
Large curated collections across many subject areas, including Australian history, politics and literature, English literature, world wars, socialism and fascism, women and gender studies, utopian literature, and food studies.
Specialist collections, including the Music Collection, East Asian Collection, Yaitya Ngutupira, and Recreational Reading.
Over 500 individual study spaces.
Over 130 computers.
Bookable meeting rooms, study spaces, and computers.
Printing, scanning, and photocopying on each level.

Take a self-guided tour

Go on a self-guided tour of the Barr Smith Library using the GooseChase app! Download the free app and follow the instructions to learn about the library at your own pace, while completing fun missions.

Opening hours

View opening hours for the Barr Smith Library.

Contact & location

Come and speak to us in person: Ask Library is located on Level 3 of Hub Central.

The Barr Smith Library is located in the centre of the North Terrace Campus, adjacent Hub Central. View campus map.

Facilities

Over 500 study spaces (combination of desk, group, carrel and computer) with some being bookable.
- Group discussion area located on levels 1 and 3 of the library.
- Quiet study areas located on level 2 of the library.
- Listening booths with specialist audio equipment.
24/7 hour access to level 3 of the library, including the High Use Collection (University ID card required for out-of-hours access).
Over 130 computers.
Seminar / workshop room for groups up to 100 people (standing).
Group study zone.
Small group discussion room.
Individual study rooms.
Writing Studio (BSS 200)
- This space is a result of close collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, and is home to creative writing classes and workshops.
- Outside of classes and other bookings, it is available to students as a quiet study space.

Spaces you can book

Ira Raymond Exhibition room (up to 80 people seated or 100 standing)
Meeting Rooms
Listening booths
Study booths
Computers

Returning books & other items

The returns chute is located outside of the library, near the bridge entrance to the library/Hub Central (if you are coming to the library from within the Hub, you need to go through the glass doors to the outside foyer area near the bridge entrance). Look for the bright red wall. Items can be returned to any of the University of Adelaide libraries.

Printing, scanning and copying

Printing is available on each level and uses your student quota. All of the printers in the library can also be used for photocopying and scanning (to USB). Learn more about printing, photocopying and scanning in the library.

Fast and easy-to-use face-up and flat-bed scanners are located on level 3 of the Library.

Recharging your devices

BYO charging cord and use one of the many power (and USB power) points throughout the Library.

Borrow some tech

The following items are available for loan from Ask Library:

Accessibility

The library can be accessed directly from the bridge entrance (on the western side of the building) or from within Hub Central on level 3. A lift on the southern side of the building provides access between levels 3 and 4 of Hub Central and all levels of the library. Within the library, a lift in the northern end of the building provides access to all levels of the library.

Specially adapted study carrels, identified by wheelchair signs, are located on the Northern Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the Barr Smith Library - just opposite the lift.
Accessible toilets are located on level 3 of the Barr Smith Library (near the main entrance) and level 1 (northern end of the building).