State Library of South Australia

The State Library of South Australia amazes first-time guests with its emotional juxtaposition of old and new.

The contemporary Spence Wing with its sharp lines and glass-fronted entrance offers current offices and free Wi-Fi. From here, guests ought to request bearings to the first library, housed in the adjoining 1884 French renaissance building known as the Mortlock Wing.

Entering this great old space resembles venturing back in time.

Multi-layered displays entice high above, edged by expounding created press balustrades, and stepping stools reach up to cowhide bound books flawlessly propped in the wooden racks.

Featuring this flashback to libraries of old is a surge of regular light flooding through the glass arch in the rooftop.

The Mortlock Wing is additionally justified regardless of a visit for its extraordinary gathering of chips away at the historical backdrop of South Australia.