2026 Sydney Rare Book Week

By a Lady exhibition

Started in 2019, Sydney Rare Book Week, is an annual program of free talks, workshops and tours focused on celebrating book history, production and collecting.

Hosted by organisations across Sydney, it encourages bibliophiles to explore, learn and be inspired by a wide range of collections. It also offers opportunities to go behind-the-scenes or access collections not always open to the public.

The week culminates with the Sydney Rare Book Fair (22-24 October 2026), held at the State Library of NSW. The annual 3-day event brings together antiquarian dealers, showcasing rare books, prints, maps, ephemera and more.

Join us at Fisher Library for an introduction to letterpress printing workshop and a tour of our By a Lady: Revealing Women's Stories Through Rare Books & Special Collections exhibition.

Monica Oppen and Brigitta Summers in the Print Studio
By a Lady exhibition

Introduction to Letterpress Printing Workshop

Learn about the history of letterpress printing and print your very own memento. Led by one of the Library’s 2026 Printers in Residence, Brigitta Summers, this workshop will give you an opportunity to get hands on with our 19th century Albion printing press (known fondly as the Piscator Press).

Curators’ tour: ‘By a Lady’ exhibition

Women have always been at the forefront of storytelling, creation, invention and knowledge-sharing across cultures and eras. This exhibition features over 150 works – including posters, novels, tarot cards, manuscripts and photographs – which reveal the complex breadth and strength of female-created works. Join our curators for a tour through the exhibition’s highlights, exploring both historic moments and local tales. 

Sydney Rare Book Week

Explore the full program and make sure to register, as spaces are limited and often book out! 

Program participants: 

  • Antique Print & Map Room 

  • Art Gallery of New South Wales 

  • Australian Museum

  • Caroline Simpson Library

  • City of Sydney Archives

  • Owl and Lion Bindery 

  • Moore Theological College Library 

  • NSW Parliamentary Library 

  • Penrith Museum of Printing 

  • Powerhouse Museum

  • State Archives 

  • State Library of NSW

  • University of Sydney Library 

  • UNSW Library 

  • Related information

    Rare Books and Special Collections Browse Special Collections Digital Collections Google Arts & Culture

  • Contact

    For enquiries about Rare Books and Special Collections, please get in touch with the Cultural Collections team via email 
    cultural.collections@usyd.libanswers.com.