Discover Rare Books and Special Collections: Science vs Fiction

The University of Sydney Library holds one of Australia’s largest collections of rare and special books, with over 300,000 items. Join us at Fisher Library for a bespoke and intimate encounter with highlights from the collection.

Each session will run for 90 minutes; guests can drop-in during this time to view items and chat with staff, and enjoy light refreshments and mingling.

Please note that there are 2 bookable sessions:

Afternoon: 3-4.30pm
Evening: 6-7.30pm

We hope you can join us!

Science vs Fiction

From factual to fabulously fictitious, there are many ways of viewing and interpreting the world. Showcasing a selection of unique collection items, this event will explore a diversity of perspectives from different cultures, religions and imaginations over time.

Highlights will include comics from our vast sci-fi collection; the first illustrated edition of HG Wells’ War of the Worlds; one of the earliest Chinese astronomy textbooks; a first edition of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; and works by 13th century cosmographer Zakariya al-Qazwini.

These events are a special opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the most fascinating items in our collections and hear about their stories.

Throughout 2025, we will be hosting 4 themed events (other themes include Illustrating the Natural World, Around the World in Rare Books, and Extraordinary women).

Celebrating 175 Years

These events are held in celebration of the University’s 175th anniversary. The Library has been an intrinsic part of the University’s identity from the very beginning; the purchase of Library books was one of the earliest decisions made by the Senate in the establishment of the University.

Since then, our Library collection has continued to expand alongside the University. Our Library now has 14 locations across campuses and 4.6 million books.

As we reflect on this rich history, we invite you to immerse yourself in our collections, which have sparked scholarly curiosity over the past 175 years.

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Images

La guerre des mondes (War of the Worlds) by H. G. Wells, SF W454 J14 TF 2
天經或問 Tian jing huo wen (Some questions about astronomy), EA 7108 7
The amazing Spider-Man, vol. 1, no. 1, March 1963 by Stan Lee, RB 9863.3