The Public Library of New South Wales, originally known as the Free Public Library, came into existence in 1869, after the government purchased the collections of the Australian Subscription Library. In 1898, David Scott Mitchell offered to donate his collection of Australian works to the library, on the condition that it be maintained as a separate collection within the library, and that the government erect a suitable building. This led to the construction of the Mitchell library. In 1969, the Public Library became the Library of New South Wales, and in 1975, the State Library of New South Wales.