[9] In 2003, the State Library began a new mission of establishing Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs) in the Cape York and Torres Strait areas.

In 2010, the neighbouring riverside building housing the Fountain Room restaurant and an auditorium became part of the library and following some modifications was redesignated as "The Edge" and used to hold workshops, creative activities, events and exhibitions.

[11] The State Library holds general collections, including books, journals and magazines, newspapers, audio-visual items, family history, maps, music, ephemera, Internet and electronic resources.

In the late 1950s, an extension, with a distinctive tiled mural by Lindsay Edward on the exterior, was built onto the building to provide more space.

[58] After three years of extensive redevelopment, the South Bank building officially re-opened on 25 November 2006 as "a new cultural and knowledge destination" and a fitting showcase for the collections.

[63][64][65] Although the elements of the original Gibson scheme were preserved in the renovation, the building was deemed too altered to be included in the 2015 State Heritage Listing of the Cultural Centre.

[63][66] The State Library building has since been described as an “open, generous knowledge place,”[55] and one of Australia's "most cherished public living rooms".

[74] The QBLHOF recognises outstanding contributions made by organisations, companies and individuals to develop the Queensland economy and society, both contemporary and historical.

Since 2014 the QBLHOF has also awarded an annual Fellowship, to recipients working on a research project that utilises the resources of the John Oxley Library to produce new interpretations of Queensland's business history.

[77] The John Oxley Library Awards recognise outstanding contributions of individuals[78] and organisations[79] in the advancement of our understanding of Queensland’s cultural heritage.

Some notable past recipients include: Dr Robert (Uncle Bob) Anderson OAM, Jackie Huggins, Richard Stringer, Matthew Condon, Professor Raymond Evans.