Using our Special Collections
The National Library of Australia s special collections include rare books and journals, pictures, photographs, maps, sheet music, oral history recordings, manuscript papers, ephemera and Asian collections. There is important information you need to know when accessing our special collections.
Requesting
When submitting a request for material, please provide as much information as possible for example, box, series, folder number, issue / sheet number or date range. This information can be found in the item s catalogue record or use a guide or index that is available in the Special Collections Reading Room.
In some cases, special collection material may require advance notice of use due to special storage or it may need to be treated or processed before use. Special permissions are often required for rare or unique material in the Library s collections. See the
Tip: Narrow your search to only manuscripts by selecting the Manuscripts format filter.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
Using the collection
Access conditions apply to all collections but the majority are available for research. Please be aware that some collections require access permission, and others may include material that is not available for research at this time. Check the catalogue or contact us before visiting to avoid disappointment.
Request material to view by logging into the catalogue with your Library card and submitting an online request. See our collection delivery service and online video for more information.
Korean acquisitions
The Korean Acquisitions List contains, in romanised and Korean scripts, details of the latest books, journals and electronic resources acquired by the National Library. The list is updated every month.
All materials listed have been fully catalogued onto the Australian National Bibliographic Database searchable through Trove, and are available for use, and can be searched on the Library s own online catalogue.
Use of the Library s Korean Collection
Materials in the Korean Collection may be consulted in the Main Reading Room or the Special Collections Reading Room. Remote users may request material on interlibrary loan, or request photocopies of the materials through the Copies Direct service. Requests to borrow material from the collection should be made through the interlibrary loan service in your library. Interlibrary loan requests should include full bibliographic details of the items plus the National Library call number.
PDF Transcript or Summary on CD.
Special Collections Reading Room staff will allocate you to one of the desks in the reading room, depending on your requirements and material you have requested. Staff can also provide you with a pair of headphones if you have requested any audio items.
Oral History and Folklore staff will let you know if you are unable to access an interview due to restrictions on access or if it requires digitisation.
Interlibrary loans
All items in the Oral History and Folklore Collection can be requested through your local library s interlibrary loans service, subject to the interview s access conditions.