National Library of Australia

Collections and holdings

The Library holds a broad range of formats and seeks to collect comprehensively where possible for Australian-related content. Major categories include:

• Books and journals: published works about Australia and by Australian authors across many disciplines;
• Manuscripts and personal papers: correspondence, diaries, organisational records and working papers;
• Newspapers and serials: historic and contemporary press material, often held as microfilm and digital copies;
• Maps and cartographic materials: historical and contemporary maps documenting places and exploration;
• Photographs, posters and ephemera: visual records of social, cultural and political life;
• Audio and moving-image collections: oral histories, broadcast recordings and other audiovisual material;
• Digitised and born-digital material: online collections and websites preserved through digital programs.

Digitisation and online access

The Library has developed substantial digitisation programs to increase remote access to sources. A prominent online discovery service aggregates digitised newspapers, images, maps and other items, enabling full-text search and facilitating family history and historical research. Digital preservation and metadata practices help ensure long-term access to born-digital and digitised holdings.

Services, programs and partnerships

Public services include reference assistance, reading-room access to original items under protective conditions, interlibrary co-operation with state and local libraries, educational programs and research fellowships. The Library organises exhibitions, talks and outreach initiatives to promote the use of its collections and to engage diverse audiences with Australian history and culture.

History, governance and legal framework

The institution was created by an act of parliament that sets out its responsibilities and powers; details of that statute and the Library's governance arrangements are set out in the founding legislation and related documents such as the National Library Act. The Library is publicly funded and also receives support through donations, bequests and partnerships.

Significance

As the national reference library, it plays a central role in documenting national memory, supporting scholarship, and preserving documentary heritage. The Library works collaboratively with other cultural institutions and collecting bodies to improve access to Australia's documentary record and to safeguard materials for future generations.