Newspapers and Family History zone of the Main Reading Room

Newspapers and Family History zone

Visit our Newspapers and Family History zone to access hardcopy and microfilm newspapers, family history resources, and material from our microform collection.  The area is situated in the Main Reading Room on the Ground Floor, and open during the same hours.

What can I do in the Newspapers and Family History zone ? 

In the Newspapers and Family History zone you may: 

  • ask our friendly staff for advice on getting started with your research, especially your family history 
  • access the extensive microfilm drawers filled with major Australian newspapers, including titles not available on Trove 
  • find select family history resources in both microform and print, including electoral rolls, parish records and reference books 
  • use the microform readers
  • access computers to use online family history resources 
  • print, scan and photocopy

If you are researching your family history, we recommend that you first take a look at our Family History Research Guides on a variety of topics, prepared by our expert staff. They provide useful advice and information on the resources we have available to help support your research.

When can I visit ?

To prepare for your visit, please check our opening hours. The zone is closed on public holidays. 

How do I access the collection ?

If you have a Library login you can request collection material before you visit. Newspapers and microform are delivered according to our collection delivery times. Some Australian and overseas newspapers, are held at our offsite storage facilities and will take longer to be delivered.  Please note that there are no collection deliveries in evenings or on weekends and that delivery times vary throughout the week.  

For reasons of preservation, access to microform copies is preferred to print unless absolutely necessary. Please talk to our desk staff for advice.

What can I bring into the Newspapers and Family history zone ? 

You are welcome to bring handbags or small bags (under 300mm square only) into the zone. Large bags over 300mm square, coats, umbrellas and other large objects can be stored in our free self-service lockers on Lower Ground 1.

Water in a bottle with a tightly secured lid is permitted, in line with our policy on Food and drink in public areas.

Please do not leave personal possessions or bags unattended in the reading room. For the safety of our patrons unattended items may be inspected and removed by authorised officers of the Library.   

For further advice and assistance on using our collections Ask a Librarian.

The National Library of Australia acknowledges Australia’s First Nations Peoples – the First Australians – as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and gives respect to the Elders – past and present – and through them to all Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Cultural Notification

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website contains a range of material which may be considered culturally sensitive including the records of people who have passed away.

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