The National Library is a reference library – you can use collection items in our reading rooms but not take them home. We operate a collection delivery service because collection items are held in closed book stacks.

Some of our collections are temporarily unavailable due to major building activity. This means that some requests for deliveries of Library material to the Reading Rooms will not be fulfilled. Stay up to date with temporary changes to collection access or contact our Ask a Librarian service.

To get material

  1. Join the Library
  2. Lodge your requests through the catalogue. Library staff will locate items in our stacks and deliver them to one of our reading rooms
  3. Collect your items and use in our reading rooms.
  4. Items are held on reserve in the reading rooms for 7 days from date of request.

Check our collection delivery times before you visit, as they vary. If you submit requests after the latest listed time, your items will be delivered on the next scheduled delivery day. There are no collection deliveries during evenings or on weekends.

Most collection material can be requested over the Internet through the Library's catalogue. You can request up to 15 items that are kept on reserve for 7 days. Items with special storage conditions are held for 1 day only. Monitor the status of your requests by viewing 'Requests' in the catalogue. 

Some Pictures and Maps collection material cannot be requested electronically through the catalogue, contact our Ask a Librarian service prior to your visit to discuss access.

If you can't visit the Library

Selected material from the National Library's collection may be accessible via interlibrary loan upon request by another Library. Contact your local library for details.

Copies DirectOur Copies Direct service provides a fast, easy and inexpensive way to obtain copies of material in the National Library’s collection. It may not be possible to copy all material due to preservation, copyright or other restrictions

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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