Search for a manuscript
FAQ
What is Manuscripts Queensland?
What are original materials?
What is a finding aid?
What will I find?
How can I access original materials?
How does the State Library of Queensland acquire its original materials?
Can I donate original materials to the State Library of Queensland?
Q: What is Manuscripts Queensland?
A: Manuscripts Queensland provides access to the finding aids of the original material collections of the State Library of Queensland.
Manuscripts Queensland also provides online access to digital images and transcriptions of selected items. The number of items available in this manner will grow over time. Go to the Features page to find out what has been digitised so far.
Q: What are original materials?
A: Original materials is a term which can be applied to anything unpublished, whether textual, pictorial or artefact. The About Manuscripts Queensland page contains detailed information about what original materials are, and what you will find in the State Library’s collections.
Q: What is a finding aid?
A: A finding aid is a tool that provides intellectual access to a collection of original materials. It assists users to gain an understanding of the materials described, and provides information about accessing the collection. The term finding aid can be applied to a wide range of formats, including card indices, calendars, guides, inventories, shelf and container lists, and registers.
The finding aids in Manuscripts Queensland are documents that place the materials described in context by providing information about the provenance of those materials, including an administrative history or biographical note about the creator/s, and the scope of the collection including its content, organisation and arrangement. Where available, series and item records are also included as part of the finding aid.
Item records are the most specific description available within a finding aid, each describing a particular physical item in a collection. The item records are linked through series to collection records which describe the scope, content, provenance and other information about the collection as a whole.
Go to Find Manuscripts for information about searching the Manuscripts Queensland database.
Q: What will I find?
A: Original Materials are the unique and unpublished items in the State Library's collection. These collections document the private history of Queensland. They contain information about the social, cultural, economic and political development of Queensland.
However, the State Library of Queensland does not collect government records. These records are in the custody of the Queensland State Archives and the National Archives of Australia.
Q: How can I access original materials?
A: Physical access to the collections is only available in the State Library's John Oxley Library reading room, Brisbane. If you are unable to visit the John Oxley Library in person but are interested in our collections please contact us.
Q: How does the State Library of Queensland acquire its original materials?
A: The State Library of Queensland usually acquires original materials as donations from individuals and organisations. Sometimes when significant items become available on the antiquarian market, the Library will also purchase collections. All original material acquisitions are appraised against the State Library’s collection development policy.
Q: Can I donate original materials to the State Library of Queensland?
A: If you have material that you think may be a valuable addition to the State Library’s collection please contact us. This may be a box of old family letters and photographs, the records of your association, club or business, or a historical Queensland painting.
More information
If you have an enquiry, you can contact us in any of the following ways:
Last updated: 5th February 2008
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