Manuscript Collections

Finding and using items in the manuscript collection for research purposes

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are kindly advised that this website includes images, sounds and names of people who have passed.

All users should be aware that some topics or historical content may be culturally sensitive, offensive or distressing, and that some images may contain nudity or are of people not yet identified. Certain words, terms or descriptions may reflect the author's/creator's attitude or that of the period in which they were written, but are now considered inappropriate in today's context.

Key to library resources

Access anywhere with a library card In the Library (or anywhere with a Library card for NSW residents)
Available to access in the library Only in the Library
Publicly available online Publicly available

Finding items in the collection

Searching catalogues

Note: you can select more than one format to search at a time.
There is also a manuscript card catalogue. To search this you can either visit the Library or contact us and we will search the card catalogue for you.

Detailed guides to manuscript collections

Detailed guides and lists to many of our manuscript collections are either linked to the online catalogue record or available for browsing on the shelves in the Special Collections area of the Mitchell Library reading room.

Viewing manuscripts in the collection

In most cases, you will need to visit the Library to view our manuscripts. 

If a microfilm or paper copy of a manuscript exists, this will be issued rather than the original.

Digitised manuscripts

Some manuscripts have been digitised, or partly digitised, and are available to view online. You can search our online catalogue for manuscripts by selecting Manuscripts from the drop down next to the search box. Manuscripts that have been digitised will have catalogue records with thumbnail images and the words “ONLINE AND FOR USE IN THE LIBRARY”. Simply click on the thumbnail image, the catalogue record or the “ONLINE AND FOR USE IN THE LIBRARY” button to access the digitised content. 

A selection of manuscripts can be viewed through our Stories page which is arranged by themes in Australian history, life and culture.

Restricted manuscripts

Some items are subject to restricted access. Check the electronic catalogue record carefully to see if there are restrictions. You may need to obtain written permission before you can use the collection.  Contact us if you are unsure about the restrictions and need guidance.

Manuscripts requiring appointments

You may need to make an appointment to view a particular item, for example, the item may be awaiting cataloguing, or it may be stored offsite and require advanced notice for delivery.  This information should appear at the bottom of the electronic catalogue record.  Once again, contact us if you are unsure.

Before you visit

  • Check with us that the manuscript is available for you to view (is it restricted, does it require an appointment, is it offsite?)
  • Check the opening hours for Special Collections.

Tips

Try our new Digital Collections catalogue 
https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/digitaL

  

Enter your keywords in the Digital Collections catalogue
to find images and other digitised content of interest in
our collections. 

Click on an image to lead you to more details in the catalogue. 

From here you can also browse collection hierarchies and subject headings. 

New Acquisitions

You can subscribe to RSS feeds to view recent acquisitions.