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All users should be aware that some topics or historical content may be culturally sensitive, offensive or distressing, and that some images may contain nudity or are of people not yet identified.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

Copying, publishing or purchasing digital copies

Getting copies of our manuscripts

Copyright

Before a copy can be made of a manuscript, Library staff will need to check copyright and other restrictions. 

Ask staff at the Special Collections desk or contact us by phone or email. 

More information about copyright is available on the State Library website.

Getting copies

Copies of manuscripts for reference and research purposes can be made by:

  • using your own digital camera
  • using Library microfilm reader printers 
  • ordering high quality digital scans
  • purchasing microfilm  
  • ordering paper or electronic copies

Publishing and citing our manuscripts

You will need permission to publish many of our manuscripts.

You must acknowledge the State Library and provide the correct locations.  To ensure that items can be found by other researchers, quote the source of the item that is reproduced including the creator, title, call number and digital order number if digitised. 

Tips

Always keep a note of the location number and any other details such as a page or folio number. 

You may need to refer back to them or use them in your bibliography