Research Guides: Rare Books and Special Collections: Getting started

Tags: artist's books, bibles, fore-edge painting, formed collections, grangerised material, incunabula, limited edition books, magna carta, manuscripts, natural world, rare books, rare books collection, shakespeare's folios, special collections

Key to library resources

	In the Library (or anywhere with a Library card for NSW residents)
	Only in the Library
	Publicly available

Getting started

Use this guide to explore the Library's extensive, diverse and unique Rare Books collection.

You will learn about significant items, how to find and use material from the collection as well as how to get copies.

We've also included some resources to help you to continue learning about rare books.

Sign up for a library card online
You will need a Special Collections card to use material from the Rare Books collection. You can sign up online or in the Library.

Rare books at the Library

Visit the Special Collections area in the Mitchell Library Reading Room to use material that you've requested from the Rare Books collection.

Find the Special Collections area at the southern end of the Mitchell Library Reading Room. The Special Collections area is closed on Sundays.

Access to Special Collections request
If you're not in the Library, but you're planning a visit to the Library in the next month, you can use this form to request:
- access to view original material and rare printed material.
- an appointment to view supervised use material. (Supervised viewings are available by appointment, Monday to Friday.)
- access to view unprocessed and restricted material.

If you're in the Library, please speak to a staff member to discuss your request.
Special collections conditions of use
The Special Collections area is a dedicated space to use original material and rare printed material. You will need to follow the conditions of use when in this space. These guidelines help to protect and preserve the Library’s collections for future generations.

Digitised image of a plate from The Zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle

Tanangra Darwini (Blue-and-yellow Tanger).

The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle : under the Command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., during the Years 1832 to 1836... / Edited and Superintended by Charles Darwin. Smith, Elder, 1840.

State Library of NSW: SAFE/Q591.9/ D SET

Rare Books and Special Collections

Key to library resources

Getting started

Use this guide to explore the Library's extensive, diverse and unique Rare Books collection.

Rare books at the Library

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