John Oxley Library
See also: Queensland Heritage | Using the collection
The John Oxley Library, officially opened in 1934 and now part of the State Library of Queensland's Heritage Collections, is the State’s premier library for material documenting the history and development of Queensland.
Material is collected in the subject areas of Queensland history and cultural life, Queensland and Australian literature, Australian exploration and discovery, Queensland biography, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander myths and legends, culture and anthropology. One copy of all items published in Queensland must be deposited with the State Library as a requirement of legal deposit. The John Oxley Library aims to acquire the complete works of Queensland authors. Australian Joint Copying Project material is also collected.
- John Oxley Library Blog
A range of topics related to Queensland heritage as well as information about events, presentations, collection highlights and activities available at the John Oxley Library. - Rare books
The John Oxley Library holds the largest single collection of rare books published in or about Queensland. The collection covers a wide range of early and rare Queensland and Australian imprints dating from the 17th century to the present day. The subject strengths featured in rare books are: Australian exploration and discovery; Christianity and missionaries; pastoral life; and Australian literature. - Maps
The John Oxley Library maintains a collection of historic maps of Queensland. The emphasis is on non-government Queensland mapping resources, specifically historical maps, land exploration maps, pastoral maps and commercial or real estate maps. - Personal papers of Queenslanders and business archives
The John Oxley Library collects the personal papers of individuals and families including documents such as letters, diaries and photographs. The records of organisations and companies (including associations, businesses, churches and political parties) are also collected and generally consist of material such as minute books, correspondence, reports and financial records. - The pictorial collection, comprising photographs, paintings and other artworks
The John Oxley Library holds a comprehensive collection of photographs relating to the history and continuing development of Queensland. The collection comprises over 900,000 images including copy prints, original photographs, glass plate negatives, celluloid negatives and albums. Over 30,000 images from the collections are now available on the State Library’s web site Picture Queensland, which showcase themes both historical and contemporary.
Original paintings, sketches and artists’ prints are primarily acquired for the purpose of documenting the history of the people and places of Queensland. The works range from Henry Boucher Bowerman’s View of the Penal Settlement at Moreton Bay, executed in 1835, to drawings by contemporary Queensland artist Davida Allen. There are paintings by Conrad Martens (1801-1878), Oscar Fristrom (1856-1918), John Campbell (1855-1924) and Robert Rayment (1839-93) and significant holdings of original cartoons by Hal Eyre, Wilson Cooper, Stewart McCrae and Alan Moir. - The ephemera collection
Ephemera is a class of material, generally printed, that falls outside traditional channels of publication, sale and bibliographic control. It includes material which was widely distributed to the public and generally seen as transient or “throw away”. Examples include menus, theatre programs, tickets, tourist brochures, political advertising material, invitations, greeting cards etc. Ephemera is an important source of information and can be a unique window into Queensland social life, customs, popular culture and political viewpoints. - The Queensland newspaper collection
The Queensland newspaper collection has been created to provide comprehensive coverage of all Queensland newspaper titles and those which are relevant to Queensland’s development, due to their proximity to Queensland. The intention is to collect at least one copy of any newspaper published in Queensland, including any major variant editions. Clipping files on Queensland topics and personalities, primarily for the period 1960 – 2000, are also held.
Online resources
- Picture Queensland
The photographs in Picture Queensland depict various aspects of Queensland life, the settlement of early pioneers; the prominent people who have shaped our history; the homes and buildings constructed to the fashions we wore through the years. A collection, previously restricted to "walk in" clients, is now available to anyone who can access the internet. Images of other visual resources such as labels, postcards, original artworks and maps are also available in Picture Queensland. - Manuscripts Queensland
Manuscripts Queensland provides access to the finding aids of the original material collections of the State Library. Original Materials including personal diaries and papers, and the records of organisations and companies are the unique and unpublished items in the State Library's collection. They contain information about the social, cultural, economic and political development of Queensland. Manuscripts Queensland also provides access to digital images and transcriptions of selected items.
Detailed information about the John Oxley Library’s collection can be found in the State Library's Collection development policy, chapter 4 - heritage collections [new window 
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Please note
Please note that bags of any kind, as well as food or drink (including bottled water), are not permitted in the Heritage Collections reading room on Level 4 of the State Library building. The only items which will be permitted are pencils, loose sheets of paper, notepads, laptop computers and digital cameras. A cloakroom is located at Reception on Level 1 and lockers are available on Level 4 for your convenience.
More information
If you have a Queensland related enquiry, you can get in touch with us in any of the following ways:
For general enquiries:
- Ask at your local Queensland public library
- Other libraries [new window http://www.nla.gov.au/libraries/]
Last updated: 26th May 2008
Creatively linking Queenslanders to information, knowledge and each other
