LITERATURE
Explore Literature: Les fleurs du mal, Charles Baudelaire 1821-67
The State Library of Queensland's collection contains literature and literary criticism from Queensland, Australia and the world. You can visit the great works of literature going back to the ancient Greeks, take a trip down memory lane with old Queensland school readers or browse through the latest winners of the man Booker Prize.
For students, we have literary biography, history and criticism, both in print and online. A range of encyclopedias and dictionaries provide an entree to literature of all types and from all countries and time periods. For scholars, there are research level collections in areas of Queensland literature and in-depth collections of Australian literature.
Literature map of Queensland
Explore the John Oxley Library's rich collection of imaginative writing that is either about Queensland icons or set in Queensland. Above: Title page of The curse and its cure by T.P. Lucas, Call No. RBJ A823.2 LUC |
Literary journals
Contemporary literary journals may be browsed in print and online. Important Australian journals (Meanjin, Southerly), short-run 20th century titles and periodicals dating back to the 19th century are available. Above: The Yellow Book: an illustrated quarterly, vol 1, 1894, Edited by Aubrey Beardsley |
19th century Australian literature
A particular strength of the State Library's literature collection is its 19th century Australian collection which includes books and magazines from both Australia and Great Britain. Above: Reading together, ca. 1895, Image No. 93068 |
Queensland authors
The State Library collects the complete body of works of Queensland authors. This includes all domestic and foreign editions and manuscript material. Above: Sketch of poet James Brunton Stephens, Image No. 131617 |
Queensland school readers
Introduced in 1915, Queensland school readers were the first set of readers written specifically for Queensland school children. The State Library holds a selection of these old favourites. Above: Classes on the verandah at Yungaburra State School, ca. 1928, Image No. API-081-0001-0019 |
PoetryPoetry is one of the heavyweights of the State Library's literature collections. There is an excellent collection of anthologies, collected works and relevant magazines along with a range of indexes encyclopedias and dictionaries both in print and online. Above: William Dalrymple Nicol illuminated manuscripts, featuring poems of Will H. Ogilvie, A.B. Paterson and Henry Lawson |
How do I access items in this collection?
Access at the State Library of Queensland
- Find items in the collection via our One Search catalogue.
- Browse Levels 2, 3 and 4 or request items from onsite ‘Closed Access’ storage with your e-services card. If you order Closed Access items via the One Search catalogue ahead of your visit, items should be waiting for you when you arrive. You can order up to 3 days in advance. See delivery times for more information.
- Use our e-collections computers on level 2 to search the library’s catalogue; to search our databases for electronic journal, magazine and newspaper articles and to view images and manuscripts from our collection. These e-collections computers do not need to be booked and have no time limits on their use.
- You can also access our electronic resources via the State Library’s free wireless service if you have a laptop. Check our Info Guide on how to access wireless for details.
Access offsite
You can access selected offsite databases to search for electronic journal, magazine and newspaper articles. You will be prompted to login with your e-services card or QPL account.
Some State Library items are available for loan to other libraries. Contact your local library for information about interlibrary loan and copy services.
Search our collections:
Databases
- Literature Resource Center (may require login)
- Austlit database (may require login)
- Literature databases (may require login)
- MLA International Bibliography (may require login)
Electronic reference books
- Oxford Reference Centre online (may require login)
- Gale Virtual Reference Library (may require login)
Virtual books
- The curse and its cure
- Free read - links to free e-books of works by Australian authors who died before 1955
Queensland stories
Related links
External Links
- A State of writing
- Australian literature portal
- Australian literature on the internet
- Bookshow - Radio National
Last updated: 17th November 2011
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