State Library of Queensland > Collections > Queensland history

QUEENSLAND HISTORY

Colour postcard of view down Edward Street, Brisbane, past the South African War Memorial, ca. 1920, Image No. 187173

The State Library of Queensland's John Oxley Library was established in 1934 as a centre for research and study relating to Queensland. Over the last 75 years it has grown into the state’s premier collection of Queensland historical documentation.

The collection comprises a variety of formats including journals, books, magazines, newspapers, ephemera, art works, maps, films, manuscripts, photographs, oral histories, and digital stories – materials that preserve the story of Queensland’s 150 years of social, economic, and political development.

Local history

Local history is history within a local context and includes the study of the cultural and social aspects of local communities. Extensive supporting material is held within the State Library's heritage collections.

Above: Soil testing before planting trees in the main street of Blackall, 1941, Image No. 115553

Contemporary Queensland

Tractor travelling along a road on Yorke Island, Torres Strait, Qld, 1984.

The State Library collects a wide range of contemporary material which complements its historical collections. Including photographs, books, music, film and video, posters, artworks, maps and manuscripts, our collections present the diverse cultural and social customs of contemporary Queensland and its people.

Above: Tractor travelling along a road on Yorke Island, Torres Strait, Queensland, 1984 - Image Number: 410-14-15

Floods

Floods and other natural disasters are an enduring theme in Queensland's history and development and many of these have been heavily documented by historians and others in the community.

Above: Children playing in the flooded streets, Brisbane, 1893, Image No. API-014-0001-0006

Manuscripts Queensland

Early QANTAS log book: from the original materials collection

Manuscripts Queensland provides access to private records. The collection includes information about a wide range of historical as well as contemporary Queensland subjects.

Above: QANTAS Log Book, 1921-1932, Accession No. OMAN

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.

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