Manuscripts Queensland - frequently asked questions
What is Manuscripts Queensland?
What are original materials?
What is a finding aid?
What will I find?
How can I access original materials?
How does the State Library of Queensland acquire its original materials?
Can I donate original materials to the State Library of Queensland?
Q: What is Manuscripts Queensland?
A: Manuscripts Queensland provides access to the finding aids of the original material collections of the State Library of Queensland.
Manuscripts Queensland also provides online access to digital images and transcriptions of selected items. The number of items available in this manner will grow over time.
Q: What are original materials?
A: Original materials is a term which can be applied to anything unpublished, whether textual, pictorial or artefact.
A: A finding aid is a tool that provides intellectual access to a collection of original materials. It assists users to gain an understanding of the materials described, and provides information about accessing the collection. The term, finding aid, can be applied to a wide range of formats, including card indices, calendars, guides, inventories, shelf and container lists and registers.
The finding aids in Manuscripts Queensland are documents that place the materials described in context by providing information about the provenance of those materials, including an administrative history or biographical note about the creator/s, and the scope of the collection including its content, organisation and arrangement. Where available, series and item records are also included as part of the finding aid.
Item records are the most specific descriptions available within a finding aid, each describing a particular physical item in a collection. The item records are linked through series to collection records which describe the scope, content, provenance and other information about the collection as a whole.
A: Original materials are the unique and unpublished items in the State Library's collection. These collections document the private history of Queensland. They contain information about the social, cultural, economic and political development of Queensland.
However, the State Library of Queensland does not collect government records. These records are in the custody of the Queensland State Archives and the National Archives of Australia.
Q: How can I access original materials?
A: Physical access to the collections is only available in the State Library's John Oxley Library reading room, Brisbane. If you are unable to visit the John Oxley Library in person, but are interested in our collections, please contact us.
Q: How does the State Library of Queensland acquire its original materials?
A: The State Library of Queensland usually acquires original materials as donations from individuals and organisations. Sometimes, when significant items become available on the antiquarian market, the State Library will also purchase collections. All original material acquisitions are appraised against the State Library’s collection development policy.
Q: Can I donate original materials to the State Library of Queensland?
A: If you have material that you think may be a valuable addition to the State Library’s collection please contact us. This may be a box of old family letters and photographs, the records of your association, club or business, or an historical Queensland painting.
Search our collections:
Related links
Features
- Manifesto of the Queensland Labour Party to the people of Queensland
- The Archer Brothers in Queensland
- Voyage of the Rattlesnake
- QANTAS logbook
- Shipboard diaries
External links
- Collections Australia Network
- Queensland State Archives
- Register of Australian Archives and Manuscripts
- Fryer Library
Using collections
Last updated: 25th August 2011
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