Languages other than English (LOTE) collections available from State Library of Queensland, Public Library Services
The LOTE (Languages other than English) collection of the State Library of Queensland has over 90,000 items in more than 45 languages [new window 
61 kb]. Each collection has adult fiction, adult non fiction, junior fiction and junior non fiction. Large print books, taped books, DVDs and music CDs are also available in some languages. To find out if your language is available from the State Library please refer to the languages list. To assist in finding books written in particular genres please refer to the LOTE Genre checklist [new window 116 kb].
The LOTE collection of the State Library's Public Library Services (PLS) is held in storage at Cannon Hill and is designed to meet the needs of those who wish to read a language other than English. This includes those who have a first language other than English; multilingual people seeking to maintain fluency in a number of languages and those who have learned a language other than English and wish to maintain and improve literacy in the language.
Materials from the collection are sent in bulk in response to a request (see Bulk loan procedures) from public libraries throughout Queensland. Members of the public wishing to borrow languages other than English should contact their local public library for this free service.Find your local public library by searching the list of Queensland towns and suburbs. You can also identify which libraries have public Internet access.
Libraries other than Queensland public libraries should contact Interlibrary loans to request specific titles or information about the LOTE collection.
As the majority of the LOTE collection is on extended loan to public libraries, delays in receiving individual titles for requests should be expected. The following documents are guides to help you search and request items from the catalogue.
- Searching the Public Library Services catalogue [new window 410 kb]
- Placing a request [new window 117 kb].
The State Library's Multicultural Bridge provides information in 19 languages on accessing the collections.
Public library staff in Queensland should use the online forms to request material from the LOTE collection.
Last updated: 12th May 2009
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