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Policies and guidelines
Our policies and guidelines provide information on matters such as bringing food, drinks and bags into the library, how we develop and manage collections and much more.
Welcome to State Library of Queensland. Our Conditions of Entry support the enjoyment and safety of visitors and staff. State Library includes our South Bank building and The Edge.
While here, you are welcome to:
- interact with others with courtesy and respect
- use State Library collections, facilities, equipment and property with care and respect
- consume food or drinks (including water) in designated areas
- take photos (without flash) and film for private purposes, except in areas where photography and filming are signed as restricted, and observing these restrictions:
- tripods, monopods, gimbals and lighting equipment are not permitted
- large scale commercial photography and filming requires prior written permission from State Library
- onsite wedding photography (levels 2-5) is only possible for those who have booked their wedding, ceremony, or reception in a State Library venue
- avoid photographing or filming children who are not under your care.
- bring bags onsite, other than in restricted areas. Bags exceeding 40 cm (l) x 30 cm (w) x 35 cm (h) may pose a safety risk to others and cannot be placed in the cloak room.
- bring prams and strollers into spaces, taking care to avoid other visitors or property
- make comments and suggestions about our services so that we can consider improvements or inform library staff if you become aware of any risk or potential risk to people or property.
You must not:
- leave your children (under the age of 12) unsupervised
- smoke or vape
- bring or consume alcohol or illegal substances
- bring items that could be used as a weapon including those that could harm or be considered threatening
- behave in a way that is violent, aggressive, threatening, intimidating, offensive, objectionable, humiliating or inconsiderate of staff or visitors
- create a disturbance or public nuisance; cause loss or damage to State Library property, staff or visitors; or interfere with business operations or the enjoyment of visitors
- fail to meet a minimum standard of dress or personal hygiene (appropriate clothes and footwear is required)
- use language or display any sign, item or material which is offensive or objectionable, in the reasonable opinion of State Library staff, including content, which is sexually explicit, expresses racial hatred or depicts representations of violence
- engage in canvassing or hawking
- distribute unapproved printed material or merchandise, or display unapproved audio-visual materials
- bring electric recreational vehicles such as e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards and their removable batteries inside State Library premises.
- leave your bags or belongings unattended
State Library reserves the right to:
- exclude or remove any individual who does not comply with our Conditions of entry, rules and policies as well as government regulations and laws
- inspect any bag, luggage or object, regardless of description, upon entry and departure from State Library
- photograph, film or record events and activities that take place within State Library premises for reporting, archival and promotional purposes
- use CCTV cameras throughout the premises to enhance security of property and individuals
Ask a Librarian Service Policy
The Ask a Librarian services exist to connect people to the expertise, content and resources appropriate to meet their information needs. The service also equips clients with the skills to carry out independent research.
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Bags and Belongings Policy
The State Library provides visitors with a cloakroom facility as a secure location to deposit their personal belongings while visiting the premises.
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Client Complaints Management Policy and Procedures 2025
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Comments Policy
Ensures contributions to State Library’s online spaces including the website, blogs and catalogue are appropriate and respectful
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Loans to Clients Policy
State Library of Queensland provides a lending service for the borrowing of physical items from the Information Collection. The Loans to Clients Policy provides guidelines on how individuals can engage with our diverse collections.
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Lost Property Policy
Provides a set of guidelines to manage the receipt, storage and disposal of property left or lost in the State Library.
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Management of Personal Information Policy
Personal information is a core business asset to State Library and is managed accordingly. The Management of Personal Information Policy provides guidance on how personal information is protected, managed, accessed, and shared.
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Public Access ICT Services Policy
Information on the free ICT services provided at the library, including using the internet through the library’s computers and through visitors’ own devices.
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Responsible Client Conduct Policy
How State Library provides a safe and welcoming place for all, and information on unacceptable behaviour and how staff and security officers will respond.
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Your Information Guidelines
How State Library collects and stores your personal information.
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Content Guidelines - Extraordinary Collections
Guidelines for the development of our Extraordinary Collections, which provide exceptional examples and context of books as objects.
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Content Guidelines - Information Collections
Guidelines for the development of our Information Collections which provide for the information needs of all Queensland residents.
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Content Guidelines - Memory Collections
Guidelines for the development of our Memory Collections, which contribute to a greater understanding of Queensland past and present.
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Content Guidelines - Public Library Collections
Guidelines for the development of our Public Library Collections which support public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres across Queensland.
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Content Strategy
The framework for State Library's holistic development and management of collections and content.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Collections Commitments
These Commitments provide a foundation for State Library to appropriately enable greater access and use of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collections.
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Content Description Principles
This documents sets out principles that guide how State Library describes content in our collections, which is fundamental to how it is discovered, accessed, use and preserved, now and into the future.
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Content Withdrawal policy
Outlines the standards, policies, guidelines and methodologies which guide State Library staff on the withdrawal and disposal of collection items from the Memory Collections, Extraordinary Collections, Information Collections, and Public Library Collections.
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Digital Capture Specifications
This document details State Library of Queensland's provision of digital source files and the standards for their capture to meet future access and preservation requirements.
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Digitisation Policy
How State Library digitises collection items to enable our clients to have a rich digital experience of Queensland content.
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Indigenous Intellectual Property and Ownership
Indigenous Intellectual Property and Ownership
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Pest Management for Collections Policy
The Integrated Pest Management Policy outlines the risk to State Library's collections posed by potential outbreak of pests, mould, and other contaminants while detailing prevention and response initiatives.
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Preservation Policy
Provides a framework for the preservation and protection of State Library's physical and digital collections.
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Reconsideration of library collections policy
State Library provides open and equitable access to information. This policy enables State Library to assess and respond to requests made to change the availability, access or catalogue descriptions of physical or online content.
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Vancouver statement on collections-as-data 2023
State Library of Queensland supports the 2023 Vancouver statement on collections-as-data, which provides guidance to organisations invested in developing, providing access to, and supporting responsible computational use of collections as data.
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Complaints about the State Librarian and CEO policy
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Exhibition Policy
The Exhibitions Policy outlines the purpose of exhibitions at State Library of Queensland.
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Intellectual Freedom Policy
This policy outlines how the State Library addresses its responsibilities to intellectual freedom.
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Intellectual Property Management Policy
How State Library manages the Intellectual Property we create or own, and how the State Library uses Intellectual Property owned by third parties.
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Naming Rights Policy
How State Library grants and manages naming rights of spaces and activities
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Open Data Strategy 2022-24
State Library's strategy to uncover data in our collections, make it more usable, provide learning and skill development opportunities, create rich digital experiences, empower experimentation, and ensure open access to cultural heritage.
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Public Interest Disclosure Policy and Procedure
Outlines our commitment to encouraging the internal reporting of wrong-doing and the procedures for appropriate action, resolution and protection for disclosers.
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Use of Generative AI principles
The set of principles identifies key considerations for the use of generative AI products and services at State Library
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Volunteer Program Policy
Volunteer Program Policy
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Policies that relate to how we work with other organisations.
Loans and Copies to Libraries Policy
The Loans and Copies to Libraries Policy governs the interlibrary loan and document supply service for the borrowing and copying of items from State Library collections by Australian and international libraries. The policy provides guidelines on how libraries can access State Library’s diverse collections.
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Loans for Exhibition Policy
The Exhibitions Loans Policy governs the loan of items from and to State Library of Queensland while outlining the requirements for incoming and outgoing loans and detailing the responsibilities related to managing loaned items.
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