Queensland

Since 1934 the John Oxley Library has collected, preserved and shared Queensland's collective memory. State Library is committed to collaboration across communities and collects materials that reflect and document the state's diversity and cultural heritage. 

Through these unique collections State Library encourages public engagement to develop a deeper understanding of the state's history and influences.  

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Treasures

Explore unique collections and significant treasures relating to Queensland, each one helping to document the state's heritage and contemporary influences.

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Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Collections

Explore the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through photographs, manuscripts and digital stories held in collections. 

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Many Voices

We are committed to collecting the stories that reflect the culturally and linguistically diverse communities of Queensland. Explore a selection reflecting this range of experiences.

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View along Adelaide Street from George Street with the buildings decorated for the Royal Visit, 1954

Living Queensland

With diverse environments and lifestyles, Queensland has more than its fair share of contrasts. Explore various collections reflecting Queensland’s landscape, culture and lifestyle.

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Peter Fischmann 2015 Queensland State Election Photographs and Moving Images

Political Persuasions

Politics in Queensland is topical and sometimes controversial. Explore the collections that reflect the contemporary influences on Queensland and its politics.

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World war 1 souvenir postcard features 1917 embroidered in Allied flags

World War I

Following the state’s recognition of the centenary of World War I (1914 – 1918), view identified collections, resources and stories telling us more about the Queensland experience of the First World War.

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Fellowships, awards and residencies

State Library of Queensland acknowledges the valuable contribution by researchers and organisations to investigate; interpret and preserve Queensland’s memory - past and present.

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For publishers and authors

Publishers and authors of Queensland content can access information about legal deposit, depositing electronic publications, and archiving web blogs and sites linked to Queensland.

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Donating to the collection

State Library of Queensland appreciates its generous donors, businesses and organisations who contribute Queensland content. If you have an item or collection of items which you would like to see permanently located in the John Oxley Library collection, there are a few simple steps to follow.

How to donate
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Two men looking at collection items in the State Library.

How to contribute

Queensland's cultural heritage, knowledge and documented history is held in public libraries, Indigenous Knowledge Centres, historical societies, community museums, regional galleries, schools, universities, community spaces, private collections and businesses across Queensland. State Library invites you to be involved and engage with our content.

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Man viewing collection items at the State Library.

Understanding copyright

These copyright resources will help you understand how you can use and copy our website content and collections.

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John Oxley Library Blog

Read popular articles published about Queensland people, places and events.

Crocodile sighted in the Logan River (1905)

On June 22, 1905, rumours a crocodile had been living in the Logan River, south of Brisbane, were confirmed when local storekeeper Alf Hinds spotted something “floating on the surface of the water, under a willow tree”. Hinds, with the assistance of his brother Jack and publican Charles Rumpf, towed the dead crocodile “down to the ferry landing, and pulled it up onto the bank”. The 3.83m crocodile had been shot at a few days prior, but not for the first time...

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State Library of Queensland goes to Hollywood

Did you know three photographs in the collection were used in a Hollywood blockbuster film? They appeared in the film Saving Mr Banks (2015) starring Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks in the adaption of Walt Disney’s 1964 'Mary Poppins', the beloved character of P. L. Travers’ childrens book. Real name Helen Lyndon Goff, P.L.Travers was born in Maryborough, Queensland in 1899.

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Map of the week

The Library has an extensive collection of Queensland estate maps. Many are digitised and can be viewed on the library’s catalogue, One Search. Popular with the readers of the John Oxley Library blog, a different map is posted regularly. This estate map dating 1911 advertised 59 allotments of land for sale at the Watson Estate between the Ipswich suburbs of Booval and East Ipswich.

Browse a compendium of our previous maps of the week on the John Oxley Library blog.

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