National Library of Australia

Summary subject collecting information (definitions of the ALG collecting levels are available for reference):

Geography and earth sciences [Basic]

    Comments: Serial & monograph collections broad enough to support systematic study of most countries & regions in the world, though not necessarily detailed physical & ecological characteristics. Special strength of the collection is detailed regional descriptions of the British Isles. Strong reference collection, with emphasis on acquisition of gazetteers. Collection is strongest for Europe, North America, East Asia & the Pacific.

- Earth sciences and geophysics (general) [Minimal]

    Comments: Basic collection of dictionaries, encyclopaedias, comprehensive global overviews & a few key serial titles covering various disciplines. Apart from the significant range & quantity of material acquired through deposit & exchange arrangements with various government instrumentalities & learned bodies, such as geological surveys, meteorological offices and oceanographic institutes, which approaches a higher level, the existing collection is predominantly at the basic or minimal level.

- Geodesy and surveying [Basic]

- Atmospheric sciences [Basic]

- Geology (general) [Minimal]

- Geomorphology, Hydrology and oceanography [Minimal]

- Paleontology [Minimal]

- Petrology, mineralogy and economic geology [Minimal]

- Regional Geology [Minimal]

- Geology of Australia [Research]

- Geography and travel (general) [Study - Basic]

- Maps and atlases [Research]

    Comments: Maps, atlases, aerial & remote sensing images, globes & electronic spatial data. Gazetteers & literature related to the science & art of map production. Significant historical collection of Australian maps & modern topographic mapping. Extensive overseas collection - current concentration on regions nearest to Australia. Standard topographic, aeronautical & hydrographic chart series are high priority. Wide range of thematic mapping & rare maps re European discovery & exploration of Australia.

- Geography of ancient world [Basic]

- Geography of Europe [Basic]

- Geography of Asia [Study - Intermediate]

- Geography of Africa [Basic]

- Geography of North and Central America [Basic]

- Geography of South America [Basic]

- Geography of Australia [Research]

- Geography of other places [Study - Intermediate]

Highlights of the collection: The National Library of Australia holds a comprehensive collection of material relating to Australia and the Australian people. The Library's collections of Australiana have developed into the nation's single most important resource of materials recording Australian cultural heritage. The Library collects Australian materials of all kinds - not just works in print form - books, serials, maps, music and ephemera - but also online publications and unpublished material such as manuscripts, pictures and oral histories. The Library also has considerable collections of general overseas and rare book materials, as well as world-class Asian and Pacific collections which augment the Australiana collections.

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