National Library of Australia

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

Library science and interdisciplinary works [Study - Basic]

- Knowledge and bibliography [Study - Basic]

    Comments: Bibliographies, general encyclopaedic works, & guides to general organisations are represented in the collection by a wide variety of works. Wide but not comprehensive collection of National bibliographies. For the major publishing nations, bibliographies supplemented, where possible, by national trade publications listing in-print titles. Selected individual booksellers' & publishers' catalogues in fields which the institution has actively collected.

- Library science [Study - Basic]

    Comments: Good cross-section of the monograph & serial literature, with some aspects of the discipline relevant to the Library's own fields of operation held at research or near research level - including: all functions associated with the development, control, management & preservation of a large collection; provision of reference, referral & document delivery services; functions of national coordination and international liaison; activities of management, promotion & innovative technological support.

- Encyclopedias and yearbooks [Study - Basic]

    Comments: A wide variety of general encyclopaedias in English and other languages is held in the collection together with guides to general organisations at the national and international levels.

- Journalism, publishing and newspapers [Study - Basic]

    Comments: Extensive collection of newspapers. Collect all Australian capital city dailies, as well as major country newspapers, newspapers published by ethnic groups & political organisations, as well as newspapers representing special interests. Overseas collection is made up of a wide selection of major national & international papers with titles from most countries of the world.

- Manuscripts and rare printed materials [Study - Basic]

- Organisations and associations [Study - Basic]

- Serials, collections and essays [Basic]

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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