National Library of Australia

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

Biological sciences [Basic]

    Comments: Some largely historical strengths derived primarily from the 1970s. Since that time, however, the Library has collected more modestly in this subject area.

- Biology (general) [Basic]

- Biophysics and biochemistry [Minimal]

- Tissue, cellular and molecular biology [Minimal]

- Descriptive and comparative biology [Minimal]

- Ecology [Basic]

- Organisms in specific localities [Minimal]

- Evolution and genetics [Minimal]

    Comments: Richard Booth formed collection of 231 items on evolution provides a little historical depth.

- Microbiology, microscopy, bacteria [Minimal]

- Botany (general) [Minimal]

    Comments: Strengths include publications of the Linnean Society of London, and microfilm copies of manuscripts held by the Society, which relate to Australia. Relevant material from the British Museum (Natural History) is held as part of the Australian Joint Copying Project and commercially published microfilm sets. Botanists such as Sir Joseph Banks and Robert Brown, and artists such as Ferdinand Bauer, Susan Fereday, Ellis Rowan and Adam Forster are also represented.

- Seed-bearing plants (Spermatophyta) [Minimal]

- Other plants [Minimal]

- Zoology (general) [Minimal]

- Invertebrates [Minimal]

- Vertebrates [Minimal]

    Comments: Mathews Ornithological Collection from noted ornithologist Gregory Macalister Mathews (1876-1949), comprises books, pamphlets, reprints, manuscripts & pictorial material is regarded as the most comprehensive collection relating to the study of Australian birds to be assembled. Include watercolours by the Cayleys, John Gould, J.W. Lewin & Lilian Medland; manuscripts include those of Mathews himself, Gould & Sylvester Diggles. Also hold National Photographic Index of Australian Birds.

- Entomology [Minimal]

    Comments: collection of 6,000 volumes of periodicals and 600 monographic works on entomology from the library of Elwood C. Zimmerman, an authority on weevils and Pacific insects, provides some historic depth to the collection. Part of this collection is on long term loan to CSIRO Black Mountain.

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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