Using the Collection

Asian Collections

See also: Find Asian materials | What we collect

Finding what you want

While much of our collection is listed in the Library's catalogue not all of the collection has been catalogued and you will also need to consult with librarians in charge of the various language collections. For Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai materials readers are able to search in scripts in both the Library's catalogue and in Libraries Australia Search. There are also printed guides to specific parts of the collection. Please consult staff for further information.

Using the Asian Collections Reading Room

As a visitor to the Library, you will find basic reference tools for each language collection, some current newspapers and magazines on open display in the Asian Collections Reading Room. The rest of the collection is housed in closed stacks but you may request materials online by electronic callslip request. Materials can usually be retrieved within 10 to 15 minutes. Please submit your requests no later than 4.40 p.m. Researchers wishing to browse the collections should enquire about a stack pass. We require proof of identification such as a driver's licence or student ID card.

You may reserve materials for use in the Petherick Reading Room on Monday to Thursday evenings and on weekends - please read more about the Library's collection delivery service.

An exception to this is the Indonesian Collection which is housed with the rest of the Library's collection and can be requested for use in the Main Reading Room using eCallslips.

For older newspapers and materials on microform please enquire at the Newspaper/Microform Reading Room.

The reading room is equipped with two standalone CD-ROM workstations for use of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai and Indonesian CD-ROMs. A standalone Japanese Windows workstation provides access to online Japanese resources. There is also an Internet terminal with language settings which allows searching and viewing of internet sites in the Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai languages. Other equipment available in the reading room include power points for laptops and a CD/cassette player.

Copying

Photocopying services are available in the reading room, provided always that relevant copyright clearances are obtained and that the physical condition of the work permits copying.

The Library's Copies Direct service enables you to request photocopies of book chapters or articles and photographs. You may also ask about arrangements to microfilm materials.

Borrowing from us

We do not lend materials to individuals but you may borrow materials from us through the interlibrary loan system operating in your local library. Apart from individual journal issues, reference materials and rare materials the majority of the collection are available on inter-library loan.

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