General selection criteria for the National Library’s digitisation program can be found in our Collection Digitisation Policy. Items from the books and serials collections can be selected for digitisation for the following reasons:
1707 books and serials, consisting of 46 779 images have been digitised.
In collaboration with Australian State and Territory libraries, the Library has commenced the Australian Newspapers Digitisation Program aiming to digitise Australian metropolitan and regional newspapers.
At a later stage, the Library will consider mass digitisation of Australian journals.
Only a fraction of the books and serials collection is expected to ever be digitised. This is due to a number of factors including the large number of items in the collection, likely demand for the material, and copyright legislation.
George Raper The exquisite paintings of First Fleet artist George Raper are featured in Betty Churcher's Hidden Treasures series, currently screening on ABC television. This beautiful picture is one of the 56 watercolours from the recently discovered collection of First Fleet art.