National Library of Australia

Pictures digitisation - progress so far

Selecting material for digitisation  

General selection criteria for the National Library’s digitisation program can be found in our Collection Digitisation Policy.

The Library aims to digitise all new Pictures acquisitions and selected materials already in the collection. The selection is usually based on historical and/or cultural significance, uniqueness of, and likely demand for, the material. Copyright and preservation considerations are also taken into account.

Progress as of 30 June 2009

Approximately 17% of the currently estimated volume of the National Library’s Pictures Collection has been digitised. This amounts to 113 799 items, consisting of 180 911 images.

Examples of Pictures collections already digitised

Future digitisation plans

The Library’s long term plan is to digitise a projected 80% of its Pictures collection. The remaining 20% represent items which are lower priority or restricted by copyright.

All new Pictures acquisitions and a selection of other Pictures materials will continue to be systematically digitised, where copyright permits. SeeCurrent priorities for more details on the 2009-10 digitisation program.

Selective digitisation of items in the Pictures collection will continue to be undertaken for inclusion in the Library’s forthcoming Treasures Gallery.

More Pictures

Other online resources

November Curator's Choice

This image was recently identified as the only known vintage print of Roald Amundsen's expedition party honouring the Norwegian flag after arriving at the South Pole. Part of Tasmanian views, Edward Searle's album of photographs of Australia, Antarctica and the Pacific, 1911-1915.