Using the Collection
Maps
See also: Find Maps | What We Collect | Ask a librarian
Finding What You Want
While much of our collection is listed in the catalogue not all of the collection has been catalogued and you should also consult with Map staff. Map indexes held in the Map Reading Room provide information about sheets available in our map series, particularly for overseas areas, some of which have not been catalogued. There is an online guide to our cadastral maps and aerial photographs and we are working on projects to make more guides to our map collection accessible online.
Using the Map Reading Room
As a visitor to the Library, you will find gazetteers, map series indexes and atlases available in the Map Reading Room. The rest of the Library's map collection is housed in closed stacks but you may request material either by completeing a written call slip in the reading room or by enquiring directly of the Map staff.
All researchers wishing to access the collection are welcome in the reading room. However, we require proof of identification such as a drivers licence, student ID card or NLA Readers Card before allowing access to the rare (pre-1900) map and atlas collections. Only four rare maps and/or atlases will be issued per reader at any one time. Records are maintained of all rare cartographic use.
Map materials may be able to be transferred to the Petherick Reading Room for use outside Map Reading Room opening hours, at the discretion of the Map Curator. Contact Map staff to arrange this before 4pm Mondays to Thursdays and before 3pm Fridays.
Copying and Photography
How to get a photographic copy of a map
Photographic copies of material in the Map Collection are available for sale, subject to copyright restrictions. Photographs sold are as A4 (21cm x 29.7cm) and A3 (29.7cm x 42cm) colour digital prints on photographic paper, and high resolution TIFF or JPEG images on CD. Photographs of maps can be ordered in the Map Reading Room or online through Copies Direct. Alternatively print out the paper based form available as a PDF document, then fax the completed form to 02 6262 1653 or post to the Map Section, National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Canberra ACT 2600.
It is possible to photograph or scan some map material with your own camera or scanner. Personal photography and scanning is subject to preservation and copyright restrictions and can only be done through prior arrangement with the Map Curator.
How to get a photocopy of a map
Photocopies of material in the Map Collection are available for sale, provided that relevant copyright restrictions are met and that the physical condition of the work permits copying. Black and white and colour photocopies up to A0 size (84.1cm x 118.9cm) are available. Some maps may not be available for photocopying because they are too old, rare or fragile. Photocopies of maps can be ordered in the Map Reading Room or online through Copies Direct.
How to get the Library's Permission to Reproduce an Item
If you wish to reproduce a map in a book, website, display, merchandise, film or any other format you will need written permission from the Library to do so. Requests for permission to publish material may be made by completing and forwarding an application to the Library. Forms are available from the Map Section or by downloading from this website. Forms are available in Word, PDF and RTF (Rich Text Format).
| Request for Permission to Publish Material from the Map Section of the National Library | Word | RTF |
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If the work is still in copyright you will first need to obtain permission to reproduce it from the copyright holder. Map staff may be able to assist you by giving you contact details for the copyright holder.
Borrowing a Map
We do not lend cartographic materials to individuals but you may borrow some material through the interlibrary loan system operating in your local library. Most modern maps and atlases in the collection are available on inter-library loan. Aerial photographs, gazetteers, rare maps and rare atlases, microform material and fragile items are not available for loan.
