Using the collection

Maps

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 reader services staff if you cannot find a map you want on the catalogue. Map indexes held in the Maps 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 Maps Reading Room

As a visitor to the Library, you will find map series indexes, gazetteers, reference books and atlases available in the Maps Reading Room. The rest of the Library's map collection is housed in onsite closed stacks so you may request material online through the catalogue using eCallslips. Materials can usually be delivered to the Maps Reading Room for you to used within 15 minues. Read about our collection delivery service for more information.

To request material from the closed stacks you will need to have regsitered as a National Library Reader and have a Library card. You can register online and collect your card at the Library or have it posted to you.

Map collection material may be able to be transferred to the Petherick Reading Room for use outside Maps Reading Room opening hours. Contact reader services 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 are sold as colour digital prints on photographic paper in A4 size (21cm x 30cm) for $35 and A3 size (30cm x 42cm) for $45, and high resolution TIFF or JPEG images on CD for $35 per image. Photographs of maps can be ordered in the Maps 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 Maps 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 Map staff.

How to get a photocopy of a map

Photocopies of material in the Map Collection are available for sale, subject to copyright restrictions and that the physical condition of the item permits photocopying. Photocopies are available as full size colour photocopies on bond paper or high resolution TIFF images on CD for $13.20 per map sheet. For colour photocopies exact colour reproduction cannot be guaranteed. Some maps may not be available for photocopying because they are too old, rare or fragile. Photocopies of maps can be ordered in the Maps Reading Room or online through Copies Direct.

Reproducing a map from the National Library in your own publication or website.

The National Library Map Collection does not generally require patrons to seek permission to reproduce items from its collection in publications or online. It is expected, however that any reproduction will be captioned so that users of the publication or website know what the item is, and that it came from the National Library. We suggest reproductions of our material be captioned at a minimum as follows:

“<creator’s name>, <title>, <map number>, National Library of Australia”.

While the National Library itself does not require permission to be sought to reproduce collection material, material that is in copyright is subject to Copyright restrictions. It is your responsibility to seek permission from, and fulfil any conditions set by, the copyright holder for any in-copyright items you wish to reproduce. The National Library is unable to supply copies of any in-copyright material until you present us with written authorisation from 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. Some categories of maps collection material, such as aerial photographs, gazetteers, rare maps and rare atlases, are not available for loan.

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