Using the Collection
Manuscripts
See also: Find Manuscripts | What We Collect | Ask a librarian
Finding what you want
The manuscript
catalogue provides basic information about manuscript collections. The
catalogue also describes manuscripts in microform and higher degree theses. It
also has many entries for individual items such as letters or diaries, but not
for items within collections. In the case of collections, the main
access point is usually the name of the creator or original owner - a person,
family or organisation. To search for creators in a particular profession, you can enter occupation terms in the "Subject" search in the catalogue. Occupation terms used are listed in the Occupations thesaurus.
Where a collection occupies more than one or two storage boxes, there is frequently a list or guide which provides more information about both the structure and the contents of the collection. There are over 1000 such lists and all of these are available in the Manuscript Reading Room. The Library is progressively making these guides available electronically on its website and there are now over five hundred finding aids available online.
Using our Reading Room
If you wish to use the manuscript collection you will need to register as a manuscript reader using the Library's online application form. References are not necessary, but you will be asked to provide some proof of identity when you come to the Manuscript Reading Room and to familiarise yourself with the procedures of the Manuscripts Branch.
If you already have a National Library reader's card, bring it with you to the Manuscript Reading Room and we can amend your user details to allow you to use manuscripts.
If you have registered as a manuscript reader, you may reserve manuscripts for use in the Petherick Reading Room on Monday to Thursday evenings, and on weekends. Certain categories of manuscripts, such as restricted collections and treasures, are exempt from such arrangements. You may order up to three boxes for week evenings, and up to five boxes for weekends. You will need to submit your request for after hours use no later than 4.00pm, Monday-Friday.
Retrieval times for manuscripts
When relevant material has been located in the catalogue or finding aids, you will need to submit a call slip to the Reading Room attendant and material will be retrieved on your behalf by a staff member. Manuscripts are retrieved at the following scheduled intervals:
Manuscript Reading Room Retrieval Schedule
9.15am
9.30am
10.00am
10.30am
11.00am
11.30am
12.00pm
12.30pm
1.00pm
1.30pm
2.00pm
2.30pm
3.00pm
3.30pm
4.00pm (last retrieval for next day pre-retrieval and for evening/weekend Petherick Reading Room requests)
4.30pm
A limited pre-retrieval service is also available. If you would like to have a small selection of manuscript material ready to use in the Manuscript Reading Room on the day of your arrival, you should email the Manuscripts Branch by 4pm on the day before your attendance with your requirements. Please note that limited storage space means this pre-retrieval service must be limited to three boxes per reader, and your request may only be submitted on the day preceding your arrival. Call slips for additional boxes may be passed to the Manuscript Reading Room attendant during your visit in readiness for any of the above scheduled retrieval times.
One box is the maximum quantity that will be issued to your desk at one time.
Handling of manuscripts
Original documents are, of course, irreplaceable - and must be treated with due care and respect. Smoking, eating and drinking are not permitted in the Reading Room. When using the collections, you must maintain the material in the same order as you find it - if you notice that items are out of sequence, please notify staff, but please do not rearrange the material yourself.
Pencils only may be used for note-taking. Lap-top computers and tape recorders are permissable as long as they are not intrusive. Bags and briefcases must be left with the cloakroom staff on the ground floor. Staff reserve the right to inspect readers' personal property upon entering or leaving the Reading Room.
Every table has a reading stand. When using material, place a single volume or folder on the stand, then return this to the box before using another folder or item. Do not lean on, or make notes on the top of any material. Gloves will be issued for handling manuscripts of great value or antiquity. In some cases where the originals are fragile, you will need to use the preservation microfilm or photocopies instead of the original.
Access restrictions
Although a large proportion of manuscripts are available for use without restriction, in some cases the donor has stipulated that part or all of a collection may be used only by approved researchers; or is closed for a specific period. In the case of restricted collections, you will need to obtain written, signed authorisation from the donor. It is not possible to negotiate access to closed collections. Access conditions where restrictions apply are generally noted in the relevant entry in the catalogue or finding aid.
Copying
Within the limitations imposed by the Copyright Act, 1968, staff can undertake a limited amount of photocopying on your behalf, either for retention by you or for interlibrary loan through your local library. In either case, there is a limit of 200 exposures per reader. Copies of unpublished material may only be supplied for research purposes if the creator of the material has been dead for more than fifty years. Online orders may be placed using our Copies Direct copy request system.
If you wish to publish material from the Library's manuscript collections, you will need to obtain permission from the Library as custodian of the material, and then provide an accompanying citation to acknowledge the National Library as custodian. You will also need to obtain copyright clearance from any copyright holders. You should note that in signing a photocopy declaration form you are agreeing to use the copies for the purpose of private study only.
Borrowing from us
We do not lend manuscripts to individuals but you may borrow theses or copies of some material from us through the interlibrary loan system operating in your local library. Some rare or fragile items may not be copied for preservation reasons, and a limit of 200 pages per reader applies.
