Using the Collection

Pictures

See also: Find Pictures | What We Collect | Ask a librarian

Finding What You Want

All the original works of art and many of the photographs in our Pictures collections are listed in the Pictures Catalogue. Digital images of more than 83,000 of the works in the Library's collection, including original works and photographs, are included in the Pictures Catalogue. Some caption lists of selected Pictures collections are also available. You can also explore the Pictures Collection online through articles and essays. To search for Pictures items relating to people in a particular profession, you can use the "Occupation" search in the National Library online catalogue. Occupation terms used are listed in the Occupations thesaurus.

Most of the oil paintings in the Pictures Collection are illustrated in the book entitled: A catalogue of oil paintings in the Pictorial Collection of the National Library of Australia, 1988.

Using the Pictures Reading Room

A large number of photographs are on open access in the Pictures Reading Room and you may browse through these. For other items, staff in the reading room will retrieve the material on your behalf. It is advisable to make an appointment in advance if original works of art are needed.

You may reserve images for use in the Petherick Reading Room on Monday to Thursday evenings, and on weekends when the Pictures Reading Room is closed. Certain categories of pictorial material, such as fragile items, oil paintings, large items and treasures, are exempt from such arrangements. You may order up to 20 items for each evening or weekend. Requests for after-hours use of material should be submitted with 24 hours notice to the Pictures Reference Librarian.

Copying and Photography

How to Order a Photographic Copy of an Item

Photographic copies of works in the Pictures Collection are available, subject to copyright restrictions. Photographs are provided as digital copies (on CD ROM, email or FTP) or colour digital prints. For some pictures, black and white prints and colour transparencies are also available. Negatives are not available. You may order photographic copies of works by locating the item on the Pictures Catalogue and following the 'order' (ie Copies Direct) link, on the top left of the record screen. If you would prefer to use a paper form please contact the Pictures Branch or use the multiple item order form (see below). The price list is available online.

Information on the technical quality of photographic copies, and advice on colour management is available on this website.

For multiple item orders please print out and complete the paper-based form available as a PDF document. Please fax the order form to (61)02-6273 5763 or post to the Pictures Branch, National Library of Australia, Canberra, ACT 2600.

Payment options are by cheque (in Australian dollars), credit card or cash (through the Pictures Reading Room).

How to get the Library's Permission to Reproduce an Item

If you wish to reproduce a picture in a book, assignment, website, merchandise (e.g. calendar), film or in any other format you will need written permission from the Library to do so. Requests for permission to either publish material or include it in a film or video may be made by completing and forwarding an application form to the Library. Forms are available by either contacting the Pictures Branch or by downloading the appropriate form from this web site. Forms are available in Word, PDF and RTF (Rich Text Format) for your convenience.

Request for Permission to Publish Material from the Pictures Branch of the National Library Word RTF PDF
Request for Permission to include Material from the Pictures Branch of the National Library in a film/video Word RTF PDF

If the work is still in copyright you will need to obtain permission to reproduce it from the copyright holder in print format (a fax or email is acceptable). The Pictures Branch will be able to assist you by giving you the name and address of the copyright contact.

How to get photocopies

Photocopies of some photographs are available. If you are unable to visit the Library yourself you may send us a list of items for which photocopies are required. The Pictures Branch is happy to provide copies of photographs for up to twenty items. If more than twenty items are required, please place an order with the Library's Copies Direct service, or visit the Pictures Reading Room or you may be able to employ a local researcher.

How to Arrange to Film Items

The Pictures Branch allows movie film producers to film items when a 'still' is not sufficient, providing the conditions outlined in our Conditions to Film are met. We require 24 hours notice prior to filming. Please contact the Pictures Reference Librarian to make arrangements. An hourly fee applies.

How to Arrange to Photograph Items

You may photograph some material in the Pictures Collection with your own camera. In deciding whether to permit this, the Pictures Librarian will take into account the extent to which the material is rare, fragile or vulnerable, whether suitable surrogate copies exist or can be made easily by the Library's photographers, and whether any Copyright or special access restrictions have been met. If the Pictures Librarian decides that you must photograph the material under staff supervision, an hourly fee will apply. If staff supervision is not needed, no fee will apply. Further information on the conditions you must meet if you wish to use your own camera is available.

Borrowing a Picture

Material in the collection is rare and often unique and so we do not lend items to private individuals either directly or by interlibrary loan.

Many of the works are however available for loan to organisations and institutions (in Australia and overseas) that wish to exhibit them publicly for short periods.

All loan requests should be made in writing to Ms Jan Fullerton, Director-General of the National Library of Australia. Borrowers must submit a suitable facilities report covering the climate control conditions and security of their venue. These provisions must be to the satisfaction of the National Library in order for the loan to be approved. Loan requests require at least 12 months notice and have a cost recovery fee of $150 per item. Items with less than 12 months notice may not be approved. If considered, items requested with less than 12 months notice attract a recovery of $300 per item. Packing and crating costs are borne by the borrower. Insurance and transport must be arranged by the borrower.

Our Conditions of Loan provides further details of the Library's policy for lending. Please contact the Exhibitions Loans Officer for further information on (02) 6262 1148 (or +61 2 6262 1148)

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