Donate to the National Library Fund

Donate
Where your contributions will go
Current projects and initiatives
Become a patron
Our Supporters

The National Library of Australia is the custodian of Australia’s documentary heritage – we share the nation’s stories and safeguard them for current and future generations. We develop and conserve our magnificent collections, including books, personal papers, drawings, paintings, photography, maps, objects and oral history recordings.

We invite you to join our community of supporters and become part of this important work by donating to the National Library of Australia Fund.

Donate online

Donate

Your contribution to the National Library of Australia Fund will make a significant difference to the work we do, and we are always very grateful for your support.

Donation form

Download a donation form or phone the Development Office on 02 6262 1336 to make a donation.

Where your contributions will go

The National Library of Australia Fund supports development, conservation and digitisation of our collections. Our valued supporters make access to information possible for Australians everywhere.

Current projects and initiatives

Donate

This year, we are seeking your support for two exciting initiatives: the digitisation of The Canberra Times newspaper, and the ongoing conservation and digitisation of the Library’s collections.

Help Us Tell Canberra’s Story: The Canberra Times Digitisation Project

Newspapers are the eyes and ears of communities and an essential information resource. Today, through Trove, over 9 million newspaper pages (or 90 million articles) from almost 400 newspaper titles are freely available to the public.

Join us in celebrating the centenary of Canberra—the city that holds the story of our nation and whose journey The Canberra Times has reported since 1926— by assisting the Library to digitise and make available online via Trove an additional 40 years of The Canberra Times newspaper. 

While the Library has already digitised issues of the newspaper published prior to 1955, we are now also able to digitise in-copyright issues after this date, by agreement with The Canberra Times. Through Trove, people will be able to search and browse across every page and article of The Canberra Times from 1926 to 1995.

With your support, we can enable a worldwide audience to share Canberra’s more recent history and its integral connection with national and international affairs: from the introduction of decimal currency to the dismissal of the Whitlam government, from Menzies to the moon landing, from Mabo to the Beatles. By providing online access to the nation’s stories through The Canberra Times we can create a lasting legacy for all Australians.

Support Our World-class Conservation and Digitisation Programs

Alternatively, you may wish to make a contribution towards the conservation and digitisation of significant items from the Library’s collections.

In the year ahead, donations to The National Library Fund will enable us to conserve and digitise books, personal papers, drawings, paintings, photographs, maps, objects and oral history recordings to ensure their longevity. In the lead up to the centenary of the start of the First World War, the National Library will digitise over 350 pamphlets relating to Australia’s participation in the war. We have also begun a five-year project to digitise albums brought home by Australian veterans from around the world, including Europe and Palestine.

From the Rare Maps Collection, the National Library has already digitised H. Percy Dove’s Plans of Sydney (c. 1870–1890) and the 1890 Royal Atlas and Gazetteer of Australasia. The Library will continue this important work in 2013, digitising a number of rare atlases from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

In the coming year, the National Library will also rehouse and undertake treatment of Australian opera director Moffatt Oxenbould’s manuscript collection, consisting of artworks, posters, photographs and personal papers. 

If you would like to contribute to the National Library of Australia Fund, you can donate online or download and return the donation form. Donations over $2 are tax deductible. 

Enemark and Proeschel digitisation projects

In 2012, two fundraising campaigns were launched by the National Library Foundation in support of conservation treatment for the Enemark collection of panoramic photographs and Proeschel's Atlas, Containing a Map of Australasia (1863) and Maps of Melbourne and suburbs (1919).

Patrons, Friends and supporters are invited to make a contribution towards the Enemark collection of panoramic photographs, for which the Library is aiming to raise $90,000 for their preservation, cataloguing and digitisation.

 Panoramic view of the main street in Katoomba, New South Wales, 1920

The Enemark collection of panoramic photographs was presented to the Library by Mr Angus McLachlan from John Fairfax and Sons Ltd in 1965. The work of John Enemark, a German migrant, and Hilda Bridges, who together formed E.B. Studios in 1917, includes panoramic views of Sydney and Canberra and significant cultural and sporting events, such as test matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the 1920s and Charles Kingsford Smith's trans-Pacific flight in 1928. The collection also contains views of major industrial and manufacturing sites, such as oil and steel works, electrical companies and automobile factories. Enemark documented numerous regional towns and newly released residential land sites in New South Wales, forming an important record of suburbanisation and the changing face of the landscape.

Due to the size of the negatives, some up to 3 metres, the images typically have a very high information value, documenting important historical details such as signage, architecture, fashion and much else in great detail. The images are of great value to researchers for documentation, publication and exhibition.

Currently the photographs are housed in the Library's off-site storage facility due to their fragility, prohibitive size and handling requirements. Consisting of over 450 photographs, cataloguing and digitisation of this significant collection will ensure that they can be accessed online by people everywhere.

Inside cover of Proeschel's 1863 Atlas

Proeschel's Atlas, Containing a Map of Australasia (1863), the first atlas to be printed in Australia, is the second project for which the Library is aiming to raise $50,000 to undertake conservation treatment and digitisation. Today, fewer than ten complete copies survive.

In the atlas are six impressive engravings of Australia and of the colonies of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, North Australia and South Australia. The maps were compiled by Frederick Proeschel (1809 - 1870), who began his working life as a Parisian upholsterer and mattress maker. Arriving in Melbourne in 1852, the enterprising Proeschel began an employment bureau in Little Bourke Street and produced simple lithographs showing routes to the gold diggings. Later he drew and published maps of Melbourne, Collingwood, Richmond, North Melbourne and Geelong. In 1859, he issued a more sophisicated engraved map of Victoria, which was updated and reissued several times. He also published maps of Hobart Town and Launceston, of New South Wales and South Australia, as well as the routes to the Snowy River goldfields. Using government maps supplemented by his own observations, Proeschel's hand-coloured engravings show a depth and richness in detail not seen on government-issue maps at the time and remain highly prized.

As well as drawing attention to this significant atlas by Proeschel, the Library hopes to further digitise a two volume work of Maps of Melbourne and Suburbs, published in 1919 which contains municipality maps showing local government boundaries, main buildings, and reserves. Both the atlas and municipal maps are a valuable resource for scholars researching published maps of Australia, as well as Victorian goldfields and early 20th century Melbourne.

If you would like to contribute to the preservation of the Enemark collection of panoramic photographs, or to Proeschel's Atlas, Containing a Map of Australasia (1863) and Maps of Melbourne and Suburbs (1919), please donate online, selecting your campaign of choice under 'Donation purpose' or contact Cathy Pilgrim on 02 6262 1141 or development@nla.gov.au.

Treasures Gallery Support Fund

You may also wish to donate to the Treasures Gallery Support Fund which assists with education and exhibition programs for our Treasures Gallery.

The Treasures Gallery opened to the public in October 2011 and already over 160,000 visitors have discovered its treasures. Made possible through the generosity of our supporters, rare and inspiring items, from James Cook's Endeavour journal to William Bligh's list of mutineers, from Patrick White's glasses to an original manuscript for Waltzing Matilda are now on display and able to be enjoyed by all. Both the Terra Australis and NLA to Z sections of the gallery are refreshed regularly with new content from the Library's vast collections, ensuring a new experience each time you visit.

Become a Patron

Our Patron program serves to recognise our most generous supporters through special activities and events on a year round basis.

You can become a National Library Patron by donating $1,000 or more. You can also become a Patron by giving regularly over time. All Patrons are acknowledged in the Library's Annual Report. All Bronze ($10,000), Silver ($25,000), Gold ($50,000) and Platinum Patrons ($100,000) are recognised on an Honour Board in the Foyer of the National Library.

With the recent support of our Patrons, the Library has conserved and digitised items from our maps and photographic collections. We have digitised many more regional newspapers from around Australia and in 2013 will digitise an additional forty years of The Canberra Times. Their support has also enabled the Library to build our education and events programs, and bring our impressive collections alive through the Treasures Gallery.

What some of our Patrons have to say:

"As a Petherick Reader, I wanted to contribute something to the Library and to support its efforts to conserve and disseminate its valuable materials and to show that ordinary people have a part to play in caring for the nation's intellectual resources." Dr Diana Carroll, a former Library member of staff and Petherick Room reader

"The National Library has done so much for me over the years. I felt that becoming a Patron was a way for me to repay in a very small way, the many benefits I have received over the years." Andrew Freeman, a Petherick Room reader

Our supporters

The support we receive from individuals and organisations helps the National Library to ensure that its collections are comprehensive and accessible. This benefits the whole community.

Whether it is directed towards projects like the Treasures Gallery, the digitisation of Australian newspapers, the conservation of collection items or the purchase of material for our collections, this generous support is invaluable and we appreciate it very much.

The National Library of Australia Fund, launched in 2009, helps the Library to manage, describe, preserve, digitise and deliver our documentary heritage collections to the widest possible audience, both online and from the main building.  

National Library of Australia Fund donors are acknowledged at the following gift levels:

  • Platinum Patron—gifts of $100,000 and above
  • Gold Patron—gifts of $50,000 and above
  • Silver Patron—gifts of $25,000 and above
  • Bronze Patron—gifts of $10,000 and above
  • Patron—gifts of $1,000 and above
  • Donor—gifts up to $1,000

The Library gratefully acknowledges the generosity and support of patrons and donors.
Listed below are patrons who have given to the fund since its inception in 2009 and donors who have given during 2011–12.

Silver Patrons

  • Dr Ron Houghton DFC and Mrs Nanette Houghton
  • One supporter has donated anonymously at this level

Bronze Patrons

  • Associate Professor Noel Dan AM and Mrs Adrienne Dan
  • Ms Jane Hemstritch
  • One supporter has donated anonymously at this level.

Patrons 

  • Dr Marion Amies
  • Arkajon Communications Pty Ltd
  • Mr Sam Bartone
  • Mrs Jennifer Batrouney SC
  • Mrs Phoebe Bischoff OAM
  • Mrs Josephine Calaby
  • Emeritus Professor David Carment AM
  • Dr Patricia Clarke OAM
  • Mr Victor Crittenden OAM
  • Ms Lauraine Diggins
  • The Lady Ebury
  • Dr Suzanne Falkiner
  • Mr Andrew Freeman
  • Ms Jan Fullerton AO
  • Ms Christina Goode PSM
  • Mrs Claudia Hyles
  • Ms Anna Katzmann
  • Dr Terry Kirk and Professor Joyce Kirk
  • Ms Marjorie Lindenmayer
  • Dr Jan Lyall PSM
  • Ms Janet Manuell SC
  • Mrs Vacharin McFadden
  • Mr Peter McGovern AM
  • Capt. Paul J. McKay
  • Ms Fiona McLeod SC
  • Dr Kenneth Moss AM and Mrs Glennis Moss
  • Ms Jane Needham SC
  • Mr Joh Oliver and Mrs Libby Oliver
  • Dr Melissa A. Perry QC
  • Mrs Pamela Pickering
  • Professor Alan Robson AM
  • Miss Kay RoddaProfessor Michael Roe
  • Ms Chris Ronalds AM, SC
  • Mrs Margaret S. Ross AM
  • Rotru Investments Pty Ltd for Mrs Eve Mahlab AO
  • Ms Anne-Marie Schwirtlich and Mr Stephen Yorke
  • The Reverend Garth Shaw
  • Mr William Thorn and Mrs Angela Thorn
  • Mr John Ulm and Mrs Valda Ulm
  • Mr Gerald Walsh MA
  • Ms Lucille Warth
  • Ms Laura Wells
  • Mrs Joy Wheatley
  • Mr A.G.D White OAM
  • Dr Michael W. Young
  • Five supporters have donated anonymously at this level 

Donors

  • Alexandra Club, Melbourne
  • Mr Kim Allen
  • Mrs Patricia Allen
  • Mrs Margaret Astbury
  • Ms Virginia Berger
  • Ms Baiba Berzins
  • Mr Udai N. Bhati
  • Mr Richard Blavins
  • Ms Emily Booker
  • Mr John Brook
  • Ms Allison Brouwer
  • Mr Willam Brown
  • Mr David Burke OAM
  • Associate Professor John Carmody
  • Ms Jennifer Carrington
  • Ms Marianne Cavanagh
  • Mr John Chapman
  • Mr Joseph Clarke
  • Dr Diana Wood Conroy
  • Mrs Mary Crean
  • Mr B.R. Crisp
  • Mr Edward Crook
  • Ms Debra Cunningham
  • Ms Merl Cuzens
  • Mr J.W. de B. Persse
  • Dr Bronwen Douglas
  • The Hon. Robert J. Ellicott QC
  • Dr Neville Exon
  • Mrs Helen Ferber
  • Mr Dennis Forte
  • Ms Saw Gaik Khong
  • Ms Milena Gates
  • Mrs Elizabeth Gilchrist
  • Ms Sylvia Glanville
  • Mr Harry Gordon CMG, AM
  • Dr Tom Griffiths
  • Mrs Sarah Guest
  • Justice Roger V. Gyles AO
  • Mrs Isobel E. Hamilton
  • Professor Margaret Harris
  • Mr Brian Hickey
  • Ms Sara Hood
  • Mrs Jill Hutson
  • Mr Paul Jones
  • Ms Joan Kennedy
  • Mr Peter Kennedy
  • Mr David Kennemore
  • Dr James S. Kerr AM
  • Dr Ruth Kerr OAM
  • Mr Gordon Kerry
  • Professor Wallace Kirsop
  • Ms Bron Kolano
  • Mr Geoff Ledger DSC
  • Ms Elizabeth MacDonald
  • Mrs Svetlana Manns
  • Mr Robert B. Mark JP
  • Mrs Margaret J Mashford
  • Emeritus Professor Isabel McBryde AO
  • Dr Ken McCracken
  • Dr Donald F. McMichael AM
  • Dr Stephen McNamara
  • Mr Rob Milliken
  • Mrs Mary Mitchell
  • Ms Marion Newman
  • Mr Robert K. O’Connor QC
  • Mr F K Overheu and Mrs Helen Overheu
  • Mrs Elaine Pearson
  • Ms M.E. Phillips
  • Mrs Cathy Pilgrim and Mr Steven Anderson
  • Mrs Winsome Plumb
  • Dr Peter Pockley
  • Mr Bryce Ponsford
  • Mr Chester Porter QC
  • Ms Gillian Pratt
  • Mrs Dorothy Prescott OAM and Mr Victor Prescott
  • Professor Emeritus Wilfrid Prest
  • Mrs Anne S. Prins
  • Dr Peter J. Puszet
  • Mr John Quaid
  • Emeritus Professor John Ramsland OAM
  • Mrs Elizabeth Richardson OAM
  • Ms Katherine R. Rivett
  • Mr William Rutledge and Mrs Julia Rutledge
  • Mrs Florine Simon
  • Mrs Aileen Sproule
  • Mr Peter Spyropoulos and Mrs Maria Spyropoulos
  • Mrs Helene Stead
  • Dr Jennifer Strauss AM
  • Mr Charles Stuart and Mrs Gay Stuart
  • Mrs Rhonda Thiele
  • Mrs Doris Thompson
  • Mr Sam Ure-Smith OAM
  • Mrs Sheila Waters
  • Ms Margaret Watts
  • Mr Kerry Webb and Mrs Judith Webb
  • Dr Auriol Weigold
  • Mr Doug Wickens
  • The Reverend Dr Robert S.M. Withycombe
  • Ms Helen White
  • Miss Helen Woodger
  • Twenty-two supporters have donated anonymously at this level

Treasures Gallery Support Fund

Individuals and organisations who contribute to the Treasures Gallery Support Fund help the Library to put Australians in touch with Australia’s greatest treasures and the story of our nation’s journey. The fund enables the Library to produce imaginative access programs, provide opportunities for exploring the Treasures Gallery online and respond to inquiring young minds by developing education initiatives based on the gallery.

In 2011–12, the following people generously assisted the Library to achieve these goals:

  • Dr Marion Amies
  • Mr Udai N. Bhati
  • Dr Desmond Bright and Dr Ruth Bright AM
  • Mr Robert Hill-Ling AO and Mrs Rosemary Hill-Ling OAM
  • Mrs J.M. Hooper
  • Ms Katherine Hunter
  • Dr Ruth S. Kerr OAM
  • Mrs Pamela Robinson
  • Dr Maxine Rochester
  • Mr Alan Rose AO and Mrs Helen Rose
  • Mrs Nea Storey
  • One supporter donated anonymously to this fund.