The National Library of Australia in Canberra is the country's largest reference library with more than 10 million items.
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Australia’s National Library has an ambitious mission: to assemble a complete collection of Australian published work.
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From romance novels to historical inquiry, the National Library is legislated to preserve every published word for future generations to find.
The National Library recognises that this encompasses more than works by established authors. It includes hidden gems, community newsletters and independently published works.
To achieve this goal, the National Library is reaching out to publishers, authors and the public, urging them to contribute their publications that may be missing from the national collection.
“Our shelves (both physical and digital) are filled with treasures,” Lynda Carmody from the library’s Legal Deposit team said.
“In order to continue to build a collection that is inclusive, diverse and reflective of all Australian experiences, we need to ensure that Australians know about the obligation and opportunity to have their published works preserved for future generations through legal deposit,” she said.
“This is especially true when it comes to independent publishers who are a little harder to reach.”
‘Legal deposit’ has been a legal requirement in Australia for more than 100 years.
Publishers (who may be a person, a group or an organisation) must submit one copy of every publication to the National Library.
This includes books, newspapers, electronic publications and more — works that have been made available to the public, for free or for sale.
Legal deposit collections form a diverse and inclusive picture of the nation and capture what we are thinking, imagining and writing about over time.
There are more than 10 million items in the National Library’s collection.
The library wants to continue to build this comprehensive resource for all Australians to enjoy.
“The National Library relies on authors and publishers’ contribution to fulfil our mission,” said.
“They help us build an invaluable resource which preserves and makes accessible Australia’s cultural heritage.”
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