The State Library of New South Wales' major subject strengths are Australian history, culture and literature, including Aboriginal studies, Antarctic exploration, family history and genealogy, business and management, social sciences, applied science, biography, health and law.

The State Library is home to one of Australia’s most significant historical and heritage collections. As well as nearly 11 kilometres of manuscripts – from nine 1788 First Fleet journals through to the archives of contemporary organisations and writers – the Library holds more than one million photographs. From the earliest surviving photograph taken in Australia – in January 1845 – through to digital photographs taken last month, the Library’s unrivalled photographic collections document with powerful clarity the way Australians have lived their lives over two centuries. You can find out more about the State Library's photographic collections on our website: www.sl.nsw.gov.au/about/collections/photographs.html

More broadly the Library’s collecting reach spans a multitude of platforms: the Library’s mission is to collect, preserve and make accessible the documentary heritage of New South Wales. It holds over 5 million items including books, oil paintings, watercolours, architectural plans, engravings & lithographs, magazines and periodicals, posters, ephemera, sheet music, talking books, maps, CD-ROMs, newspapers, microfilm and microfiche, films and videos, computer software, kits, sound recordings, photographs, coins, postage stamps and other objects.

As well as the images on Flickr Commons, Public Library Services staff have added images of public libraries to Flickr to provide ideas and inspiration for New South Wales public library staff who are planning changes to their libraries. These images will help with plans for renovations and rebuilding.

There are also two groups to enable public libraries to share images of their libraries with each other. One group is for New South Wales public libraries to add their images to, and the other is for public libraries from the rest of Australia and the world.

Follow us on Twitter @statelibrarynsw

Photos of State Library of New South Wales collection (5)

  • " Goteo sobre su propia Agua " by RaynnerAlba
  • B by Caterina Krcmarova
  • Twins by Caterina Krcmarova
  • Me by Caterina Krcmarova
  • Smiling2 by Caterina Krcmarova
  • Smiling by Caterina Krcmarova
  • Vittoria by Caterina Krcmarova
  • Charle's Bridge by Caterina Krcmarova
  • Baia del Silenzio-Sestri Levante by Caterina Krcmarova
  • Happy New Year! by Lady_Heron
  • loveliness by megnificent!
  • Wrestler by Julian Wigley
 

State Library of New South Wales collection's favorite photos from other Flickr members (14)

  • Archivald Fountain -Sydney by FFMENDOZA -AUSTRALIA
  • View along trenches, Russell's Top, Gallipoli, Turkey, 1915 by National Library NZ on The Commons
  • Soldiers in a trench, Gallipoli, Turkey, 1915 by National Library NZ on The Commons
  • 'At Auchmithie 1881'. Woman leaning against boat by National Galleries of Scotland Commons
  • 'At Auchmithie 1881'. Girl with basket sitting on shore in front of boat by National Galleries of Scotland Commons
  • Two women boxing by Powerhouse Museum Collection
  • Portrait of an articulated skeleton on a bentwood chair by Powerhouse Museum Collection
  • 2007 Powwow by Smithsonian Institution
  • Hell Fire Corner on the Menin Road; a sticky place that's always taken at the trot by National Media Museum
  • Supports going up after battle to relieve the front trenches, note the three observation balloons above the bright cloud by National Media Museum
  • "Gas." Australian troops with respirators on posed for the camera in the advance trench, Garter Point, 4th Division by National Media Museum
  • Soldaat met geweer die zich verschanst achter een liggend paard by Nationaal Archief
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Testimonials (1)

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    Duncan Allan Photography dot com says:

    "I wish to thank the State Library of NSW for making these images available so that we can see from the visual records history in the making.

    These prized treasures are a powerful reminder of the legacy that photography plays in the recording of the past and what a contribution the library has played archiving and preserving them for the future.

    As with any archive it's only as good as accessibility to it and this has been achieved with admirable success here.

    I look forward to the collection being expanded so that more images can be publicly seen and appreciated proving and invaluable resource for all to appreciate."

    4th October, 2008

Name:
State Library of New South Wales
Joined:
August 2008
Hometown:
Sydney
Currently:
Australia
Website:
State Library of New South Wales