Mura® AIATSIS Collections Catalogue

Frequently Asked Questions



What is Mura?

Mura has been the name of the AIATSIS Collections catalogue since 1998 and is a Ngunnawal word meaning "pathway”.


What is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Biographical Index (ABI)?

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Biographical Index (ABI) is a personal name index to published material held in the AIATSIS Library. It contains over 65,000 records. The ABI is a primary tool of the AIATSIS Family History Unit for assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people research their family history.

How can I get access to material discovered in Mura?

Library Collections

The AIATSIS Library is a reference library. Material is not available for personal loan. An interlibrary loan service for published books and a Document Supply (photocopy service) are available. These are provided in accordance with Copyright and access conditions determined by depositors.

Other libraries may borrow books and request document delivery via the Libraries Australia Inter-library Loan system or by email (ill@aiatsis.gov.au) or fax (02-6261 4287). Standard ILRS code rates apply.

Manuscripts, pamphlets, rare materials and items from the Language Collection are not loaned at all. Copying of these materials depends on the Access conditions applied by the depositor, and the Copyright Act.

Photocopiers are available for visitors to do their own photocopying in our reading room.

For further information, please contact the Library on (02) 6246 1182 or library@aiatsis.gov.au

Audiovisual Archives

The collections of the AIATSIS Audiovisual Archive are not currently available online. You may request a copy of one or more items from the archives by contacting the Access Unit on (02) 6261 4206, via e-mail or by fax on (02) 6261 4281. If you are uncertain of which details to quote in your request, please contact the Access Unit for advice.

As the majority of the material held in the Audiovisual Archive is not owned by AIATSIS, it is often necessary to obtain permission from third parties before material can be copied. Additionally, if the material is to be published, we require that the relevant Indigenous individual/family/community be consulted. AIATSIS cannot guarantee that all materials will be made available to all clients, or that permission will be received within a set timeframe. For more information, please refer to Access to AIATSIS collections.