Manuscripts
See also alphabetical list of Manuscript Finding Aids
The Library's manuscript collection has over 5000 manuscript titles housed in secure, temperature-controlled storage facilities. The Collection contains unpublished material, such as letters, diaries, notebooks, speeches, field notes, transcripts of recordings, lectures, drafts of books and articles, research files and minute books.
The Collection includes the papers of individuals significant in Australian Indigenous affairs such as Joe McGinness and Aden Ridgeway, and of individuals prominent in Australian Indigenous studies such as W.E.H. Stanner, F.D. McCarthy and Father Kevin McKelson.
There are also records of Indigenous organisations such as the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (FCAATSI), single documents, such as diaries or archaeological site reports and small groups of documents, such as letters. The Collection also includes higher degree theses and the reports of recipients of AIATSIS research grants.
The AIATSIS catalogue, Mura®, provides basic information about manuscript titles but no information on items within collections. The main entry point is usually the name of the creator or original owner of the collection such as a person, a family or an organisation.
Manuscript finding aids, which are available for a number of the collections, provide more detailed information about the contents of the collection. Copies of the finding aids can be obtained from the Library if you are unable to access them online and copies are also held in the Library Reading Room for client consultation.
Donors and depositors of manuscripts stipulate access, copying and quotation conditions. These are given in the catalogue record and in some finding aids. While many manuscripts are available for reading by AIATSIS clients, in other cases conditions have been placed on the reading, copying or quotation of the material. In the case of collections with closed access, copying or quotation conditions, the Reference Staff will advise you on who to contact to obtain authorisation to access, copy or quote from the manuscript. Authorisation must be in writing and must be be signed.
If you are travelling to Canberra in order to use manuscripts it is important to ensure, before you arrive, that you can access them on the day. If you require permission to access any manuscripts it is advisable to obtain this prior to you arrival.
It is suggested that if you apply for access permission that you seek copying permission at the same time if it is likely that you will require it. This permission, as is that for quotation, is required from the Copyright Owner.
Reference Staff can assist you with the donor or depositors addresses and in identifying copyright owners.
The Library's manuscript material is deposited with the Library both for the preservation of the work and for the benefit of future researchers. On the whole, AIATSIS does not own its manuscript material and can not legally grant access or copyright permission on behalf of the depositor unless authorised to do so.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of materials, and any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source used.
When accessing the manuscript collection, readers agree to indemnify AIATSIS from and against any legal action or other like expenses incurred as a result of their use of the material for any purpose not authorised by the depositor and/or AIATSIS.
If you intend to use manuscripts you will need to bring and/or apply for a readers' ticket. When relevant material has been located in the catalogue or finding aids, you will need to submit a 'call slip' to the staff at the Reference Desk.
A staff member will retrieve the material on your behalf. Material is retrieved every hour on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The first retrieval is at 9.45 am and the last retrieval for the day is at 3.45 pm.
Anyone wishing to view manuscripts on a Tuesday will need to contact the Reference Staff to make special arrangements prior to their visit.
If you wish manuscripts to be ready for you prior to 9.45 please contact the Reference Staff before you arrive so that they can retrieved on the previous day.
A maximum of 5 items will be issued to you at one time.
Due to the unique nature of manuscripts they must be used in the Library and are not available through Inter-Library Loan.
A small number of manuscripts can be viewed in our Online Exhibitions
Laptops, tape recorders, pencils and bags
Lap-top computers and tape recorders are permissible as long as they are not intrusive.
Pencils only may be used for note taking.
Bags and briefcases must be left in lockers managed by the Reception Desk staff at the entry of the Institute.
Staff reserve the right to inspect reader's personal property upon entering or leaving the Library reading room.
See Using the Library for more detail about the above points and for more information about using the library.
As manuscripts are original and often unique, they are irreplaceable and therefore must be treated with care and respect.
When using manuscript collections, you must maintain the material in the same order as you find it - if you notice that items are out of sequence, please notify staff. Please do not rearrange the material yourself.
When using manuscript material, use a single volume or folder at a time, and then return this to the box before using another folder or item.
Do not lean on, or make notes on the top of any material.
Gloves will be issued where appropriate.
In some cases where the originals are fragile, you will need to use the preservation microfilm or photocopies instead of the original.
For a number of manuscript titles Manuscript Finding Aids, giving information on their contents, are available.
Phone us on 61 6 6246 1182
Fax us on +61 2 6261 4287
Email us at library@aiatsis.gov.au
Write to us at AIATSIS Library, GPO Box 563, CANBERRA ACT 2601
Visit us at Acton Peninsula, Lawson Crescent, ACTON (view a map)
