About our collections

​​Our collections aim to

• Stimulate the imagination
  
• Support literacy development
  
• Provide enjoyment, relaxation and entertainment
  
• Include a wide range of knowledge and information
  
• Specialise in Tasmanian material
  

Tasmanian, reference and lending collections

We hold three main collections:

• Tasmanian heritage
  
• General reference
  
• Lending
  

Meeting the needs of the Tasmanian community

We manage our collections to meet changing community needs. Most items are in English but we do hold some items in other languages to meet community need.   

A long-term legacy for all Tasmanians

We preserve the Tasmanian community's memory by collecting and maintaining records of

• People
  
• Events
  
• Government
  
• Businesses
  
• Organisations

for future access, study and enjoyment.

Accessible information and resources

We support the policy of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) on free access to information.  That is, 'freedom can be protected in a democratic society only if its citizens have unrestricted access to information and ideas'.  ALIA's policy is in accord with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

We provide access to the collections

• in the Hobart Reading Room​
  
• at urban and regional libraries
  
• via branch libraries
  
• online
  
• via the document delivery service
  
• remotely for online resources
  

Inclusive of a wide range of beliefs and ideas

We provide access to information that is inclusive of a diverse range of beliefs and ideas.  We contribute to informed debate by selecting materials that express different

• views
  
• opinions
  
• ideas
  
• beliefs
  

We comply with the National Classification Scheme decisions.  We do not remove or restrict physical collection materials that some clients find offensive.

We take seriously all requests to remove online material. In assessing requests we consider whether:

• the material is defamatory under Australian law, or is subject to a suppression order
• the material contains sensitive information about someone who is still alive, and making that information publically available online puts them at risk of serious harm
• access is consistent with copyright law
• access is consistent with wishes expressed by the donor
• access is consistent with the guidelines for collaborative practice between Libraries and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
• taking down the material would contradict democratic principles of unrestricted access to information and ideas.
  

This is in keeping with the National and State Libraries Australasia's statement and procedure on takedown.

If we are unable to provide you with a service or help you access resources we will

• give you a reasonable explanation and
  
• advise you of an alternative, if possible.

A wide range of formats

Our collections include

• books
  
• eBooks
  
• journals
  
• government records
  
• manuscripts
  
• films
  
• photographs
  
• sound recordings
  
• works of art
  
• maps
  
• plans
  
• web sites
  
• ephemera
  

Part of a national network of libraries

We are part of a network of libraries cooperating in the delivery of information.  This network includes:

• universities
  
• public libraries
  
• government departments
  
• the National and State Libraries of Australasia (NSLA)
  

We support a nationally distributed library collection.  This helps to rationalise and improve access to information and items for all Australians.

Ongoing innovation to improve access

Inspired by the Re-imagining Libraries Project, we

• pursue innovative and collaborative collections
  
• improve collection access and service delivery to clients
  
• increase access to digital collections
  
• use RFID technology (learn more about RFID)
• enhance access to print based collections available
  
• onsite
• offsite
• by document delivery and interlibrary loan activities for our clients​