Our reference collections support the information needs of Tasmanians for learning, growth and enjoyment.
A wide range of Tasmanian, Australian and selected international resources
Our reference collections
- Give Tasmanians free and equitable access to information
- Provide national and international perspectives
- Keep information of enduring value
- Provide current, authoritative and well-written information
The collections include
- What we own
- What we subscribe to
- What we access via other libraries
The collections include
- Books
- Newspapers, magazines
- Maps
- Electronic resources
Clients can access reference information on site, online or on request. They cannot generally borrow items, but can access some items sent to their home library. Clients access our reference collections
- In the Hobart Reading Room
- In urban and regional LINCs and branch libraries
- Online and/or remotely
- Via the document delivery service
We increasingly provide access to information resources electronically rather than in print format. Online information allows
- 24/7 access from anywhere in the state
- Better access to current information
- Enhanced searching
We select items that
- Meet the needs of current clients
- Support formal learning but do not aim to include technical, academic or professional works or text-books.
- Provide future historians and clients with valuable social history and cultural information.
We have moved from building and retaining collections just in case they are needed to an approach informed by how people use our collections. Our general reference collections may not meet every client's specific needs, so we provide ways to connect clients to information held by other organisations by referral and document delivery. We collaborate with other collecting institutions and individuals through the National and State Libraries of Australasia (NSLA) to manage and share content.
Related documents and further information