The Museum Archives and Research Library cares for the Museum’s institutional memory and its historic natural history book and journal collections dating from 1836.

The Archives

The Archives holds permanent Museum records kept because they are valuable for legal, administrative or historical research. The earliest records include the Minutes of the Committee of Superintendence from June 1836 and Outward Letters books from 1837.

Other unique records held include manuscript and printed material, letters, minute books, financial ledgers, field diaries, research notes, administrative and exhibition files, photographs, maps, plans, drawings and illustrations, newscuttings, audio-visual material and historical museum artefacts.

In addition to the Museum’s own institutional records, the Archives also holds some acquired papers and photographic collections from people who have been associated with the Museum or who have worked in closely related fields.

The Archives is open by appointment only on Mondays and Tuesdays. The Archives require at least 48 hours notice before visiting.

If you are contacting the Archives online, they will reply to your enquiry within three weeks. Please note that the Archives do not supply images for commercial use.

Enquiries: archives@austmus.gov.au

Postal Address:
Australian Museum Archives, 1 William St, Sydney NSW 2010

The Research Library

The Research Library holds one of the finest natural history book and journal collections in Australia, including over 5000 rare books. Established in 1836, the Library specialises in material relating to zoology, taxonomy, cultural collections, earth sciences and museology.

The Research Library is open on Mondays and Tuesdays, by appointment only. Please email to make an appointment.  The Library requires at least 48 hours notice.

If you need to make copies of material for research and reference, the Research Library have a photocopier and scanner available or you can bring your own digital camera.

There is also free wireless internet access available in the museum if you plan to use your laptop.

Enquiries: library@australian.museum

Postal address:
Australian Museum Research Library, 1 William St, Sydney NSW 2010