The Pacific Manuscripts Bureau was formed in 1968 to copy archives, manuscripts and rare printed material relating to the Pacific Islands. The aim of the Bureau is to help with the long-term preservation and accessibility of the documentary heritage of the Pacific Islands.

The Pacific Manuscripts Bureau is based in the College of Asia and the Pacific at The Australian National University. It is a non-profit organisation sponsored by an international consortium of libraries specialising in Pacific research. It is a rare example in the world of an ongoing archival project involving a high level of international cooperation and commitment.

The archive includes over 4,000 rolls of microfilm and related published indexes.

The Pacific Manuscripts Bureau copies records and documents which are at risk of loss or destruction or are difficult to access, including letters, diaries, notebooks; genealogies and other personal or family records; unpublished novels, stories, plays, poems, songs, music and drawings; grammars, vocabularies and dictionaries; mission and church records; plantation, mining, trading, shipping and other business records, including cooperatives; papers of political parties, trade unions, environmental organisations, women’s groups, youth groups, community associations and NGOs; papers of Pacific regional organisations; scientific, technical and medical papers; newspapers, newsletters and other serials.

Access can be obtained through member libraries: http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/pambu/accessing.php

Copying services for microfilms, digital materials and published indexes, guides and catalogues available for sale.