Learn what is available and how you can find and access items in our Asian language collections in this webinar.

The Asian language collections cover a broad range of formats and focus on contemporary Asia from the 19th century onwards 

715 Chinese and Japanese books. Most date from the period 1911–1940, but there are some much earlier works. The main subject areas are Chinese art, epigraphy, archaeology and early history of the Chinese script. Other subjects include classical writings, Buddhism and Taoism, myths and legends.

Learn about National Library Fellow Professor Robin Gerster's research into the life of historian Harold S. Williams and Williams' historical research in Japan.

About 3200 books, pamphlets, serials, maps, newspapers and ephemera mainly related to Japan plus some works on China and Korea.

A vast repository of over 4,000 books, primarily in Chinese, covering history, culture, politics, and religion. Collected between 1950 and 2000, it includes rare texts from Taiwan and China, reflecting the richness of Chinese scholarship. 

Around 270 books, pamphlets and serials, mostly published in the Philippines 1900-1965 but also some items from the USA, Spain and Spanish-speaking countries.

The Library maintains a collection of Vietnamese language materials consisting of publications from Vietnam and Australian publications in the Vietnamese language.

This Collection contains around 150 Chinese books, including some very rare works. They cover a range of subjects such as Chinese history, literature, society, classics, philosophy and religion.

Hear from 2023 National Library Fellow Dr Mei-Fen Kuo about her research into the impact of Chinese cafes during the Cold War.

About 600 books with particular strength in anthropology, sociology and linguistics and largely related to Indonesia, and most are in Dutch, Indonesian, German or English. Some writings by Tobing, himself.

Learn about National Library of Australia Asia Study Grant Scholar Rima Febriani’s research exploring how ideas about sexuality developed in postcolonial Indonesia.