What you can find in the Library

We hold mapping not only for Australia, but for every country and ocean in the world as well as for all the planets. Many of our historic map series show contested or colonial borders; others were created to assist with joint military operations. We also hold large numbers of uncatalogued maps.

These maps may be standard topographic maps (showing terrain features), or may cover one or more themes, such as tourist information, roads, railways, geology, rainfall, soils, population density, etc.

Maps may be produced as:

• Individual (or single) maps of a country or region, each with its own catalogue record. These can be requested just like any other library material.
• Multi-sheet series. A series may include as few as 2 sheets (for example, covering the eastern and western halves of an area), or as many as several thousand sheets.

How to search, find and access items

Search the catalogue

Series maps may have a single catalogue record for the entire series.

To view or order copies of series maps, you usually need to specify which sheet(s) of the series you need. The catalogue record will provide this information in one or more of the following ways:

• As a listing of individual sheets, by name and/or number.
  • For example: Tubinger Atlas des Vorderen Orients [cartographic material]
• As an index map attached to the record, showing the full extent of the series, indicating in colour which sheets the Library holds, and demonstrating how the sheets are named or numbered.
  • For example: Myanmar 1:50,000
• Via reference to a printed or online gazetteer.
  • For example: [Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 second series] [cartographic material]

Using these methods, you can then enter the name and/or number of the required sheets into the online request form.

1. Search the catalogue
2. Select the catalogue record you want
3. Click Request
4. Click Select and log in with your Library account and submit the request
5. Complete the form, making sure you specify in the notes field exactly which map or maps you would like to view.

Maps and copyright

Maps are usually published items.

• Maps published in or before 1954 are out of copyright.
• Maps published in 1955 or later by a government publisher: copyright lasts for 50 years after the end of the year the map was published.
• Maps published in 1955 or later by a non-government publisher: copyright lasts for 70 years after the end of the year the map was published.

For further information, see: Rights and the Maps Collection.

How to order copies of maps

Once you have identified maps of interest, you can order copies of material using our Copies Direct service.

For further information, see: Copies and loans

1. If the item you wish to order is a single map:
2. Go to the catalogue record for the map
3. Click the red 'Order a Copy' button
4. Complete the online order form.

If the item you wish to order is a map within an atlas:

1. Go to the catalogue record for the atlas
2. Click the red 'Order a Copy' button
3. In the Sheet/Plate number field, specify the page or plate required
4. Complete the rest of the order form.

Get help with your research

Our specialist staff can help you with your research, to locate resources and use our microform and scanning equipment but they cannot undertake extensive or ongoing genealogical, historical or other research on your behalf.

Find out more in our Information and research services policy.

Ask a Librarian