Photocopying restrictions

The State Library reserves the right to refuse permission for copying if this is likely to damage the item. The Library will make the final decision about an item's suitability for copying.

Restricted items for photocopying

In view of the risk of damage, the following items may not be photocopied by Library users:

• Rare books
• Books published before 1900
• Books thicker than 8cm (3 inches)
• Books with large foldouts (maps, charts, etc)
• Books larger than A3
• Books which are bound very tightly and do not open flat (eg some paperbacks)
• Books which are badly damaged eg detached covers or spines, loose pages or plates, badly torn pages, brittle paper, damaged text blocks, shrink-wrapped items
• Bound volumes of pamphlets (where pages are of different sizes)
• Bound volumes of parliamentary papers, gazettes and debates (State and Commonwealth)
• Unbound ephemera (AAA files, theatre programmes, bibliography files etc)
• Items which must be read in the Heritage Collections Reading Room (except for some newspapers)
• Items from the Heritage Collections (Rare Books, Manuscripts, Pictures etc)
• Newspapers: bound volumes of newspapers, unbound Victorian newspapers more than 2 years old, unbound interstate newspapers more than 5 years old, unbound overseas newspapers more than 20 years old.

Alternative forms of copying

Alternative forms of copying are generally available. Where facsimiles, microforms or photographic copies are available, copies will be made from these. Library staff will be happy to explain these alternatives and make the necessary arrangements for a copy to be produced for you.

Copying services provided by the Library include Photographic Copying, and a Prepaid Photocopying Service for items that are not suitable for self-service photocopying.

If you wish to use personal copying equipment to copy Library material, see Copying using your own equipment, as conditions apply.

Certified copies

If you need certified copies for legal purposes, please inquire at an information desk.