5.1 State Library
As part of our State Library function, Libraries Tasmania has responsibility for providing a multi-faceted library service with a collecting focus on materials about Tasmania, by Tasmanians and published in Tasmania. These collections and materials underpin equity, intellectual freedom and serve as the memory and expression of our society and culture.
Our State Library collection is made up of:
- Tasmanian Heritage – including Allport and Crowther Collections
- State Reference
- Community Archives
5.1.1 Tasmanian Heritage
The Tasmanian Heritage Collection includes a state collection of published works such as Tasmanian publications, newspapers, ephemera and nationally significant heritage collections including the Allport and W L Crowther Collection. Libraries Tasmania selects, acquires, preserves and provides access to materials relating to the history and development of the State. Further information on this collection is available in the Tasmanian Heritage Collection Development Guideline.
5.1.2 Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts and W L Crowther collections
Libraries Tasmania manages two significant donated collections:
- Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts (Allport) – Bequeathed from the late Henry Allport in 1965, a former prominent Hobart lawyer. This living collection contains Tasmanian colonial paintings, photographs, rare books, manuscripts, English and European decorative arts and furniture.
- W L Crowther Collection – Donated by Dr William Crowther in 1964 comprising his large collection of books, manuscripts, pictures and objects depicting Tasmanian colonial life and other subjects including medical and maritime history, anthropology, natural history and Antarctic exploration. A particular interest was the history of the Tasmanian whaling industry including logbooks, whaling tools and scrimshaw.
5.1.3 State Reference
The Reading Room at 91 Murray Street Hobart, provides access to an authoritative collection of non-circulating materials to provide answers to a range of questions. The State Reference Collection offers a collection of resources containing local, national and international perspectives that are current, authoritative, well-written and of enduring value, with a particular focus on Tasmanian and Australian content. Further information on this collection is available in the Reference Collection Development Guideline.
5.1.4 Community Archives
The Community Archives collection comprise of personal, family or corporate unpublished records. The material is selected for its research value, historic associations and social and cultural significance.
Material may include, but is not limited to, letters, diaries, minutes of meetings, reminiscences, maps, architectural plans, photographs, films, videos and audio recordings.
In most cases, items within this collection have been acquired as donations from individual Tasmanians and organisations such as community groups, churches, businesses and companies, political parties, trade and professional associations and sporting bodies. Further information on this collection is available in the Community Archive Collection Development Guideline.