2.3 Collection areas and subject strengths
2.3.1 Tasmanian
The Tasmanian Heritage Collection preserves Tasmania’s documentary heritage. Material is collected for its:
- Research value
- Historic associations
- Social and cultural significance.
The collection includes a state collection of published works such as Tasmanian publications, newspapers, ephemera and nationally significant heritage collections including the W L Crowther Collection.
2.3.2 Cultural heritage
The Heritage Collection focuses on collecting a broad range of contemporary and historical material relating to the cultural heritage of Tasmania and it’s peoples. The collection comprises of narrative, scientific and historical works, as well as a multitude of non-book formats. The general nature of this collection is primarily non-fiction. Access to this collection is either electronically or in the Reading Room or History Room at 91 Murray Street, Hobart.
2.3.3 Macquarie Island and Antarctica
Macquarie Island and the Australian Antarctic Territory make up part of the collection scope of the Heritage Collection. Items relating to Australians in Antarctica, and to polar expeditions departing from or transiting through Tasmania, are collected. Other Antarctic and sub-Antarctic material is collected more selectively, with the aim of maintaining authoritative general information about the activities of all countries in Antarctica.
2.3.4 Whaling and sealing
The collection focus is on items relating to Tasmanian ships and sailors, whaling in the Southern Hemisphere, and sealing around Australia and New Zealand. Material relating to these industries in other regions is acquired more selectively, with a view to understanding the global context of Tasmanian experiences.
The W L Crowther Library has a significant collection of material, including a substantial number of original log books, relating to both the whaling and sealing industries.
2.3.5 Tasmanian reserve collection
The Tasmanian Reserve Collection houses additional copies of Tasmanian items which are surplus to demand at the present time. These items may be required in the future to replace copies held in library lending and Tasmanian reference collections.
The Tasmanian Reserve Collection is stored and managed at 91 Murray Street, Hobart.
This collection is managed as a closed stack only available to staff.
The essential purpose of this collection is to fill gaps in library collections as they arise, not to replicate core ‘heritage’ functions.
Selection criteria for this collection is as follows:
- Up to five copies of Tasmanian reference items surplus to present demand
- Up to five copies of key works that are out of print or unusually difficult or expensive to replace
- Only items in good condition are retained.
2.3.6 Language
The Heritage Collection is predominantly in English and this is a consideration in the assessment of new material.
Non-English heritage material and publications in other languages are acquired selectively based on the documentary value and historical significance.