The Special & Rare Collections manages and provides access to the cultural and historical records of the University as well as private papers and records from individuals; families; local businesses; community, charitable and cultural organisations; and The Royal Society of Tasmania Library Collections. It consists of special and rare books and early manuscripts; journals; maps; university records of a non-business nature; and private materials including diaries, letters, photographs, paintings and other collectable ephemera. Some of the material from our collections has been digitised and can be viewed on SPARC and the Open Access Repository (ePrints).
The UTAS Special and Rare Collections and The Royal Society of Tasmania (TRST) Library Collections are located on Level 5 of the Morris Miller Library on the Sandy Bay Campus and may be accessed during Special & Rare opening hours by appointment only.
Take a virtual tour of Level 5
| Opening hours | |
|---|---|
| Monday & Wednesday | 10.00am - 4.30pm (closed for lunch 12.30pm-1.30pm) - please contact us by email to make an appointment |
| Tuesday, Thursday & Friday | Closed |
| Public Holidays | Closed |
| Make an appointment | |
|---|---|
|
UTAS Special Collections : enquiries and appointments |
Phone +61 3 6226 2243 Special.Collections@utas.edu.au |
| Royal Society of Tasmania (TRST) Library Collections : enquiries and appointments | Phone +61 3 6226 2243 |
| Postal address | Private Bag 25 Hobart 7001 |
When accessing materials from the Special and Rare Collections you will need to agree to and sign the conditions on the Consultation Form (PDF 253KB).
If you are considering using Special and Rare materials for commercial publication you will need to contact special.collections@utas.edu.au or phone +61 3 6226 2243
For Royal Society of Tasmania Library Collections material contact RSTLibrary.Collections@utas.edu.au or phone +61 3 6226 2243
The Rare Book Collection is housed in the restricted-access Rare Room. The Collection comprises books and journals, from a range of sub-collections including Christ College (part of which remains uncatalogued), Abercrombie, Baikie, Dunbabin, Franklin, Quaker, Royal Society of Tasmania, St John Fisher College, University of Tasmania and Walker; plus other donated or acquired rare materials.
Search the Rare Book Collections
- UTAS Library Search to locate Rare books and journals
- Manual indexes to the Christ College rare book collection are located in the Special & Rare Collections Reading Room
Access to the Rare Book Collections
Most rare materials are available for viewing and consultation in the Special & Rare Reading Room. We ask that you make an appointment before visiting.
The Royal Society of Tasmania (TRST) Library Collections are maintained by the UTAS Library. The Collections – some of which is held in the restricted-access Rare Room and some on the closed compactus shelves - comprises a diverse range of approximately 7000 books and 1600 journal titles, the oldest printed book (c1472) in Tasmania, early maps and many 19th century private family deposit collections. Its flagship journal, The RST Papers & Proceedings, is held in both paper and electronic formats.
Contact RSTLibrary.Collections@utas.edu.au for all Royal Society of Tasmania (TRST) Library Collections enquiries.
Search The RST Library Collections
- Index by subject (Excel 202 KB)
- Index by name (Excel 249.5 KB)
- Index to rare map collection & digital maps
- UTAS Library catalogue to locate The RST books and journals
- Scanned items from a range of The RST materials
Access to The RST Library Collections
Most of The RST rare materials are available for viewing and consultation in the Special & Rare Reading Room. Some materials may require access permission prior to viewing so we suggest you contact staff before visiting.
When accessing materials from The Royal Society of Tasmania Library Collections you will need to agree to and sign the conditions on the Consultation Form (PDF 253KB). If you are considering using TRST materials for commercial publication you will need to contact RSTLibrary.Collections@utas.edu.au
Access to The RST Library Collection of books and journals housed in the compactus on Level 5 of the Morris Miller Library is available 9-5 Monday to Friday (see Special & Rare staff or phone 6226 2211). Loan conditions, fall under the UTAS Library rules. Members of The Royal Society may borrow from the University Library as community borrowers. No fee is charged for Members.
| TRST Loan Policy | |
|---|---|
| Monograph (Book) | not for loan |
| Serials (unbound) | not for loan |
| Serials (bound) |
3 day loan period - The Royal Society members, University staff and postgraduate students only |
The Royal Society of Tasmania website
The Quaker (i.e. Society of Friends) Collection, estimated to be the finest collection of Quaker materials in the Southern Hemisphere, was transferred to the UTAS Library Special and Rare Collections in 1971. It consists of approximately 3500 titles plus a diverse collection of early Quaker family letters, photographs, diaries, Society of Friends minutes and other materials on religious and social matters by and of interest to Quakers.
Search the Quaker Collection
- Library Search to locate the Quaker books
- Scanned items from a range of Quaker materials
- Index to Walker family materials (an early Tasmanian Quaker family)
- Online exhibition Quaker Life in Tasmania
History of the Quaker Collection (by a former UTAS Special Collections Librarian)
Access to the Quaker Collection
Most Quaker rare materials are available for viewing and consultation in the Reading Room. Some materials may require access permission prior to viewing so we suggest you contact staff before visiting.
Access to the open-access titles of the Quaker Collection is available for ‘library use only’ on Level 5 of the Morris Miller Library, 9-5 Monday to Friday (see Special & Rare staff or phone 6226 2211).
Private Deposits Collection
The Private Deposit Collections include materials from private individuals, families, charities, organisations and local business records relating to the intellectual, cultural and commercial life of early Tasmania.
Collections include: Andrew Inglis Clark, Quaker families (Cotton, Walker, Backhouse), Dr George Fordyce Story, Archer , Boyes, Leake, Pink, Midwood, and many other special collections.
Search the Private Deposits
- Index by subject (Excel 341 KB)
- Index by name (Excel 678 KB)
- Index to names with explanatory notes (some items have been scanned)
- Scanned items from a range of Private Deposits
Access the Private Deposits
Most Private Deposit materials are available for viewing and consultation in the Special & Rare Reading Room. Some Private Deposits require access permission prior to viewing so we suggest you contact staff before visiting.
The University records include: an extensive staff and student photograph collection; photographic slides, glass negatives and lantern slides; UTAS Letters Patent; architectural drawings and campus photographs; newsletters and magazines; oral histories; calendars and other older records and ephemeral materials of non- business nature.
Search the University Records Collections
- Index by subject (Excel 148 KB) (reference number)
- Index by name (Excel 113 KB) (surname, date, occupation, topic, reference number)
Christ College Collection (a sub-collection within the University Records)
- Search by name (Excel 48 KB)
- Library Search (some rare items have been catalogued)
Many of the Rare Christ College books and manuscripts remain uncatalogued. Interested persons may like to view the exhibition From Manuscript to Print or the Library Open Repository (ePrints) collection of images
The UTAS photo collection (predominantly 1960-80s) remains uncatalogued.
The University Records Collections Materials are open for viewing and consultation in the Special & Rare Reading Room.
- Open Access Repository (ePrints) - Special Collections
- University of Tasmania Online Exhibitions
- Dr George Fordyce Story Collection
- Companion to Tasmanian History
- TAHO - Tasmanian Archives Online
- Tasmanian Historical Research Association
- Papers and Proceedings (Tasmanian Historical Research Association)
- East Coast Heritage Museum
- National Archives of Australia
- Tasmanian archives and heritage
- Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery
- Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery
- Military Museum of Tasmania
- University of Melbourne - Digital Cultural and Special Collections
- Australian National University - Rare books, special collections & manuscripts
- University of Sydney - Australian Digital Collections
- University of Sydney - Digital Collections
- View all of our archived online exhibitions
- View our more recent online exhibitions
Open to Collaborate
The University of Tasmania is committed to the development of new modes of collaboration, engagement, and partnership with Indigenous peoples for the care and stewardship of past and future heritage collections.
