Research Library

Discover our historic natural history book and journal collections.

Monograph of the Paradiseidae or Birds of Paradise and Ptilonorhynchidae or Bower-birds / by R. Bowdler Sharpe.

The birds of Australia. Supplement / by John Gould.

Historia naturalis ranarum nostratium in qua omnes earum proprie

Voyage autour du monde : exécuté pas ordre du Roi, sur la corvette de sa majesté, La Coquille, pendant les années 1822, 1823, 1824 et 1825 ... / par L.I. Duperrey

The Research Library holds one of the finest natural history book and journal collections in Australia. Established in 1836, the Library specialises in material relating to zoology, taxonomy, cultural collections, earth sciences and museology.

Browse our Library catalogue View digitised Museum Publications View Australian Museum Journals

The Research Library is open on Mondays and Tuesdays, by appointment only. Please email to make an appointment - we require at least 48 hours notice.

If you need to make copies of material for research and reference, we have a photocopier and scanner available or you can bring your own digital camera.

We have free wireless internet access available in the museum if you plan to use your laptop.

Enquiries:

Email: library@australian.museum

The Australian Museum Research Library specialises in material relating to zoology, taxonomy, earth sciences, cultural collections, anthropology, and museology. The Library's collection is primarily made up of printed books and journals. This includes both modern material and rare books and journals.

You can use the online Catalogue:

to browse and search for information resources available in the library
to find links to relevant websites, databases, electronic journals, and online documents

The Research Library's online catalogue does not contain all material held by the library. Please contact the Library if you require assistance.

Visit the Library Catalogue

Contact the Library team

Library collection highlights

History of the Library

The Australian Museum Research Library collections form a major natural history resource in Australia.

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Rare books

The Research Library holds a significant collection of rare books. This collection is regularly used in the work of Museum scientists.

Library Guides for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Material

Discover our guides that help you research our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural material in the library.

Glossary
Access conditions
Collecting history and content

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Libri de piscibus marinis (1553-1555)

The story of the author of the oldest book in the Australian Museum Research Library.

Rare Books
Ichthyology
Guillaume Rondelet

John Gould

With the obsession of a collector and an eye for artistic talent, John Gould succeeded in creating one of the most recognisable and long-lasting brand names in natural history.

Legendary 'bird man'

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The Sarah Stone Collection

A fascinating collection of original watercolours by a talented female natural history artist.

Illustrations of objects from Captain Cook’s voyages

View collection

Book: Rare and Curious Specimens

An Illustrated History of the Australian Museum 1827 - 1979. Author: Ronald Strahan

Download the PDF

Australian Museum Magazine 1921-1961

The Australian Museum Magazine was launched in 1921 to satisfy the public's 'lively curiosity' about the natural world and cultures.

Australian Natural History (1962-1995)

In 1962 the Museum's magazine's name was changed to Australian Natural History (ANH) as it more accurately described the magazine's scope.

Stories

In 1827, Governor Darling on the recommendation of Macleay, allocated £200 to the establishment and running of a museum, the Colonial Museum, which was subsequently renamed the Australian Museum in June 1836. Discover more stories about our history.

Garden Palace survivors
Chusan Ball
Blaschka glass models

Australian Museum Archival images 200 Treasures

History of the Australian Museum

Find out about the history of the Museum’s zoological and anthropological collections, its historic and contemporary buildings and the people who have worked here over nearly two centuries.

Museum by the decade
Past exhibitions
Museum people