The University of Queensland

The Fryer Library is a major repository of manuscripts and personal papers, especially Australian literary manuscripts, many of which are fragile, rare and unique.

The collection also includes books, journals, newspapers, maps, architectural plans, artworks, photographs, art gallery catalogues, theatre programs and ephemera, with particular strengths in Australian literature, history and political culture, theatre, art and architecture.

The Fryer Library acquires material through donation and purchase. Offers of material and donations from members of the public are welcome, including donations made under the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program.

To protect items from damage or loss, users are requested to read and follow the Use of Fryer Library Materials Guidelines. Staff will be happy to assist with any questions about the guidelines.

To find what you want, you may need to use a combination of strategies:

Search the Library Catalogue.
Most manuscript catalogue records are on the Library's online catalogue.

Consult a Manuscript Listing.
Many catalogue records for manuscripts will indicate that an inventory or listing is available. These listings give a more detailed description of the contents of manuscript collections than a catalogue record can provide. Many are available on the web and can be found by clicking on the appropriate part of the Catalogue record. Others are in print format only, but can be consulted whilst in the Fryer Library. Ask at the Information Desk.

The first step is to register as a manuscript user. You can do this by filling out a registration form at the Fryer Library Information Desk. Special collections such as manuscripts, architectural plans, maps, ephemera and artworks are kept in closed access storage. Library staff will retrieve the items you request and deliver them to the Reading Room. To avoid delays, you can request material any time in advance of your visit by:

Telephone: 07-33656276, or   Email: fryer@library.uq.edu.au or,  In person: at the Fryer Library Reading Room Information Desk

A small number of collections have some restrictions on their use. In some cases the donor stipulates that part or all of a collection may only be used by approved researchers, or that it is closed for a specified period. It is advisable to check in advance, with the Fryer Library, on the access conditions applying to manuscripts you wish to consult.

Telephone: 07-33656276   Email: fryer@library.uq.edu.au

The Fryer Library is open to everyone and welcomes all researchers to examine its collections.
Some of the Fryer Library’s materials in the collection are often old, fragile, valuable and irreplaceable, and must be treated exremely carefully. You will be asked to wear gloves when handling valuable, old or fragile material and to use a pencil if taking notes. We ask that you follow a few general procedures, such as registering your details as a researcher before consulting material and using material in the areas provided in the reading room. Any special rules about handling the material will be explained to you by the library staff.

There is a seperate area in the Reading Room for the consultation of the microform collection, as well as the Archive CD Books Collection - a digital archive of hundreds of early Australian references.

Fryer Library materials are not available for loan to individuals.

If you wish to photocopy any material from Fryer library, you must first check with the staff at the desk. Some categories of material such as manuscripts, photographs, architectural plans and very old or fragile books, cannot be copied at the public photocopier. In these instances it may be possible for the staff to arrange copying or reproduction of the material. Please also see the Schedule of Charges 

The Fryer Library provides printing and copying facilities on Level 4 in the post-graduate study area. There is an automatic card dispensing machine on Level 2 of the Library, Duhig Building where copy cards can be purchased and value added to existing cards.

All Copying is Subject to Copyright Restrictions.

Copyright protection varies according to the type of material being protected. Researchers who require copies must complete an Application for Reproduction of Fryer Library Collections  which includes a copyright declaration for the purpose of ensuring that the researcher’s copy is used only in a manner consistent with the approval.

Listed below is a selection of material held in the Fryer Library and the general period of their protection by the Copyright Act.

• Published Works: including books, journal articles, plays, poems and artistic works such as photographs, engravings and drawings (including maps, charts and plans)
  Life of the author, plus 70 years
• Unpublished Works: including manuscript material such as letters, diaries, papers and typescripts
  Copyright subsists until 70 years after first publication, although 50 years after the death of the author reproductions may be made for research or study purposes (or with a view to publication). Requests outside these parameters will require the permission of the copyright owner.
• Unpublished Photographs and Drawings: including maps, charts and plans
  Copyright subsists until 70 years after the death of the author, although 50 years after the death of the author reproductions may be made for research or study purposes (or with a view to publication). Requests outside these parameters will require the permission of the copyright owner.

The information supplied here is provided as guidance only and does not constitute expert legal advice. If in doubt, always assume that a work is in copyright and seek legal advice before reproducing it. The Australian Copyright Council produces useful copyright fact sheets.

The Library seldom holds copyright for the many types of material in its collections. Library staff will be happy to assist you, if they can, in determining the copyright status of material in the collections. However it is your responsibility to obtain permission from the copyright holder before reproducing an item in any way. The Library must receive written proof of copyright permission before we can supply a copy of the item for you.

Although rare printed and original materials, particularly photographs, may have fallen out of copyright, permission must still be sought from the Library before reproducing them and a fee may be charged for use. Please see the Schedule of Charges .

Payments can be made at the Loan Enquiries Desk, Level One, Social Sciences and Humanities Library, Duhig Building. You can pay by cash, EFTPOS, credit card or cheque (made payable to The University of Queensland). You can also pay by credit card over the telephone by calling 3365 6629.

A correct citation of manuscript material should contain, in the following order:

For manuscripts from a collection:

• The name of the specific item (this may include author/title or details of correspondents)
• The name of the collection
• The number of the collection
• The box number
• The folder number (if applicable)
• The full name of the library (Fryer Library, University of Queensland Library)

Example: Thomas Keneally, ‘Research notes on armistice’, Papers of Thomas Keneally, UQFL 12, Box 1, Folder 1, Fryer Library, University of Queensland Library

For manuscript items(that do not belong to collections):

• the name of the item (author, title)
• The number of the item
• The full name of the library (Fryer Library, University of Queensland Library)

Example: Thomas Graham, Log book of H.M.S. Warspite, F431, Fryer Library, University of Queensland Library.