Using the State Library Catalogue

Search the catalogue 

It brings together the State Library's published, archival, pictorial, and ephemeral collections in one search. The catalogue contains titles and details of:

• books
• periodicals and magazines
• newspapers
• business, society and personal archives
• film and video
• sound recordings including oral history
• maps
• electronic resources
• photographs and artworks
• selected theatre programs
• leaflets, flyers and advertising material for a variety of organisations, societies, clubs and other groups
• menus and calendars 
• references to articles and illustrations from selected South Australian periodicals and newspapers, and to chapters and sections of selected books and pamphlets.

These materials are held by or are accessible from the library. The catalogue gives information about collection locations within the building, or off-site, and item call numbers. It also indicates the issues and dates the library holds of periodical and newspaper titles.

Searches can be done across the entire catalogue or can be limited to particular categories, such as pictorial items (photographs, artworks and posters) or types of publication, such as magazines, journals and newspapers. Use the drop-down menu from the box on search screens with the label 'View entire collection' to access these options.

Accessing materials in the collection

While much of the material listed in the catalogue is available on the open access shelves in the general reading areas, items in other parts of the collection need to be requested from the library's storage areas via:

• the 'Request' button in the catalogue 
• by asking our staff at the Information Desk when you see "ASK AT DESK".

Heritage materials are delivered to the Somerville Reading Room, and to enter this room you'll need to join the State Library to receive a State Library card or apply for a temporary card. Temporary cards are issued at the Information Desk on presentation of proof of identity including your current address.

Learn more about the retrieval of materials from the collection, including delivery times and locations.

Full-text resources

The catalogue also searches to eResources available in full-text, especially full-text articles from over 13,000 magazine and newspaper titles. To access full-text articles outside of the State Library you will need to be a State Library member and a resident of South Australia.