Publishing items
The State Library of NSW does not charge fees to publish or use items from its collections.
The State Library of NSW rarely holds copyright in material in its collections.
It is your responsibility to be aware of current copyright law and applications. The Library will not be responsible for any costs or claims for infringement of copyright in relation to copies of images supplied to you.
The Library reserves the right to charge a fee if you wish to reproduce the whole item, such as a facsimile or transcript of an entire manuscript, pictorial item, book or similar work.
Read more information about copyright and reproduction.
How to arrange permission
- Print out the Permission to Publish form (PDF 88KB) if you wish to publish, or use, an image from the Library’s Original Materials Collection. Original materials include items from the manuscripts, oral history and pictures collections.
- Make sure that you accurately cite the call number/s, frame number/s or digital order number/s, title and artist/creator of the image/s you wish to use.
Failure to do so will slow the approval process. - Send the completed form to Permissions.
You do not need the Library’s permission to publish, or use, items from the Library’s Printed Collection. Printed material includes books, newspapers and journals. However, you may need permission from the publisher or copyright owner. See Conditions of Use.
Conditions of using the original materials collection
The purchase of a digital file or photocopy of an item from the Library’s Original Materials Collection does not entitle you to publish or use it.
If you wish to publish or use an item from the Library’s Original Materials Collection (eg: in a book, as merchandise, in a brochure, on a calendar or in a film), you must receive the Library’s permission.
You must have permission to publish each time you use an image.
If you do reproduce items from the Library’s Original Materials Collection, then you must abide by the following conditions:
-
All images must be credited to the State Library of NSW along with their correct locations:
- Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW
- Dixson Library, State Library of NSW
- Dixson Galleries, State Library of NSW -
To ensure that items can be found by other researchers, quote the source of the item that is reproduced, including the artist/creator, title, call number and the digital order number (if available).
-
Lodge a copy of any publication in which the image appears with the State Library of NSW.
The State Library of NSW rarely holds copyright in material in its collections. In such cases you must request clearance from the copyright holder and be able to present written evidence of this clearance to the Library before a copy of the item can be provided. Copyright holders may charge reproduction fees.
Conditions of using the printed collection
To publish or use items from printed material such as books, newspapers and journals in its collections:
- you do not need the Library’s permission
- you may need permission from the publisher or copyright owner. Copyright holders may charge reproduction fees. The State Library of NSW does not hold copyright in material in its Printed Collections.
If you do publish or use items from the Library’s Printed Collection, then you must abide by the following conditions:
- Copies, including digital files, are supplied from the Library’s printed collections for research and study only.
- Please check the copyright status of the printed item before you reproduce it. More information about copyright and reproduction.
- All images must be credited to the State Library of NSW along with their correct locations:
- Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW
- State Reference Library, State Library of NSW
- Dixson Library, State Library of NSW - To ensure that items can be found by other researchers, quote the source of the item that is reproduced, including the artist/author, title, call number and the digital order number (if available).
- Lodge a copy of any publication in which the image appears with the State Library of NSW.
You are welcome to copy material or order copies from the Library’s collections provided you meet the requirements of the Australian Copyright Act and any special requirements that may apply to material that is original, unpublished or culturally sensitive. Information on copyright provided by the Library does not constitute legal advice. If in doubt, seek legal advice before copying a work.
More information about copyright
