Help

Newcastle Libraries provides research advice and access to materials about the history and heritage of Newcastle and the Hunter Region which is available to everyone. Our collection includes books, photographs, maps, archives and databases which can be accessed in the Library and from home. The links below can help you to access a range of our services and gain further assistance.

Ask a Librarian
This service allows you to submit online enquiries to our librarians, who can provide answers to factual questions or suggest resources that will help you find what you need. Would you like to:

Ask a new question
Check the progress of an existing question
Make a comment or suggestion

Donate an Item
The Local History Library is interested in a wide range of materials in all formats which relate to Newcastle and the Hunter Region, including:

Published and unpublished books and manuscripts
Family histories
Personal and organisational records
Photographs and artworks
Maps
Digital publications
Ephemera such as advertising posters and theatre programs

If you have material which you think may be of interest, please contact us on:

P: 02 4974 5330
E: [email protected]

Order an Image
Search Hunter PhotoBank for items held by the Library. Images are free to use from the website if they are for research purposes or private use. Please acknowledge the use of the photograph with: the title of the image, the image number and Newcastle Libraries Collection. For example: View of Newcastle Harbour (026 000098), Newcastle Libraries Collection. You can also order a copy of the front page of any local newspaper. This makes a great present for a significant birthday or to commemorate an event.

If you require higher resolution images or wish to use images for commercial use, please contact us on
P: 02 4974 5330 or fill out our online request form with your requirements.

Request an Item from Storage:
Some old and rare items from the Local History collection can be viewed in our reading room but they aren't available for loan. Items in the collection are held in our reading room, and some are held in our onsite storage, and some items are stored offsite.

We can retrieve items from the collection for you before you visit to avoid you having to wait. Simply check the catalogue to find the title you are looking for and note the author and title of the item. If you wish to order a journal or periodical, please specify the volume or issue number and the date of the publication. Then contact the Local History Library with the details on P: 02 4974 5330 or by using our online enquiry form.

Please note: Requests for archives require at least a week's notice as they are stored offsite.