Coxen's Fig-parrot was named by John Gould to honour his brother-in-law Charles Coxen - the founder of the Queensland Museum. An illustration from Gould's monumental "Birds of Australia".

Museum Library

Ms Kathy Buckley
Mr David Parkhill
Mrs Megan Lloyd

Section

The Library began in 1876 with the purchase of Charles Coxen's private book collection. Through exchanging the Museum's publications with other institutions and through gifts and purchases, it has since grown into a large and comprehensive collection representing the broad subject interests of the Queensland Museum. There is specialisation in Zoology, Geology, Paleontology, Anthropology, Archaeology, Australian Ethnography, Museology, Materials Conservation, Aviation History, Queensland Social and Technological History and Maritime History.

Our current work

With a large, old and valuable collection, preservation activitities are a priority. While valuing the heritage of the past, we also use new technologies to support the programs of the Queensland Museum, particularly the research work carried out across all disciplines.

Significance

The Library holds much material not readily available elsewhere in Australia. We strive to make this accessible to researchers outside the Queensland Museum by participating in the National Bibliographic Database, maintaining a Document Delivery Service to other libraries and making resources available onsite by appointment.

Guide to the collections

Main Collections: Books (approx. 24,000), Serial titles (approx. 5,000 titles)

Special Collections: Rare Books and Expedition Reports (approx. 900 titles), Maps (approx. 2000 sheets), Queensland Museum Archives (chiefly correspondence 1888 - 1960), Scientific Reprints on specialised topics (approx. 10,000 items), Library of the Royal Society of Queensland (approx. 20,000 volumes), Parnell Collection on the Anthropology, History and Natural History of New Guinea.

The Library holds the Thomas Macleod Queensland Aviation Collection - an archive of documents, photographs and memorabilia relating to early Queensland Aviation. Persons represented include Bert Hinkler, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, R.S. Dallas as well as many lesser known pioneers. Contact us for inquiries.

Exchange Program

The Library exchanges the publication, Memoirs of the Queensland Museum with more than 400 institutions throughout the world. In return, we receive a range of research publications enriching the library's collections. We welcome approaches from prospective exchange partners.
Search the Memoirs of the Queensland Museum contents and abstracts.

FAQ

Q: Who can use the Queensland Museum Library?
A: While the library's main role is to support Queensland Museum staff, other researchers may visit by appointment and material is available through Interlibrary lending.

Q: How can I access the Library's catalogue?
A: Catalogue records are available through 'Libraries Australia' - the National Bibliographic Database maintained at the National Library of Australia. This database is accessed chiefly by Librarians. Direct access to the main catalogue is available on this site. Some special collection records are included.

You can contact Queensland Museum staff via our Inquiry Centre.
email: InquiryCentre@qm.qld.gov.au
phone +61 (0)7 3840 7555
or use the web contact form