Home    Research    Heritage Branch Library & Other Specialist Libraries

The Heritage Branch Library is an essential resource which makes available to the public a wide range of specialist heritage materials. It offers a wealth of information for anyone working in the conservation field or interested in heritage issues.

The major collection of over 9,000 items includes conservation management plans, heritage studies, thematic studies, Australian and NSW histories, heritage monographs and journals.

To visit the library, just contact the librarian, Libby Robertson, to make an appointment.
Email elizabeth.robertson@planning.nsw.gov.au or phone (02) 9873 8591 (Mon, Wed, Fri).

The library is a non-lending library, however a photocopier is available.

The catalogue is currently not available over the internet, but you can contact the librarian to undertake a search for you.

Open (by appointment): Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Located: Ground floor, Heritage Branch, 3 Marist Place, Parramatta.

Other Heritage Libraries in NSW

There are other specialist heritage and history libraries in NSW that will also be of interest to those researching heritage places:

Library Name	Collection	Address	Opening Hours
Heritage Branch Library	Conservation management plans, heritage studies, thematic studies, Australian & NSW histories, heritage monographs & journals, materials conservation	Heritage Branch 3 Marist Place Parramatta NSW 2150 Ph: (02) 9873 8591 Fax: (02) 9873 8599	By appointment Mon, Wed, Fri 8:30am-5:00pm
Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, Historic Houses Trust	Early colonial architectural history, 19th century domestic manuals, houses, gardens & interiors, pattern books, trade catalogues, samples of domestic furnishings (e.g. wallpaper, curtains) NOT local histories or house histories	Historic Houses Trust The Mint 10 Macquarie Street Sydney, NSW 2000 Ph: (02) 8239 2233 Fax: (02) 8239 2433 www.hht.net.au/research/cslrc	Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
Archive of the National Trust of Australia (NSW)	Collection primarily for Trust staff but available to the public by appointment: information & images of significant buildings, cemeteries, landscapes, industrial sites and movable heritage, National Trust properties, local histories, NSW maps, heritage studies and image collection of National Trust listed items.	The National Trust of NSW Watson Road Observatory Hill Sydney 2000 Ph: (02) 9258 0123 Fax: (02) 9251 1110	By appointment Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
Powerhouse Museum Archives	Materials conservation, trade literature, shop catalogues, images, museology, collected papers of individuals and records of organisations	Powerhouse Museum Archives are in the Museum’s Harwood Building Macarthur St East Ultimo Ph: (02) 9217 0533 Fax: (02) 9217 0433	By appointment Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
Vaughan Evans Library	Collection primarily a research library for ANMM staff but is available to the public by appointment: Australian history, maritime history, maritime archaeology. The image collection is managed by the museum curators, not the library.	Australian National Maritime Museum Darling Harbour The Library is located in Wharf 7 Maritime Heritage Centre, just a few steps from the main Museum building. Ph: (02) 9298 3734 Fax: (02) 9298 3730	By appointment Monday-Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm
RAHS Library	NSW local history, early Australian colonial history Legal deposit for projects funded by Heritage Branch (heritage grants) and the NSW Ministry for the Arts (cultural grants). RAHS cataloging includes local government areas for increased local history usage.	Royal Australian Historical Society History House 133 Macquarie Street Sydney NSW 2000 Ph: (02) 9247 8001 Fax: (02) 9247 7854	Monday-Friday 10am-4pm
NPWS Library	Aboriginal history and archaeology, cultural heritage management, history and management of national parks and reserves	NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Level 7, 43 Bridge St Hurstville NSW 2220 Ph: (02) 9585 6437 (02) 9585 6968	Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9:30am - 4:30pm Closed Wed
Parramatta Heritage Centre	History & development of Parramatta, local families & society, colonial history, council material, regional focus on Western Sydney, emphasis on family history	346A Church Street Parramatta NSW 2150 Ph: (02) 9683 6922 Fax: (02) 9683 5608	Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri: 10am-5pm Thurs: 10am-8pm Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm
City of Sydney Archives	Includes building application plans for City of Sydney from 1909, building application files from 1946, DA files from the 1950s, rate/assessment books back to 1845, a large collection of published material about the built environment including many CMPs and a large photographic collection from 1900.	City of Sydney 456 Kent Street, Sydney Ph: (02) 9265 9618 Fax: (02) 9265 9606 Email: archives@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au Website: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au	Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm Appointment essential.

City and Municipal Libraries
Most local libraries have a collection of heritage and historical material relating to their local government area. Contact your local library for further information.

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