Digitising the Collection

The State Library of Victoria holds many important, rare and fragile items that record and reflect Victoria's history and culture. These items require careful treatment, storage and handling to ensure they are preserved for future generations. Because of this, access to many of these items is restricted.

Through a strategic digitisation program, which began more than ten years ago, the Library has converted many original heritage items into digital objects that can be accessed by users online in a variety of ways. Items include printed material, photographs, manuscripts, maps, sheet music, newspapers, audio recordings and more. Digitising activities are undertaken in accordance with the Library's Digital Preservation Policy.

What are the benefits of digitising collection material?

Preservation of original objects
Digital materials can provide all the information most users need, resulting in decreased handling of originals.
Increased access to the Library's collections
Users can access digital materials online and on demand, wherever and whenever they need to.
Increased utility for users
Digital materials can be delivered with relevant software and interfaces to provide added functionality and interaction unavailable in the original.
Increased efficiencies
Less staff time is needed to retrieve original objects and less conservation work is required due to decreased handling of original objects.

What is being digitised?

A range of Library items have so far been digitised:

Pictures

Over 200,000 images from the Library's Pictures Collection have been digitised and can be viewed through the Pictures Catalogue. The Library is committed to continuing this program of digitisation.

MMBW Melbourne Sewerage Plans

A large number of historical MMBW plans documenting Melbourne's urban development have been digitised. Available online via the Library's catalogue, these plans use a custom-built interactive application which allow users to browse through linked plans, zoom, pan and print plans, and view catalogue records.

Port Phillip Papers

A number of key historical Victorian manuscripts associated with the founding of Port Phillip have been digitised and transcribed. They are now accessible online through the Library's catalogue.