In the library's centre are two long wooden tables with wooden chairs. The back wall features seven shelves that are filled with books. A window and a set of archive drawers are in the corner of the room.
RAHS Home > Library Overview

Library Overview

The C.H. Bertie and Hugh Wright Memorial Library contains a valuable research collection of more than 60,000 items on Australian history. The collection includes publications, photographs, manuscripts, press clippings, ephemera, maps, journals, newsletters of our affiliated societies, a complete set of the Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society, Sands Directories and the NSW Statistical Registers.

Opening Hours

We currently have visitor restrictions in place. Please contact us before planning a library visit.

Location

Royal Australian Historical Society, First Floor, History House, 133 Macquarie Street, Sydney.

Research Enquires

RAHS Librarian, Donna Newton

Phone: (02) 9247 8001

Email: library@rahs.org.au

Donations

The library collection of the Royal Australian Historical Society is the result of over a hundred years of acquisition and donation of materials by our members, publishers and authors, grant recipients and the public.

If you wish to donate to our library, please contact the RAHS Librarian during office hours. Donations may need to be assessed by the RAHS Library Committee to ensure they are suitable for our collection and can be appropriately housed and managed by the Society.

Library Access Fees

RAHS Members and Members of RAHS Affiliated Societies – Free

Non-Members – $5.50 per day

Computers and Internet Access

Visitors to the library are welcome to use the internet via our computers or complimentary Wi-Fi service. Computers are available for accessing the library’s databases, the internet and Ancestry.com. Our Apple Mac computers have been installed with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel). Colour and black and white printing is available for a fee.

Publications and Special Collections

Copies of the Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society and History Magazine are available. Researchers requiring access to special collections or our Rare Books Room are advised to make an appointment with the RAHS Librarian.

Image Reproduction

Many images from the RAHS library’s image collection are available online. If you cannot locate a particular image in the online catalogue, please contact the RAHS Librarian.

For permission to reproduce photographs and other material from the collection, please download an application form or contact the RAHS Librarian for more details.

Members and non-members can use their digital camera or scanner without charge, subject to conservation requirements. Image reproduction is subject to copyright and use conditions.

Image Reproduction Fees

RAHS Members and Members of RAHS Affiliated Societies – $26.00 per image (incl. GST) + postage.

Non-Members – Price on request.

Scanned images can be emailed at no extra cost. Fees for the reproduction of more than five images are determined on an individual basis.

Click on the images below to explore the library catalogues and collections.