Contribute to the collection

Many of the Library's books, ephemera, letters, diaries, photographs, menus, wine labels, toys and games were donated by members of the public. 

Why donate materials?

Donated material helps us tell the broader story of South Australia and its people. If your donation is accepted, it will be described and made discoverable through our catalogue and enabling people around the world to explore and access the Library's collections.

What the Library may collect

The Library collects published material, such as books, journals, games and pamphlets and archival material, such as private diaries and original photographs. For a comprehensive description of what the Library collects see our Collections Policy. 

South Australian publishers are required to deposit their material to the Library under Legal Deposit requirements. 

The State Library does not accept books or any material for South Australian Public libraries. Contact your local public library to ask about donations.

Donate a book or other published material

The State Library welcomes donation offers for books and other published material if it meets our collecting criteria. Please check the State Library catalogue first to see if the items your wish to donate are already held.

Please submit the form below with details of your offer, so that we can assess your material. We aim to respond within 7-10 working days. Complex matters or large donation offers need consideration and may take longer. 

Submit a book or published donation offer

Please note and quote your query number when enquiring about your offer. 

Have a question?

Published Collections
Phone: +61 8 7424 6300
Email: SLSA.PublishedCD@sa.gov.au

Donating archival and unpublished material

The State Library welcomes offers of archival material, including personal papers, pictorial collections, oral history and audio-visual collections and other unpublished materials which document the stories of South Australian history and society. 

All offers will be assessed in line with our Collections Policy. 

Before you make an offer, please remember:

• The State Library accepts archival items that meet our Collections Policy and priorities, to find out more view What We Collect.
• Please check if we already have the item in our catalogue. There are some great help topics on how to search our catalogue effectively.
• Do you have a question? Read our Archival FAQs 

Once you've checked whether your item is already in our collection, simply submit an Archival Offer form to begin the process.  

Submit an archival material donation offer

Or download a printable copy of our Archival Offer form and email it to SLSA.ArchivalCollections@sa.gov.au

Unsolicited material

If you are considering offering collection material to the Library, please contact us prior to sending or delivering any physical materials to us.

Our Customer Service staff are not authorised to accept or take custody of material over the desk.

Have a question?

Archival Collections
State Library of South Australia
North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
Email: SLSA.ArchivalCollections@sa.gov.au