Information Services

Finding Information @ Your State Library

The State Library provides a range of information services to help meet your needs. Collections and services are designed to complement the school, government, private, university and public library sectors.

Within the State Library

Staff are available at enquiry desks on each floor of the Alexander Library Building to assist clients. There are computer workstations throughout the Library so that clients can conduct their own searches. Certain resources can only be accessed within the building. Staff are available for the full opening hours of the building.

Resources Which May Assist You

Catalogues, databases, websites

• Search the State Library's catalogues
• Visit us and choose from the large number of databases available
• Search other Library Catalogues & Collections
• Ask at your local Western Australian public library

Do you have a question? Connect now and chat online to an experienced librarian who can help you with your enquiry. Australia's National, State and Territory libraries have joined together to provide this online reference service, available Monday to Friday from 7.00am to 5.00pm WST.

Do you have a general enquiry? You can complete our online enquiry form and we will respond to requests for brief factual information or guidance on where to search as soon as practicable.

Have you exhausted all of the obvious options and need assistance? Use our online enquiry form for this service. Our staff will either supply the information, or advise on follow-up research methods. You will receive acknowledgement of your request. The assistance is free although charges could apply for photocopying and/or database searches. Please read our conditions of service. Our Subject Specialist Team offers a specialised enquiry service in the following areas : J S Battye Library of West Australian History Children's Literature Family History Indigenous Music

Telephone

Some enquiries can be answered over the telephone such as simple facts, bibliographical details and the location of material. The State Library's switchboard number is (08) 9427 3111.

Letter

We provide written information in response to letters. If detailed research is required you may be referred to a professional researcher to do the research for a fee. Contacting Us

Fax

You can fax your enquiry to us, but we may be restricted in what we are able to fax back because of copyright restrictions. Our fax number is (08) 9427 3256.

Using Archives

To use the archival collections you need to be registered as a researcher. There are also some restrictions to using archival material which do not apply to other collections.