Collections Access & Development

Native Title Research and Access Service

The Native Title Research and Access Officer (NTRAO) is your first contact for information about the native title resources held in the Library and the Audiovisual Archives. Services offered include:

1. Making catalogue searches and listings of AIATSIS Library and Archives holdings
2. Arranging for individual and group research visits
3. Copying relevant material from the Library or the Audiovisual Archives
4. Providing contacts for further research and relevant Indigenous organizations

1. AIATSIS maintains an on-line catalogue of its holdings, Mura®, that can be searched from any computer with internet access. You may do this yourself or you may request a search to be done for you by the NTRAO, who can send the listings to you by email or in hard copy. Some catalogue entries are not yet available externally online, but the NTRAO has access to all entries and can arrange for a complete search for you that will list all material held by AIATSIS that is relevant to your research. All information provided to you will be treated as confidential.

You can provide search terms by using the Native Title Information Form (Word document 528kb). All listings with up to 200 citations are free of charge for you, but a fee applies for longer listings. A quote will be sent to you before the search is done.

Listings in print or by email:

1-200 citations	free of charge
201-400 citations	$55.00 plus $10.00 postage and handling
401-more citations	$110.00 plus $10.00 postage and handling

2. Individual Visits:

You are welcome to visit the Library and the Audiovisual Archives from 9-5 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays to do your own searches. A number of computer terminals are set up for your use both in the Library and in the Audiovisual Archives.

If you are planning to visit AIATSIS, it is best that you book an appointment with the NTRAO as far ahead as possible so that we can provide the best service for you. If you want to listen to tapes or view photographs or videos, an appointment needs to be booked two weeks in advance.

When you are making your appointment, please ensure that the NTRAO knows the following information so that material can be ready for you when you arrive:

Name and geographical boundaries of your claim/research
Any personal names for whom you would like information
Lists of any searches that you have made from our catalogue

Some information in the collections is held on restricted access. This is shown clearly on the catalogue record. If you want to view a document that you know is restricted, please let the NTRAO know well ahead of your visit. The NTRAO can assist you to arrange clearances, but please remember that this process can take some time.

Group visits:

The NTRAO can organize group visits if an appointment is made at least four weeks in advance. Please state the number of people in the group and search terms so that listings can be ready for you when you arrive.

Also, tours of the Library and the Audiovisual Archives may be set up for you if you require, but please let us know of your interest in advance.

3. Copying relevant material

If you are doing research at AIATSIS, you may make photocopies of material held in the Library, except where restrictions apply. All copying, however, must be done in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968. Either Library staff or the NTRAO can help answer any questions you may have about what may be copied and can assist you to organize payment. (See Library Charges)

Photocopiers and change machines are available for your use in the Library. Charges are 20 cents per page if you do the copies yourself. Copying of rare and fragile items needs to be arranged with the Collection Managers and charges for these can be negotiated.

If you want copies of audio tapes, photographs or slides, films or videos, the NTRAO will work with you to arrange copies with the Audiovisual Archives, who will make the duplicates on-site. The Audiovisual Archives require prepayment before making any copies. (Audio Visual Access Forms and Charges)

4. The NTRAO can provide you with a list of organizations that can be helpful in preparing your claim/research, such as the Native Title Representative Bodies or the National Native Title Tribunal. Also, staff members at AIATSIS have expertise in many areas, and although we cannot provide advice on specific claims, you may wish to speak to someone about an area of interest. (Research Staff Information) The NTRAO will be happy to help you establish contact with a relevant staff member.

Other services

The NTRAO compiles a bibliography for the Native Title Newsletter of recently catalogued items held by the Library and Audiovisual Archives that are of interest to native title researchers.

A bookmark is available describing the services offered by the NTRAO.

See NTRU Publications for more information on the work of the NTRU and of its publications.

Contact Information

To contact the Native Title Research and Access Officer:

(email) ntss@aiatsis.gov.au
(ph) 02 6246 1103
(fax) 02 6249 7714.