The General Collections are increasingly focused on New Zealand and Pacific Island resources. They contain most New Zealand published material, including the second copy of legal deposit

Our collecting focus changes to reflect demand. Current focus areas are:

  • business information
  • children’s literature
  • family history
  • library and information science
  • music
  • print disabilities.

Items are in a range of formats, including, books, magazines, microfilms, CDs, DVDs, videos and databases. The collections also provide access to overseas publications online.

Planned changes to collection access

The National Library's building redevelopment means access to some collections will change over the coming relocation period.

These collections will remain fully available through the redevelopment period, through a location on Thorndon Quay.

We expect to finalise the dates of the relocation later in 2009. We will give you at least one month's notice of the change in location.

For more information email atl@natlib.govt.nz

Find out more about planned changes to collection access

National Library General Collections

General Lending Collection

General Serials Collection

General Reference Collection

New Zealand and Pacific Collection

Māori Reference Collection

Family History Collection

Music Collection

Print Disabilities Collection (Talking books)

Motor Manuals Collection

National Children’s Collection

Fiction Collection

Dorothy Neal White Collection

Susan Price Collection

Access items in these collections

Search for descriptions of items in the General Collections using the National Library Catalogue.

Get help

We can answer your enquiries in person, by letter, phone or email.


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