The Library holds a small number of special collections containing unique materials. These collections are managed under controlled conditions to help preserve them and ensure ongoing access for the UTS community.
Norman Lindsay Collection
The Norman Lindsay collection features more than 900 items created by or relating to Norman Lindsay, one of Australia’s most prolific writers, painters, and sculptors of the early to mid‑20th century. Compiled by noted Lindsay collector James Kemsley, the collection includes books, journal issues, and a wide range of ephemera, as well as an original manuscript. Together, these materials chronicle Lindsay’s life and creative output, offering insight into the social, cultural, and artistic contexts that shaped his work.
Jack Lindsay Collection
The Jack Lindsay’s collection contains materials relating to Norman Lindsay’s eldest son, Jack Lindsay, reflecting his work as a novelist, poet, translator, publisher, historian and long‑standing supporter of the political Left. The collection includes key examples of his published writings, unpublished papers and a selection of personal items. Together, these materials provide additional context to the Norman Lindsay Collection. A small number of unique items have been digitised and are available through the UTS repository, OPUS.
Finding and requesting Special Collections items
Special Collection items can be found in the Library catalogue by searching by title, author or keyword, and selecting Special Collections from the filters on the left side of the results page.
Items must be requested through the Library Retrieval System using the Get It: Request option in the catalogue record. Please submit requests at least 48 hours before your visit so staff can prepare the materials and ensure they are available.
Access restrictions
All Special Collections items must be viewed in the Library.
Some materials (including items from the general collection) may have additional restrictions due to fragility, rarity, cultural sensitivity, Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) considerations, or copyright requirements.
Library staff will advise you of any specific conditions when items are requested or viewed.
Conditions of use
To help preserve these materials, the following conditions apply:
- No pens, food or drink in the viewing area.
- Handle items with clean hands or Library‑provided gloves when required.
- Treat materials with care and do not mark or alter them.
- Copying, scanning or photography is not permitted without staff approval.
- View items only in the space designated by staff.
- Keep items supervised at all times and return them to staff when leaving the designated area.
Special Collections guidelines
These guidelines underpin UTS Library’s collection development and management practices for its special collections. View the UTS Library Special Collections guidelines.
Digitised Library items
The Library has digitised a small selection of older, out‑of‑copyright works from its general collection. These items include children’s fiction, Australian flora, Australian education, poetry, art and illustration, are available through the Internet Archive. Each item can be viewed online and downloaded in multiple formats.