We’re making it easier for you to connect with our special collections online and in the FW Robinson Reading room with updates to our webpages.
New page: Special collections
Students and academics at UQ and from around Australia use our special collections for all kinds of research and study. Visit our special collections page to find, access, copy and publish with our collections.
Find this page by clicking Library services and then Special collections in the menu on the Library website.
Use this new page to:
- Locate and access items from the collections - you'll find links to special collections in Library Search and the Fryer Manuscripts website
- Request items using our Fryer request form
- Order copies and request publication permission.
You can also find out more about our fellowships, teaching with special collections materials and how you can support our mission to maintain an internationally important collection in Queensland.
Updated page: FW Robinson Reading Room
The FW Robinson Reading Room is the public room on level 4 of the Duhig Tower where you can view and use certain special collections items.
It is part of the Fryer Library, but you can access much more than just Fryer collections! FW Robinson (Doc Robbie) was the first Fryer Librarian - you might have noticed his bookcase on level 2 of the Duhig Tower.
Find this page by clicking Locations and hours and then FW Robinson Reading Room in the menu on the Library website.
We have updated information about the Reading Room to make planning your visit easier. There are links to the Special collections web page for finding, requesting and copying special collections.
You can still access Fryer Library and UQ Archives materials in the Reading Room by appointment, and our friendly staff are on hand to answer your questions and help you with your research.
New page: The Fryer story
Visit the Fryer story page to read biographies of three key figures in the history of the Fryer Library: FW Robinson, Father Leo Hayes and Jack Fryer himself. You’ll also find a timeline showing the history of Fryer from creation to the present day.
Over to you
These changes help us showcase our special collections that include the Fryer Memorial Library of Australian Literature, the University of Queensland Archives and the Otto Hirschfeld Collection.
We suggest that you update your browser bookmarks if you use our special collections regularly, as links to our request forms have also changed. Key pages are listed below for your convenience:
- Special collections
- FW Robinson Reading Room
- Fryer item request form
- Request copies from the Fryer Library manuscript collection
- Stories from the collection
We also welcome your feedback on these changes. Let us know what you think by emailing fryer@library.uq.edu.au or on our social media channels. We’ll be updating the pages over the coming months in line with your feedback.
We look forward to helping you with your study and research!