FW Robinson Reading Room

Fryer Library, Special Collections Teaching Space
Fryer Library, Special Collections Teaching Space

The FW Robinson Reading Room is a quiet study space open by appointment to researchers, visitors and members of the UQ community using special collections, including those held in the Fryer Library and the University of Queensland Archives.

The Reading Room is named for Professor Frederick Walter Robinson, the first librarian of the Fryer Library. Read the Fryer story to find out more about FW Robinson and the history of some of our special collections.

Before you visit

Schedule
Use our convenient online booking system to choose when you want to visit.
Discover
Learn how to find and use our special collections.
Register
Non-UQ clients should register for membership before arriving to save time.

Location and hours

Contact

+61 7 336 56236

Postal address

Fryer Library
The University of Queensland
St Lucia QLD 4072

Hours

Book an appointment

Appointment times are available Monday to Thursday, 9:30am–12:30pm and 1:30–4:30pm.
Availability may vary due to events and UQ courses held in the Reading Room.

View all opening hours

Using the Reading Room

Like the collection it holds, the Reading Room is special. A warm, open space with an on-call librarian, the environment is ideal for anyone wanting to research or study with special collections materials. The cabinets around the room house rotating exhibitions, and the purpose-built Teaching Space regularly hosts classes, book clubs and events.

Using special collections

Rules for handling rare, unique or fragile materials are critical to their preservation:

  • Wash and dry your hands before handling items. Ensure they are free of hand lotion and moisturiser.
  • Handle items with care and ensure they're properly supported. We will provide book supports, page weights and gloves as needed and guidance for handling fragile items.
  • Retain the original order of items in folders and boxes. Use the listing provided to retain the item order. This ensures items can be located with minimum handling.
  • Request a paper flag to bookmark items. Do not use any other objects as bookmarks including pencils or post-it notes.

We take these rules as seriously as you do. Please bring any item damage or deterioration you notice to our attention. This helps us act to preserve collections in need sooner. 

Reading Room rules

Because our special collections need a little extra care so they are here for future researchers, our rules are different from other study spaces on campus.

The Reading Room is for quiet research and study only. Please:

  • put your belongings, and all food and drinks in the storage provided
  • mute your mobile devices
  • use pencil only - no ink.

Document delivery

If a document delivery item that you requested has arrived and the pick-up location is 'Fryer Library', you must use it in the Reading Room as it may not leave the Library.

Book an appointment to view your document delivery materials.

Reading Room facilities

The University of Queensland Library acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which we are located, and where our resources are accessed and used.

We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country.

For study