Public Libraries are good places for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people because they have:
Public libraries are free!
Some libraries use an Aboriginal Flag sticker to identify books and other resources by Aboriginal authors or about Aboriginal issues.
Highlights of the public library collections include:
Australian
Aboriginal Encyclopedia
Some 2,000 entries and 1,000 photographs covering topics like history, art, language, sport, education, archaeology, literature, land ownership, social organisation, health, music, law, technology, media, economy, politics, food and religion. Hundreds of biographies of Aboriginal people, maps and descriptions of Aboriginal groups and organisations. Also available on CD-ROM, with the added bonus of 230 sound bytes (music and oral history) and 50 video clips.
Bringing Them Home : Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families / [Commissioner: Ronald Wilson]
Landmark report commonly known as the Stolen Children or Stolen Generation Report.
Western Australian
Western Australian Aboriginal Authors
Choose from books by indigenous authors, including Doris Pilkington, Jack Davis, Kim Scott, May O'Brien and lots more.
Family History Sources in Public Libraries
Nyungar Tradition : Glimpses of Aborigines of South-Western Australia, 1829-1914 / Lois Tilbrook
Includes index to names on family trees, and family names in text.
Aborigines of New Norcia 1845-1914 / compiled and edited by Neville Green and Lois Tilbrook
Brief biographical details of Aboriginal people who were taken to the Benedictine mission started by Bishop Salvado in 1846.
Aborigines of the Albany Region, 1821-1898 / compiled by Neville Green
Brief biographical details.
Aborigines of the Southwest Region, 1829-1840 / compiled and edited by Sylvia Hallam and Lois Tilbrook
Brief biographical details.
Far From Home, Aboriginal Prisoners of Rottnest Island 1838-1931 / Neville Green and Susan Moon
Identifies more than 3,000 Aboriginal prisoners who served time on Rottnest, gives biographical listings plus an historical account of the prison. More family history resources are described in our Aboriginal Family History Hot Topic.
New Resources
The House of Aboriginality
This CD-ROM is a 3-D virtual residence entirely furnished with products decorated with Aboriginal designs collected by Dr. Vivien Johnson and students at Macquarie University. As viewers explore the rooms of the house they can access information about the authenticity of each use of Aboriginal art imagery. Also includes an image bank of hundreds of products, a media file of videos with artists and clan elders, press clippings and key court judgements. It is a moving history of Indigenous artists 25 year campaign to protect their art from unauthorised copying.
Award Winning Aboriginal Literature - Children's Book of the Year Awards
Going for Kalta / with Brenda, Yvonne and Tjitji Tjutja (all the kids)
Shows in words and pictures where the Kalta people live and eat. Winner Eve Pownall Award for Information Books.
My Girragundji / Meme Mc Donald & Boori Pryor
When you're growing up between two worlds, being bullied at school and have seven sisters - you really need a friend. A little green tree frog can make a big difference. A humorous look at cultural differences, family relationships and growing up.
The Ngaanyatjarra of the Gibson Desert / Liz Thompson (Shortlisted)
Ngaanyatjarra people have lived in Warburton in Western Australia for thousands of years. This book describes their social, cultural, and spiritual life.