These files are arranged by locality and also subject. Ask the staff at the reference desk. The original materials collections at the John Oxley Library include photographs, manuscripts, personal papers, and records of businesses, trade unions, stations, organisations, clubs and societies. The Torres Strait Islander photographs are part of this collection and they are arranged according to Island name. These photographs are in closed access and must be requested through the reference desk staff .
Aboriginal photographs are in a separate collection.
This collection is in open access within the reading room. Archives and Manuscripts Finding aids are kept in the blue binders in the Reading Room. Information in the finding aids is filed alphabetically. There is a Subject Index binder stored with the finding aids. There is also a booklet, A new list of all archives and manuscripts collections in the John Oxley Library , stored with the finding aids.