Within the Pacific, the Library gives priority and emphasis to collecting from the countries and territories of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. The strength of the Library's holdings, which are at a level capable of sustaining research study, reflects Australia's strong historic and continuing connections with the region. As well as printed materials, the Library has many pictures , manuscripts, microform materials and maps relating to the region.
Materials range from early maps and published accounts of the Pacific to present day materials.
Library staff have published articles and reports on the Pacific collections and their acquisition. The history of these collections dates from the early 1900s. Between 1960-1967, the Library acquired a rich collection of indigenous publications from Sir John Ferguson , including many of the first publications printed in the Pacific region. The Rex Nan Kivell Collection , another significant formed collection , added further depth to the Library Pacific materials. The National Library's Manuscript Collections include papers of the following Australians who were involved, personally or professionally, with the Pacific and Papua New Guinea.