The Library aims to acquire and preserve a copy of all Victorian newspapers including variant editions. It endeavours to collect at least two copies of every hardcopy newspaper published - one is archived for future use and preservation while the other is available for unrestricted use for at least 12 months or until the material is available in an alternative format. Where the Library receives only one copy of a Victorian newspaper, that copy is freely available for three months from the date of receipt and then is archived. The Library also acquires Victorian newspapers in other formats such as electronic newspapers, newspapers on CD ROM and photocopied, facsimile or microfilm newspapers. The Library pursues an active program of microfilming Victorian newspapers to improve public access and preserve hardcopy.
Priority is given to material which is vulnerable and in high demand.
This policy may change when CD ROM imaging of newspapers becomes practicable on a large scale. Many of the newspapers are unique to the State Library Collection. The oldest interstate newspaper held by the Library is a copy of the Sydney gazette published in 1803. Additional titles may be acquired where there is a significant variation in editorial comment or where other titles contain important information newspapers from towns on or near Victorian borders and from Tasmania are acquired selectively newspapers in languages other than English are acquired when there is a demand which cannot be met by the use of a Victorian newspaper or the paper is considered to be of national significance newspapers published by national organisations and which contain information of relevance to Victoria or which cover subject matters in which the Library has a specific interest are also collected. When microfilms of interstate daily newspapers are acquired, the hardcopy is discarded.