Special collections
Access publications, images, videos, theses, course guides and more.
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Theses
A collection of databases for sourcing higher-degree theses from Swinburne, Australia and international universities.
Swinburne Library provides access to four special collections that feature items of historical or significant importance. Most of the items in these collections can be accessed online or are in the process of being digitised. Find out more about these collections and how you can access them.
- Design Special Collection
- Eldon and Anne Foote Philanthropy Collection
- Swinburne Art Collection
- Swinburne History Collection
Design Special Collection
This collection of historical source material and contemporary design-related material traces the history of modernist design in Australia in the first half of the 20th century. It includes journals, leaflets and ephemera on Australian art, architecture, interior design, fashion, costume, performing arts, circus, graphic arts and industrial design plus design tools such as colour charts and samples of printed objects in unusual format.
We have digitised material from the collection. You can view digital flipbooks of early editions of The Home Annual, Decoration and Glass, The Australian National Journal, Architecture and Arts and more. Access is only available to current Swinburne staff and students. If you are a staff member/researcher who requires access to the physical collection, please contact your liaison librarian.
Design special collection online
Swinburne Library have digitised over 200 journal issues from the Design Special Collection. They are available in an online magazine reader format.
Eldon and Anne Foote Philanthropy Collection
The collection was established to support students and staff of the Centre for Social Impact, as part of the wider Centre for Social Impact network. Swinburne students and staff can access the collection online through this link or by searching the library catalogue using keywords related to philanthropy.
Students, researchers and other interested individuals and organisations outside Swinburne can access the collection through inter-library loan and reciprocal borrowing arrangements.
Swinburne Art Collection
This collection was established by Swinburne's founder, George Swinburne, more than 100 years ago. The collection is comprised of approximately 500 works including paintings, commissioned portraits, photographs, a specially commissioned tapestry, furniture and sculptures. Many of the works were created or donated by Swinburne staff, students and alumni.
The majority of the collection is on display in public areas of our university across all three campuses, where it can be accessed and enjoyed by the wider community. Whenever possible, a digitally rendered copy of each artwork has been made available online.
Swinburne History Collection
This collection includes more than 8,000 items of cultural and historical importance to Swinburne University of Technology, such as photographs, videos, audio, transcripts of speeches, maps and building plans. The items provide present and future generations with insights into the people, places and events that are significant to Swinburne. Many of the items were created and/or donated by Swinburne staff, students and alumni. Swinburne Library is responsible for accepting, preserving and making these items accessible for current and future generations.
Contact the library
For all enquiries and feedback, please email library@swinburne.edu.au or call 1300 794 628. Alternatively, complete this form so our team members can get in touch with you.