ABLO Requests
Library Requests
The ABLO can obtain copies of literature available at Kew Library providing the item is not obtainable in Australia. Requests should only be for items essential to your research. All requests must be made formally through an academic or herbarium library. Requests are not processed from the general public or an unattached individual.
Prior to emailing the ABLO with your request, please search the online catalogue to ascertain whether the item is at Kew (see www.kew.org.uk/library/ or www.rbgkew.org.uk/library/ ). Note that some older journals may not be listed on this electronic catalogue. If you suspect a reference may be at Kew, please ask the ABLO to consult the hard copy catalogue.
A photocopy request form (below) must be filled out, signed by the requestor and then faxed to the ABLO. Please include the library Class Mark number on this form.
- (Kew) Library and Archives form (PDF - 170 KB)
Items not available at Kew may be available at the Natural History Museum (NHM). Check the NHM online catalogue (www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/library/ ) but be aware that it is not complete and items are often actually available which do not appear. Contact the ABLO for further information.
Kew Archives Requests
The ABLO can provide information on the material housed in the Herbarium Archives (e.g. correspondence) and in some situations can examine this material on your behalf. Copies of material in the Archives will incur a change (a minimum of £10 for overseas requests). The copying policies and charges are available at www.rbgkew.org.uk/library/using.html . It is necessary to complete separate forms to obtain copies of material in the archives. These will be provided by the archive staff.
Images of specimens
The ABLO can obtain high resolution digital images of types housed at Kew and BM. Such requests can be time consuming and a rapid turn around is not always possible. For Kew requests, each specimen must be located, databased, scanned and incorporated by the ABLO. For BM and LINN requests, the specimens are located by the ABLO but databased and scanned by BM staff.
Specimens at Kew and BM are arranged geographically within genera and types are not always clearly indicated. It is therefore important to provide the ABLO with full protologue details along with any additional information that will assist in locating the type in question (e.g. any alternate names the specimen may be filed under).
Images are provided via CD ROM. They will only be sent to Australian institutions, not to individuals.
Before you download
Most publications are available as PDF files. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF files.
If you are unable to access a publication, please contact us to organise a suitable alternative format.
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