Special Collections Reading Room
The Special Collections Reading Room at La Trobe University's (LTU) Borchardt Library is available for viewing archival and special collections material.
Located on Level 1 of the Melbourne (Bundoora) campus library, the Special Collections Reading Room houses rare and unique resources, including items from the University Archives and the Dardalis Archives of the Hellenic Diaspora. The collection spans from 17th-century books to 20th-century Australian literature, offering invaluable resources for research and a deeper understanding of LTU's heritage and the broader cultural landscape.
Note: Access to the Special Collections Reading Room is by appointment only.
La Trobe University Archives
Our Archives support a living, accountable, inclusive and accessible history of all LTU communities. This history extends from the organisations that formed our university in the 19th century, to the lived experiences of current staff, students and communities.
We value stories that show where we’ve come from and who we are. Our Archives respect both past challenges and achievements, focusing on lived experiences.
The collection includes University committee papers, strategic documents and correspondence, photos, uniforms and practicum tools, personal papers and records from earlier institutions (e.g. Bendigo School of Mines, Lincoln Institute).
For details on our holdings or to donate items to the University Archives, please contact our Archives team.
Dardalis Archives of the Hellenic Diaspora
The Dardalis Archives of the Hellenic Diaspora (also known as the Greek Archives) is a vast collection of materials related to Greek history and culture, Greek-Australian migration and the wider Hellenic diaspora. The Greek Archives are of great value to the local Greek community, as they showcase its history and contribution to Australia. The items in the collection range from books, documents, photographs, films, newspapers, posters, physical objects and much more.
Browse the Dardalis Archives of Hellenic Diaspora to identify materials of interest for your research.
If you require assistance with your search, please contact the Greek Archives team.
Special Collections
La Trobe’s Special Collections house rare, unique and fragile items such as books, journals and pamphlets. The collection features items dating back to the 17th century, with many books showcasing ornate and fine bindings. While the subject range is broad, strengths of the collection include 20th-century Australian literature, limited or early editions of significant texts and works relating to the history and establishment of La Trobe University.
Items in the collection will soon be available for request.