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Library Guides

Library Guides

We have produced a wide range of 'LibGuides' to assist clients with using our services, finding materials in our various collections, and practical how-to information.

Copies of all 'LibGuides' are available for download and printing.

    Family History & Regional Resources

  • Ancestry (1.3 MB)

    Your gateway to genealogical and historical research, with more than 3 billion names in over 6,000 databases. Available FREE at Cairns Libraries from all public access computers. 

  • Births, deaths and marriages (1.1 MB)

    A guide to birth, death and marriage records held by Cairns Libraries, City branch. 

  • British Newspaper Archive (992.9 KB)

    The British Newspaper Archives allows you to search over 200 newspaper titles from the 18th to 20th centuries – with nearly 4.7 million digitised pages, and millions more to come. 

  • Cairns Post (642.8 KB)

    We hold the Cairns Post on microfilm 14/02/1884 to 20/05/1893, 9/06/1897 to the present (we receive our microfilm in 6 month instalments). 

  • Convict research (838.9 KB)

    A guide to convict records held by our City branch. 

  • Findmypast Australasia (1.2 MB)

    Your gateway to genealogical and historical research. Available FREE at Cairns Libraries from all public access computers. 

  • Findmypast Irish (1.2 MB)

    Your gateway to genealogical and historical research. Available FREE at Cairns Libraries from all public access computers. 

  • Findmypast UK (1.4 MB)

    Your gateway to genealogical and historical research. Available FREE at Cairns Libraries from all public access computers. 

  • Immigration and shipping (912.2 KB)

    A guide to immigration and shipping records available at our Libraries. 

  • Indigenous resources (811.7 KB)

    A guide to Indigenous family history resources available at our City branch. 

  • Regional resources (799.9 KB)

    Regional resources 

  • Trace your family tree (799.9 KB)

    Trace your family tree 

  • Trove (1006.4 KB)

    The Australian Newspapers Digitisation Program (National Library of Australia) started digitising newspapers in July 2007 with the aim of scanning just over 4 million pages over 4 years. 

    • How to

  • Access A Computer (744.4 KB)

    There are public access computers available at all Cairns Libraries. They are free of charge to all library members. Visitors may use the computers at a charge. 

  • eAudiobooks (901.8 KB)

    Cairns Libraries now offers a range of eAudiobooks to download for FREE to enjoy on your computer or your portable device such as an iPod or MP3 Player. 

  • Library Elf (781.9 KB)

    Library Elf is a personal email reminder service that lets you keep track of what’s due, overdue and ready for pickup. 

  • Print & Photocopy (137.3 KB)

    To Print at the City, Smithfield, Earlville, Mossman, and Manunda libraries you will need your library card. 

  • Reserve An Item (179.8 KB)

    You can reserve an item that is out on loan or at another library by using our catalogue either in the library or at home. 

  • Search The Catalogue (1.0 MB)

    The catalogue allows you to search items available from all Cairns Libraries’ branches, tells you which collection they belong to, whether they are currently on loan, the number of copies held and where they are located. 

    • Services

  • Children and youth services (693.4 KB)

    Storytime is a fun way to introduce your child to the fabulous world of books and the welcoming environment of your local library. 

  • Childrens E-Resources (362.7 KB)

    Childrens E-Resources 

  • Collections (786.9 KB)

    You may borrow up to ten (10) items at a time for three (3) weeks at all Cairns Libraries provided you or your family members have no overdue items or outstanding charges. 

  • eResources Cairns Libraries (427.1 KB)

    Cairns Libraries subscribes to a number of useful databases, including self-paced computer training, fun children’s learning resources and genealogy databases. 

  • eResources SLQ (1.0 MB)

    Cairns Libraries provides access to many authoritative, subscription-only databases via the State Library of Queensland on any PC with internet access. 

  • Family history (630.8 KB)

    Cairns Libraries hold an extensive collection of books, microfilm/microfiche and CD-ROMS to help you research your family history (including Birth, Death and Marriage indexes, The Cairns Post on microfilm) and more! 

  • Homebound service (629.6 KB)

    Residents who live in the Cairns local government region, may apply to receive a Homebound Library Service. 

  • Memberships and lending (625.5 KB)

    Library membership is free to Queensland residents upon proof of 50 points of identification (such as a driver’s licence, rates notice, health card, Medicare card). If you are under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must show these. 

  • Reference services (621.1 KB)

    Cairns Libraries aims to help people find information and resources they need. Our reference service is free for general research, including local and family history enquiries. 

  • Visual aids (305.1 KB)

    Cairns Libraries caters for people with visual impairments. There are two specific machines available, Clearview+ and SARA appliance. 

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