The Department of Information Services carries out targeted research on printed matter which was published from 1851 on.

For research on holdings before 1850 turn to the information service of the Department of Manuscripts and Rare Books (Tel.: (+43 1) 534 10-477; e-mail: had-slg@onb.ac.at). The deciding question is the year of publication of the literature on your subject.

Information sources used in research

The Department of Information Services has access to many and varied sources of information, most of which are not accessible through web search engines.

Printed materials
Through its specialisation on literature specific to Austria and Austrian authors the Austrian National Library has a unique body of information on the topic of Austria. Because of the obligation to deliver a specimen copy of all Austrian publications, which before 1918 applied to most of the Monarchy, the entire body of Austrian writing – that is, literature in all fields of knowledge – the Austrian National Library has at its disposal for research everything that appeared at any one time within the political boundaries of Austria. Since 1918 the Austrian National Library has limited itself in its acquisition of foreign literature to the humanities.
Catalogues and databases
As well as to the catalogues and databases of the Austrian National Library, the Department of Information Services has access to scholarly databases.
Internet
Through suitable techniques of scanning the flood of information in the Internet is systematically filtered to get relevant information.
Electronic and printed media to obtain contact addresses of suitable specialised institutions
When questions are asked on themes that cannot be answered by us, we point you in a systematic way to other specialised institutions.

Free-of-charge information

Among these are simple questions that could promptly be answered by consulting various reference works (e.g., information on publishing houses, completion of bibliographic details, short biographical information such as dates of birth and death, etc.).

Information by telephone: Monday to Saturday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. at telephone number (+43 1) 534 10-444. Please send written inquiries by e-mail, fax, or post to the Department of Information Services.

Research incurring fees

When the inquiry on a particular topic is complex, the staff will investigate suitable search strategies, carry out research for you, and supply you with the desired information/literature.
Examples:

I’m looking for information on Castelli and Öhlenschläger in connection with Ludlamshöhle.

Can you name for me texts that were on the short list in the competition for the national anthem in 1947?

Could you tell me how to acquire the plans for the stretch of railway between Prague and Lemberg from 1913?

Costs

The fee for research will be charged whether or not the desired information/literature was found. Costs of reproduction are not included in the fee.

Compiling of literature to be used in technical writing, theses, dissertations, etc. cannot be undertaken, since researching the literature is an essential part of such work and so must be carried out by yourself. However, the staff of the Research Department are at your disposal to advise you on how to go about carrying out your examination of the literature.

Consignment of reproductions

Reproductions of specific articles, essays, chapters, etc. can be sent to your address. Please realise that there may be restrictions on legal or conservation grounds, hence not every type of reproduction you may wish for can be carried out.
Please send your orders for printed materials with year of publication from 1851 on by e-mail, post, or fax to the Department of Information Services.
For accounting purposes we ask you to add your complete postal address to commissions, even when you do so by e-mail or fax.

Inquiry form - please see German version

Advice on suitable search strategies

Within the Library the first place to ask questions is the information desk. If you have complex questions that cannot be answered at the information desk for reasons of the time involved, please turn to the staff of the Department of Information Services.
In addition, the Austrian National Library offers guided tours and training.