Archives
An extremely comprehensive international listing of the www sites for over 3,000 archival repositories is available at Repositories of Primary Sources, including a very useful listing of Australian archives.
Published guides to archival holdings (Finding Aids) are frequently available, either in print (check the Library Catalogue), or electronically via the web. Some archives have developed databases covering the holdings of their collections.
Accessing the material still usually involves a visit to the holding institution. It is always a good idea to contact the institution first to check if there are any access restrictions, etc., especially if you are visiting for the first time and / or traveling a great distance.
Local Archives
The University of Melbourne Archives
The holdings of the University of Melbourne Archives include collections relating to the University of Melbourne, from its establishment in 1853, covering faculties, departments, staff and students and all material relating to the Conservatorium.
The University of Melbourne Library Special Collections
Special Collections at the Baillieu Library, include a number of archival collections related to Australian publishing. The archival collections (along with other special collections) are accessible via the Special Collections Reading Room on the 3rd Level of the Baillieu Library. (Restrictions apply to some archival material.)
Other local archives of interest to the music research include:
Australian Archives
National Film and Sound Archive (ScreenSound Australia)
'We collect and preserve Australia's moving images and sound recordings from the first film images of our young country to modern classics Strictly Ballroom, Shine and beyond, from Blue Hills to Blue Heelers and the songs of Peter Dawson to today's Top 40 hits.' (ScreenSound website)
Register of Australian Archives and Manuscripts
The Register of Australian Archives and Manuscripts (RAAM) is a guide to collections of personal papers and non-governmental organisational records held by Australian libraries and archives.
National Archives of Australia
The National Archives of Australia holds Commonwealth government records. It has offices in Canberra and all the States and Territories.
Other useful guides to Australian archival collections include the Directory of Archives in Australia and Australian Historic Records Register (via Buddy).
International Archives
United Kingdom
The National Register of Archives is an extremely useful online listing of British archival material, managed by the Historical Manuscript Commission.
USA
Maintained by: S.Cole, sbcole@unimelb.edu.au