Australian Lithuanian Archives


The Archives contains records created by the Lithuanian community in Australia that are worthy of permanent preservation.   The primary collection dates from 1947 and includes minutes, reports, correspondence and other material from various clubs, groups and organisation in Australia. 

Material was kept, in numerous places over the years until the 1990’s when it was consolidated in Adelaide.  This collection was curated by Viktoras Baltutis, Augis Zamoiskis and Jonas Jonavičius. 

Collections that have become part of the Archives include, the Lithuanian Information Bureau, records and original documents used by the Adelaide editorial team to produce the second Australian Lithuanian Metraštis (Yearbook), Adelaide, St Casimir Church Archive and archives from the Adelaide Lithuanian Museum & Archives.

The Archives is housed in the Adelaide Lithuanian Catholic Centre in St Peters, where we have storage rooms and a large work room.

What we do
The Archives aims to preserve and provide access to an authentic record of the people, programmes and governance of the Lithuanian community in Australia. 
We aim to increase knowledge and understanding of Lithuanian history and culture, both that of Lithuania and concerning Lithuanians in Australia.
The Archives seeks to:
             select records that best document the community.
             ensure the reliability of evidence through maintenance of the context and order of the archival records entrusted to its care.
             create and maintain electronic and hard-copy descriptive tools that provide intellectual and administrative control of the records.
             provide a physical environment for records that ensures their long-term viability and usefulness.
             respond to the needs of the general public for historical evidence and information.
             To make available these materials and objects to the public for study and enjoyment.
             To cooperate with like organisations in activities which promote history and/or heritage to our mutual benefit.
The Australian Lithuanian Community Archives is responsible to the Australian Lithuanian Community Federal Council (Australijos Lietuvių Bendruomenės Krašto Taryba).
The Archives is managed by an honorary Archivist and supported by volunteers. 

Donations
Donations are welcome which meet our selection criteria and are offered unconditionally. The Archivist is responsible for assessing all donations.
All accepted donations become a part of the collection and therefore the property of the Archives.

Donors of accepted material are required to sign an agreement/authorisation form which addresses issues of access, reproduction, copyright and transfer of the item to the collection endowing ownership to the Archives. 
Long term loans will not be accepted. Short term loans will only be accepted for specific purposes such as for exhibition or research.

Digital reproductions of photographs and texts are available upon request.  Because preservation of its materials is a paramount concern, the Archives reserves the right to decline to digitize materials, or to limit the amount of material that can be safely digitized.

The Archives is committed to making research materials available to users on equal terms of access. Equal access does not mean that all materials are open.  It is the responsibility of the Archives to balance a researcher's needs for access with the needs of confidentiality of persons and institutions whose activities are reflected in the materials.  Consequently, the use of some materials in the Archives, especially those of recent date are subject to restrictions.

Stay up to date with the activities of the Archives by liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/australianlithuanianarchives

or contact us at archyvas AT australianlithuanians.org 

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