Based on its statutory duty to provide comprehensive holdings of library material relating to Australia and the Australian people, the National Library of Australia outlines in this selection policy the directions in which its collections are to be developed. Following a policy summary and an extensive history of the National Library's collections, guidelines are presented which apply to all subsequent chapters of the selection policy, each dealing with a particular type of acquisition. Principles of collection are provided for both book acquisitions--including subject coverage of Australiana, the humanities and the arts, science and technology, and the social sciences--and nonbook acquisitions comprising manuscripts, maps, oral history materials, coins and medals, items of philatelic interest, other objects, films, music, sound recordings, and pictorial material. A discussion of the language of material to be acquired, a select list of guides to the collections of the National Library, and a list of institutions involved in consultation before purchase of expensive items are appended. (ESR)