Perusing a volume from within the Richard Bailey Library one sometimes discovers more than the published text. Many of the volumes contain inscriptions or autographs and some have inserted associated letters, reviews or articles.

Our library is a specialty collection of over 2,000 publications covering the history of anaesthesia and offers a unique opportunity for research specifically related to the profession in Australia.

Our collection has a variety of books, from early textbooks to rare volumes such as an original copy of John Snow’s monograph On the Inhalation of Ether, to more recent international journals. It also holds instructional manuals and manufacturer’s brochures. To search our collection visit our eHive account.

A highlight of the library is a rare collection of 300 books on Mesmerism (hypnotism), including the first translation of Anton Mesmer’s Memoire sur la decouverte du Magnetisme Animal, 1779.

For more information please download the Museum Flyer.

Explore our collection online

Visit our eHive site to search and explore our collection.

Contact Us

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm by appointment
Level 7, 121 Walker Street, North Sydney NSW
Ph: 02 8556 9700 | asa@asa.org.au