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National Library of Canada

The National Library of Canada is the ultimate information source on Canadiana. By law, two copies of everything published in Canada are kept here so that they're available for use today and are preserved for future generations. The National Library presents many literary and musical events.
What You Should Know
We're a federal cultural agency responsible for collecting and preserving Canada's published heritage so that it's available for present and future generations of Canadians.

Dates
year-round

Location
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N4
Tel: (613) 995-9481
Toll-free: 1-877-896-9481

Times
We're open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. (Reference librarians are available to serve you from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) We can also arrange for you to work after hours. When you obtain a user card, you may use the Library from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. any day of the week.
Cost
Free

Contact
(613) 992-9988 

Did You Know?

  • The National Library of Canada holds more than 10 million publications. Most are written and published in Canada, but some are works about Canada that are published abroad. photo 
  • If you've written a university thesis at the Masters or Ph.D. level in Canada, there's a copy on microfiche at the National Library. 
  • A specialized area of expertise is Canadian music. The National Library holds records, tapes, compact discs, sound recordings, sheet music and personal papers of musicians. It even has the piano of famed Canadian pianist, Glenn Gould. 
  • Reference services respond to about 100,000 inquiries each year. With a few exceptions, the National Library of Canada will lend material to any library in Canada or around the world.
Canada's Library

Serving Libraries Across Canada

The National Library of Canada has the world's most comprehensive collection of information published in Canada or about Canada. As a federal institution, its mandate is to acquire, preserve and promote Canadian published heritage and make it available to people.

Since 1953, Canadian publishers have been required to send copies of all their works to the National Library. These include books, periodicals, sound recordings, educational kits, microforms and videos. The National Library also receives copies of all federal and provincial government publications.

One of the main purposes of the National Library is to serve other libraries. If your local library does not have a work you are looking for, it can be borrowed from the National Library by interlibrary loan. The National Library's collections act as an extension of those within your local library.

Specialized Collections

In addition to the books and periodicals that you would expect in any major library, the National Library of Canada has special collections in the following areas:

  • Canadian theses.
  • newspapers.
  • official publications.
  • music.
  • rare books.
  • literary manuscripts.
  • children's literature.
  • information for the library community.
Frequently Asked Questions

Who can use the National Library?
Students, professors, researchers, business people, public servants. They all need information and so do you! Our resources are available to anyone who needs information.
What kind of information do you have?
We have all kinds of information. How about Canadian literature? Music? History? Genealogy? Literary manuscripts and artists' books? Rare books? They're all available to you at the National Library.
Do you have anything besides books?
You bet! At the National Library, information comes in many different forms. There are tapes, records and compact discs in our Music Collection and personal papers and memorabilia in our Literary Manuscript Collection. We have educational kits in our general collection, research results from some of Canada's best young scholars in our Canadian Theses Service. We also have an assortment of material on computer disc, CD-ROM and in other electronic formats.
What about cultural activities?
We hold exhibitions and displays throughout the year. For example, "Out of This World", our exhibition of Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy, and our exhibition on pianist Glenn Gould have enjoyed wide success. We also frequently have small exhibits of the works of Canadian authors and artists. We're always looking for ideas that will help us highlight Canada's literary and musical life.
What about readings and concerts?
We have literary and musical events throughout the year. Authors Michel Tremblay, Robertson Davies and Carol Shields, pianist Angela Hewitt and jazz violinist Mireille Proulx are among those who have entertained audiences at the National Library. We also host such special events as readings by the year's Governor General's literary award winners and an annual National Library lecture. Journalist Robert Fulford and playwright Antonine Maillet are among those who have been featured in this series.

How do I use the National Library's resources?
Just talk to your local or university librarian! The National Library works closely with many libraries across the country. Our collections and services act as extensions of those within your local library.
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