Where do people go for information about their country and to find materials that might not be readily available online or in a local library? For Canadians, the National Library of Canada is the best place to find obscure books and other materials such as dissertations and theses. Located in the capital city of Ottawa, the library provides materials for on-site study, as well as for loan to people across the country.
The Location and Purpose of the National Library
According to the Ottawa Kiosk web page about the National Library, the agency is a branch of the federal government dedicated to the preservation and collection of works published in Canada. The library contains over ten million publications, including an extensive section of Canadian music and information about musicians. The piano used by the famous pianist, Glenn Gould, is also there. Every book, sound recording, or other item produced by Canadian publishers since 1953 has at least one copy in the National Library, a well as federal and provincial government publications. Some of the resources have been digitized, but many others are in paper form for researchers to use in the library.
One of the main functions of the National Library is to help fill in the gaps in other collections. Many of its materials are available for inter-library loans to other locations around the country. Thus, the National Library's collection is available to anyone with a library card, making it a truly national institution.
At the library, many services are available to researchers. As the National Library's web page on its facilities and regulations states, in addition to resources such as Internet access and space for studying, the library has staff members who are able to help direct researchers to the right resources. In addition, catalogues and other finding aids are available to help people find the materials they need.
Handling Materials in the National Library
Because many of the materials in the National Library are rare and can be fragile, their use is strictly controlled. Researchers must have a library card and must use the materials on site in one of several reading rooms. They are generally not allowed to go among the stacks to browse for materials themselves but instead must ask a librarian to retrieve the documents. In some cases, special gloves might be required for handling fragile materials. Although materials can still be damaged or become worn from use, staff at the National Library of Canada take great care to try to preserve them. However, the public can also view many of the materials at the frequent displays and exhibitions held at the library.
No library can have a collection comprehensive enough to meet everyone's needs. By preserving works by and about Canadians, however, the National Library preserves the literary history of Canada and gives people across the country the chance to learn more about themselves.
Sources:
Ottawa Kiosk.com. "National Library."
Library and Archives Canada. "The Public: Facilities and Regulations."
Susan Huebert - My name is Susan Huebert, and I'm a writer and editor from Winnipeg, Manitoba. I've always enjoyed words, and I graduated with a Bachelor ...
