Collection Description
The Government Information Service collection consists of the publications produced by governments, government agencies and intergovernmental organizations. We are a depository library for publications from Canada (in English and French), the United Nations, the European Union and the International Labour Organization. Emphasis is also placed upon documents from the Canadian Provinces (particularly Québec), Great Britain, the United States, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the IMF and the World Bank. The collection offers extensive research materials, in all formats, for both current and historical research.
All government publications received since 1988 appear in the Catalogue.
Some items received prior to 1988 are only listed in the Government Information Service's card catalogue. Materials located via the card catalogue are shelved alphabetically by country or organization.
Special Collections
After more than 150 years of acquiring Canadian government documents, and more than 80 of those as a depository, the McGill Library possesses a world-class collection of this material. Similarly impressive collections are available for Québec, the League of Nations, the United Nations, the European Union and the International Labour Organization. The Government Information Service also houses several rare items from Great Britain, Lower Canada, the United States and others, with imprints dating back to the mid-18th century.