Visit

Please submit requests for material at least three days in advance of your visit. You will receive an email confirmation when the material is available for you. Members of the public may request material by email at rarebooks.library [at] mcgill.ca (rarebooks[dot]library[at]mcgill[dot]ca).

Members of the McGill Community may place hold requests via the Libraries catalogue. Look for the red ‘Request/Hold or Scan’ button in the top right-hand corner of the catalogue record. This will take you to a request form. See here for detailed instructions.

For Archival Materials held in Rare Books and Special Collections, consult the archival collections catalogue (AtoM). This catalogue is a searchable database of archival holdings across McGill.  

• For requests and research assistance with archival materials in the Rare Books collection, email Rarebooks.library [at] mcgill.ca (rarebooks[dot]library[at]mcgill[dot]ca).  
• For requests and research assistance with archival materials in the McGill University Archives, email refdesk.archives [at] mcgill.ca (refdesk[dot]archives[at]mcgill[dot]ca). 

Please note:

• Some materials may require up to a week to retrieve.
• Limits will be imposed on the number of books or archival boxes that can be requested at one time.
• Not all materials can be made accessible.

Policy on Personal Photography

• Personal photography, for research purposes, is permitted in the Reading Room on approval of Reading Room staff, depending on factors including fragility of the material.
• Cameras, including handhelds, cell phones, or iPads are permitted for use with flash disabled. No additional equipment, such as lighting or tripod is permitted.
• The reader must take care to protect the rare material at all times. Books and other items must be set-up prior to photography with the assistance of RBSC Staff. Lanyards worn around the neck or wrist to support the camera are encouraged.
• Images intended for publication (web or print) must be ordered from RBSC staff using the reproduction form.
• Photography of the Reading Room staff members or other readers is not permitted.
• Readers agree to the above policy on personal photography upon registration.

Reproductions and permissions

McGill Library has a long history of digitizing our rare and special collections and making them available to the world. Read more about digitization services for research needs

Permissions

Reproduction of the materials is allowed for personal or scholarly use. The granting of permission to publish by Rare Books and Special collections does not absolve users from securing permission from copyright owners and payment of such additional fees as the owners may require if the division does not own copyright or if the material is not in the public domain. Applicants assume all responsibility for questions of copyright and invasion of privacy that may arise in copying and in the use made of the photographic and digital copy.

Researchers must include the supplied credit line when reproductions are used for publication, exhibition, web site production and video production.