Libraries and Historical Collections
The McGill Libraries provide access to over nine million items, both in print and electronic formats, and consist of multiple location and units, including the McGill University Visual Arts Collection. Refer to our library branch map, and bring your McGill ID card if you wish to borrow physical items from our collections. Access to our electronic resources (e-books, e-journals, databases, etc.) is possible anytime and anywhere. You will be prompted to enter your McGill username and password when accessing our e-resources from off campus.
The McGill Library website is the portal to all our resources and services for your learning and research needs. There are thousands of databases available that you can choose from when doing a search on any topic. Librarians have created subject guides for each area of study at McGill. Each guide pulls together all the relevant resources for doing research in that field. Find your subject guide to get started. In addition, unique scholarly materials from the Rare Books and Special Collections have been digitized and are accessible through the Libraries' website. Our website also provides access to items such as newspapers, and escholarship@McGill—a digital repository, which collects, preserves, and showcases the publications, scholarly works, and theses of McGill University faculty members, researchers, and students.
Friendly staff in each library location can help you locate the information you need. Students have liaison librarians for their departments. Liaison librarians provide workshops on finding, organizing, and citing information, visit your classes to provide instruction on doing research for course assignments, and are available to assist you with your questions, whether in person, on the phone, by email, or via online chat.
Several locations offer extended opening hours during exam periods. The Libraries offer a variety of comfortable and attractive spaces, such as individual quiet study areas and group study rooms that can be booked for use. Wireless access is available throughout the library, as are hundreds of computers, and all libraries have printing, scanning, and copying machines.
Special services like the Course Readings Service allows you to access digital items on course reading lists in the Libraries' catalogue and in myCourses. You can also borrow materials from any location and the McGill University Collection Centre and return them anywhere across the system. If you need material not owned by the McGill University Libraries, our network loan and Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Service will obtain it for you at no cost for McGill students, faculty, and staff. Loans can be picked up at any library location.
Workshops
Workshops and tours designed to teach effective library use and to familiarize students with the McGill Libraries system are offered at various times throughout the academic session. For information, and schedules, visit the Workshops and Tours web page.
Historical Collections
McGill also hosts a number of exceptional historical collections. For more information, and to view the full list of historical collections at McGill, please visit the Historical Collections web page.