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About the Library Collection
The Archives of Ontario Library is a research and reference collection for the general public
and the staff of the Archives. There are approximately 70,000 books, pamphlets, Ontario
Government publications, periodicals, microfilm, microfiche and other printed and published
items in the Library's collections.
Most of the Library collections relate to the social, political, economic, cultural and
military history of the Province of Ontario. This material provides context and analysis and
assists in interpreting and understanding the archival material (government records and private
papers/collections) held at the Archives of Ontario.
Highlights of the Library Collection include:
Pamphlet collection: includes approximately 12,000 unique and rare pamphlets, advertising
catalogues, tourist brochures, political speeches and tracts, brief local histories, sermons,
and programmes significant to the understanding of the history of Ontario.
Ontario Government Publications: The Library collects the key publications of
the Ontario Government which shed light on the activities, policies and programs of the
Government. This includes a full run of annual reports for most Ontario Government ministries,
departments and agencies from their inception, and in many cases before Confederation.
Ontario Legislative publications, including full runs of:
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Inter-library Loan Policy
Due to the rare and historic nature of most items, the Library cannot inter-library loan
material. Many of these materials are also available in major research libraries in Ontario and Canada. It may be convenient to check with a local source before using the Archives of Ontario.
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Library Catalogues
Library materials are requested and consulted in the Archives' Main Reading Room on the first floor. Access to the collection is through:
- BIBLiON: the online catalogue. Indexes Library material acquired since 1990, as well as the pamphlet collection.
- The Card Catalogue in the Main Reading Room. Indexes library material acquired before 1990.
- Library Collection Finding Aids: Finding aids relate to various aspects of the library collections of the Archives of Ontario. They are available for
consultation in the main reading room of the Archives and are listed below:
| L # |
Title |
| L 1 |
Almanacs Collection - Paper aid obsolete. Search BIBLiON for almanacs. |
| L 2 |
Canadian Illustrated News Indices |
| L 21 |
Debates of the Legislative Assembly |
| L 22 |
Department of Public Works, Published Reports |
| L 3 |
Election Pamphlets |
| L 20 |
Journals
of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada, Province
of Canada and Ontario |
| L 4 |
Imperial Blue Books |
| L 19 |
London (Ont.) Directories |
| L 5 |
Medical Journals, published inside Ontario |
| L 6 |
Medical Journals, published outside Ontario |
| L 23 |
Original Newspaper Collections |
| L 7 |
Parks Canada Reports (manuscript) |
| L 7 |
Parks Canada Reports (microfiche) |
| L 8 |
Provincial Secretary Published Reports |
| L 9 |
Revised Statutes of Ontario |
| L 18 |
School Books Collection |
| L 10 |
Sessional Papers, Ontario |
| L 13 |
Statutes of Canada, Province of, 1841-1866 |
| L 14 |
Statutes of Ontario, 1867-1902 |
| L 12 |
Statutes of Upper Canada, 1792-1840 |
| L 15 |
Toronto Directories |
| L 16 |
United Empire Loyalists, Enquiry into Losses |
| L 17 |
Voters' Lists, 1874-1978 |
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