Library & Archives

Find out more about Canadian aviation—from the pioneers to the jet-age—at the Canada Aviation Museum Library and Archives. Housing the finest collection of its kind in Canada, the Canada Aviation Museum Library is dedicated to fostering an understanding of the role aviation played in the history of Canada. As well, it serves to highlight Canada’s exceptional contributions to the development of aviation worldwide.

Set up originally to meet the needs of museum staff researching exhibits and restoration projects, the Library has become a busy research centre for aviation enthusiasts and historians from across Canada and around the world. Our growing collection of over 12,000 books, 7,000 bound periodicals, 7,500 technical manuals, and over 35,000 research photographs focuses on the history of aeronautics, both civilian and military, with particular but not exclusive emphasis on the Canadian experience. Visitors can research fixed and rotary-winged aircraft, balloons, airships, aviation personalities, as well as aircraft components and engines.

Library Services

On-site consultation of the collection is possible for members of the public. Appointments are required 3 days in advance and we are open, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Materials may be photocopied, for a nominal fee, in-house and at the discretion of the Library staff. Reference assistance is available on-site and we can also be reached (see below) by telephone, mail, fax or e-mail.

Document Delivery

Loans are available to other libraries throughout North America—if you know we hold a book that interests you, please request it on inter-library loan through your local public library. The loan period is four weeks. Please note: we do not lend magazines or technical manuals, although we can provide copies of articles for research purposes.

We can be reached at:

Canada Aviation Museum Library
P.O. Box 9724, Station T
Ottawa, Ontario
CANADA K1G 5A3

Reference and Information:
Telephone: 613 993-2303
E-mail:

Inter-library loan:
Telephone: 613 990-5015
E-mail:
Fax: 613 990-3655

Closed weekends and statutory holidays.