The Library holds extensive collections of books, government publications and serials emphasizing subject areas such as political and social sciences, economics, public administration and management, law and legislation, and Manitoba history in two separate locations.

Staff use these resources to provide information and reference assistance to Members of the Legislative Assembly, Manitoba government personnel and the general public. The Library has a long-standing tradition of cooperation with other libraries as well as publishers in Manitoba.

Information and reference assistance is available by phone, fax, e-mail, and in person at both locations.

Collections at the Library's Main Reading Room

The major part of the collection is located at 200 Vaughan and includes:

Books And Reports (200 Vaughan)

• Books and reports are selected primarily to fill the information needs of the Legislature and government in areas of law and legislation, politics and government, economic and social issues, and public administration and management.
• The most complete collection of materials published in Manitoba is housed here. Under the Legislative Library Act, Manitoba publishers deposit their publications with the Library. Two lists included here, Prairie people and perspectives and A Selected list of children's books published in Manitoba, reflect the range of titles received and the continuing co-operation of Manitoba publishers with the Library's legal deposit program.
• The QUIRC (Quality & Innovation Resource Centre) collection is a central repository of publications and reports on quality service. This collection, which is partially funded by Service Manitoba, supports Manitoba government programs and services.

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Government Publications (200 Vaughan)

• These include extensive collections from Manitoba, Ontario, and the federal government. Manitoba government publications are listed in the Manitoba Government Publications Monthly Checklist.
• Publications from other Canadian provinces and the U.S. federal government are housed here.

  NOTE: Legislative materials including statutes, debates and gazettes from the federal and other provincial governments are housed at the Legislative Reading Room.

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Newspapers And Periodicals (200 Vaughan)

• All newspapers currently published in Manitoba can be used on site. The Library also has the most complete collection of historical Manitoba newspapers. Dating back to 1859, the newspaper holdings are available on microfilm for on site research or for interlibrary loan. Current issues may be used in the Library. Newspapers are invaluable tools for community and family histories.
• Current Manitoba periodicals as well as Canadian and international journal titles related to government programs and interests are housed here.

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Rare Book Collection (200 Vaughan)

• The Rare Book collection has always been an integral part of the Legislative Library. The collection's value is continually growing as early works on the history of Manitoba and the former Northwest become increasingly rare. The Rare Book Room has its own air conditioning and humidification system which help to slow down the aging effects of heat and humidity on brittle paper and bindings. Although it is a working collection which is freely available to researchers, the preservation of rare and sometimes fragile material governs its use. Policies for the care and use of these books ensure that they will be preserved for future generations of readers.

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Special Access Files (200 Vaughan)

• A large collection of newspaper clippings from Winnipeg daily papers dating back to 1885 are kept in scrapbooks and file folders. The subject areas covered are biography, local history, and Manitoba politics. A card index provides access to the historical and biographical clippings. The current Legislative Reading Room Press Clippings in Room 260 of the Legislative Building may also be of interest.

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United Nations & International Organizations Documents (200 Vaughan)

• As the official deposit library in Manitoba, the library receives documents of the United Nations and its main organs, commissions and agencies. This includes official records, resolutions, proceedings, reports, treaties and many other documents. It also receives documents from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and International Labor Organization (ILO) on partial deposit.
• Publications from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) are selectively acquired.

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Collections at the Legislative Reading Room

The Legislative Reading Room is the main service point for the Members and staff of the Legislative Assembly. These collections are located in Room 260 of the Legislative Building and include:

Government Legislative Publications (Room 260, Legislative Building)

• Debates, votes and proceedings, order papers, bills, statutes, gazettes, regulations from the Manitoba Legislature and all other provincial legislatures, the territories as well as from the federal Parliament can be consulted on-site.
• The Hansard Scrapbooks provide press coverage of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly's sessions from 1885 until the beginning of the province's official Hansard in 1958.

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Manitoba Press Clippings (Room 260, Legislative Building)

• Articles about provincial government activities selected from the Winnipeg Free Press and Winnipeg Sun, the Brandon Sun, and La Liberté for the current year and the two previous years are kept here while holdings of earlier years are available at the Main Library in the Special Access Files.
• The Hansard Scrapbooks provide press coverage of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly's sessions from 1885 until the beginning of the province's official Hansard in 1958.

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Periodicals and Newspapers (Room 260, Legislative Building)

• All newspapers currently published in Manitoba, major daily newspapers from across Canada, and periodicals dealing with current affairs, legislation, and parliamentary activities are available.

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Reference Collection (Room 260, Legislative Building)

• A working collection of reference materials emphasizing parliamentary practice, legislation, politics and government can be consulted in the Reading Room.

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