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Services to the Public: Preparing for a Visit
 

Facilities and Regulations

Important Notice:
Reopening of Library and Archives Canada Public Research Areas

Library and Archives Canada (LAC), 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa

Registration desk

The registration desk is located in the main lobby, on the ground floor. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday to Friday, except statutory holidays. At this desk, you can:

At the commissionaire's desk, located in the main lobby on the ground floor, you must show your user card and sign the register every time you conduct research at LAC.

 
  Cloakroom

There are lockers and a cloakroom on the ground floor, where you must leave your personal belongings and coats.

In the reference rooms, the following services are provided:

  • the possibility of discussing your research needs with a LAC professional
  • research tools, such as a catalogue of published materials, reference books, descriptions of archival fonds and finding aids
  • computers with access to the Internet, to collection catalogues and to LAC's databases
  • free wireless Internet access (cellular phone with text messaging is necessary)
  • work tables and reading tables.

In the Consultation Rooms, the following services are provided:

  • a circulation desk
  • self-serve copying
  • work and reading tables
  • free wireless Internet access

Note: Items from the Rare Book Collection, the Literary Manuscript Collection and the Children's Literature Collection, as well as textual records from the Music Collection are consulted in the Special Collections Consultation Room.

The Canadian Genealogy Centre is located on the 3rd floor and provides genealogical content, services, advice, research tools and opportunities to work on joint projects, all in both official languages.

Lockers to store your research materials for a short period of time are available on the third floor.

Exhibition Rooms, Auditorium, and Conference and Meeting Rooms

 
  Auditorium

Cultural events held regularly at LAC include concerts, recitals, book readings and lectures.

In addition, throughout the year, LAC presents exhibitions and other presentations highlighting records from its collection.

  • See What's On for further information.
  • If you want information on reservations of our facilities for an event, contact the Public Programs Officer at (613) 992-0057.

The LAC cafeteria, located on the fifth floor, is open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except statutory holidays.

  • There are also restaurants and other food facilities in the vicinity of LAC.

There are public payphones, that are wheelchair accessible, on the ground, second and third floors.

There are public washrooms, that are wheelchair accessible, on all the floors which are open to the public.

There is an automated teller machine (ATM) on the ground floor.

The Friends of Library and Archives Canada offer a wide selection of items in their boutique located on the ground floor.