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Services for the public
- Interlibrary loan services to the public
- Retired departmental staff and members of the diplomatic corps
- Reference and research services
The Library is open to the public, Monday through Friday 8:30AM-4:30PM and is committed to providing quality service to clients.
Interlibrary loan services to the public
The Library does not loan material directly to non-departmental clients. However, non-departmental clients wishing to borrow items from the Library's circulating collection can make arrangements for an interlibrary loan through their own library and are welcome to use the Library catalogue to locate relevant titles and call numbers. The Circulation Desk staff makes every effort possible to fulfill incoming interlibrary loan requests as soon as they are received from the requesting library.
Retired Departmental staff and members of the diplomatic corps
The Library will loan material directly to retired departmental staff as well as to members of the diplomatic corps posted in Ottawa. Members of the diplomatic corps must present their diplomatic passport or employee identification card to the Circulation Desk staff. In all cases those wishing to borrow from the library must be registered users and have a patron record account set up in the automated system.
The Library cannot offer an interlibrary loan service to members of the diplomatic corps posted in Ottawa. For such requests, they should contact the National Library of Canada by e-mail, by telephone at (613) 996-7527 or by fax at (613) 996-4424.
It is also possible for the Circulation Desk staff to make arrangements to borrow work-related items from other libraries on behalf of retired staff of the Department.
Circulation Desk staff can usually begin processing inter-library loan requests the same day that they are received. Material can usually be obtained within 48 hours if the lending institution is in the National Capital Region. Otherwise, it usually takes 5 to 10 days depending upon the availability of the requested material. For urgent requests Circulation Desk staff can often make special arrangements for a rush service. Contact the Circulation Desk staff for details (telephone: (613) 992-7687).
The library does not process interlibrary loan requests on behalf of missions. (see the Mission Staff section). The same applies for members of the diplomatic corps posted in Ottawa from other countries.
Reference and Research Services
Reference services are available to Canadian and foreign clients conducting research in the subject areas mandated to the Department such as foreign affairs and international trade.
You can either submit a request through our "Ask a Librarian" section or direct your inquiries to the Reference desk.
By Telephone: (613) 992-6150
By Fax: (613) 944-0222
By Mail:
Department of Foreign Affairs
and International Trade
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa ON K1A 0G2
In person:
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Every effort will be made to provide you with the information you need in a timely manner. The Library endeavours to respond to research inquiries within 24 hours of receipt. In the event that it is not possible for us to provide you with the information you require within 24 hours that time line, we will contact you to explain the steps that we must take to fully respond to your question request.
