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Information Services

Canadian Studies

Welcome to the Canadian Studies subject guide - your guide to using the library resources, services and facilities for your subject.

Main Library

To help you navigate the Main Library in George Square, watch this student tour which highlights the various resources, services and facilities available in the Main Library.

Using the Online Library

The Library has a vast amount of online resources you can use for your learning and research which can be a bit overwhelming when you're first starting to use them. Our guide provides information to help you navigate all the online resources you'll need throughout your studies.

Other University of Edinburgh Libraries

There are 10 other site libraries at the University that you can visit and use. 

Edinburgh College of ArtMoray House libraryInternal photo of New College LibraryRoyal infirmary Library

Where are the Canadian Studies books in the Library?

The Main Library holds the majority of books for Canadian Studies. Most of these books are on the 2nd floor or 3rd floor or in the HUB (High Use Book) Collection on the ground floor.

Canadian Studies crosses over with a range of subject areas but some of the most common shelfmarks for Canadian Studies start with:

F History of the Americas, including F1001-1145.2 History of Canada (British America).
JL Political institutions and public administration (Canada, Latin America, etc.)
PR English Literature, includes literature of the Commonwealth (starts around PR9000)
PS American Literature, including PS8000 Canadian Literature (English) and PS9000 Canadian Literature (French)

Remember the Library has access to thousands of e-books which you can access via DiscoverEd.

Centre for Research Collections

The Centre for Research Collections (CRC) is the main space for anyone using the University of Edinburgh's historic and special collections, including rare books and manuscripts, University of Edinburgh archives, personal and institutional archives, Lothian Health Services Archives, University of Edinburgh PhD theses, art collection, musical instrument collection and more.

The CRC are based on the 6th floor, Main Library.


'Edmonton, Alberta, [Canada] - Central'. Photograph of the central street through a residential district of Edmonton, Alberta, [Canada] in the early 20th century. Roslin Glass Slides (No. 2512). Shelfmark: GB 237 Coll-1434 (Box 36). © University of Edinburgh. See original image.

Accessing material not in the library collection

If the library does not have what you want then there are different ways of getting access to the material:


The Inter-Library Loan (ILL) Service: 

This allows you to request material either held at distant university library sites including the  University Collections Facility, or material not held by the university. 


Request a book image

Book Recommendations: 

If you are unable to find the book that you need for your studies then use the Student Request a Book (RaB) service to recommend a purchase.


Visit another library: 

It may be possible (and sometimes quicker) to visit another library to get access to the item you require. Some reciprocal schemes and agreements allow our staff and students access to some other libraries