National Library of Canada Review

A valuable Canadian treasure for any and all to locate historical information. Some is digital and a lot of original files and photos. They even have my CD on file there!

Security/reception staff take their job a little too seriously. You think you're entering the Pentagon. For all you first-timers, don't pass the reception desk and head for the elevator. You"ll be scornfully called back to the desk, frowned upon and treated like you've committed a crime. Geesh! You're told you need to sign in with them first and given a temporary pass after showing ID. Then you"re sent to the 2nd floor for another registration with photo ID. That's fine. But staff need to lighten up a little; it's a library. And it wouldn't hurt if they tried to smile once in a while.

Staff are excellent help. I love that its open a bit later.

Building does look gloomy. Very nice exhibition during open doors. Book sale was unbelievably cheap!! And the documents present were astonishing, especially the giant metal Canadian Coat of Arms.

They are very friendly and well trained in what they do security is good.

This is a library you should come, if you want to study more about Canada and its history.

Wish every archive would be so helpfull, well willing and fast

Excellent service and a quiet place to consult archives.

Amazing library filled with knowledge about Canadians from 150 years ago and onwards. Top secret place for the most part!

It's been very easy to register for a pass to access resources for research.

Lynette Smith yesthinkgolearnaboutschoolatarchiverokogodblessyou

God help you if you want to speak to anyone who works there, or if you have a question. Unless you actually GO THERE.....you cannot get through their automated phone service. The robot answering machine gives you 8 Choices, but none offer to patch you through to an actual person, and the other choices, are just more automated services. Unfortunately, this is now typical for most businesses or groups who are more interested in saving a few $$'s than they are in providing a service.

Found very easy to register and enter. The staff I dealt with were very helpful and there was plenty that I was interested in finding. Like all records , more digitization would be nice but if it were I would not have needed to come onsite to visit and wouldn't be rating the location. My advice would be , to be kind but ask for help when you needed. Some of the staff were very knowledgeable and happy to assist.

I went to check out the exhibit for the Canada 150th. It was a nice set up with lots of information.

They had a cool board game that I wish was still around today that helped kids learn french and English when they came to Canada. I thought that was really cool.

There was an area that you could not take any photos and had to stay quiet. The security was nice and friendly. They let you know what was acceptable in that room and were kind about it all.

They have a coat check and paid parking. Not a lot of people where there so it was nice to be able to walk around and enjoy it.

Make sure you get a research pass between 10-3 weekdays before attempting to access archives. Archives are not available during the weekend