Since the mid-1960s the Michgian State University Libraries have been a selected depository of documents of the Federal Government of Canada. We receive many of its serial publications (i.e., periodicals and annuals) and the more important books and pamphlets. The Canadian Documents Collection is located in the West Wing of the Basement of the Main Library.

Unfortunately, most of this Collection is not in MAGIC; we only started to routinely input titles in 1995. Some selected titles were input prior to that date. Thus, you have to use a multi-step process to find our Federal Canadian titles:

• Try MAGIC. The document may have been cataloged.
• If not in MAGIC, then the date of the publication determines where you will next look:
  • If you need a document published since 1982, use the Canadian Research Index - Microlog (CRI) [on Workstation #14 "Marcellus"] in Main Library Reference (East Wing, 1st Floor):
    • CRI has most Canadian Federal, Provincial/Territorial, and municipal books and annuals. It does not index magazine articles. We do not have everyting that is in this database. Finally, there is a time lag of four to six months from when a document is published and when it appears in CRI.
    • Perform your search. This system employs Silverplatter searching software that is used on the Libraries' ERL system. If you're unfamiliar with it, ask for help at the Reference Desk. Searches can be performed for authors, titles, issuing agencies, and subjects.
  • If you need a document published from 1979 through 1982, go to Microlog Canadian Research Index which is located in the Documents Index Reference collection (East Wing, 1st Floor) at Z 1365 .M5.
  • If you need a document published before 1979, follow the procedure for finding documents in the Goverment Documents Title Catalog (listed below)
• If you've found new titles, search MAGIC again. If not in MAGIC:
• Go to the Title Catalog in Government Documents (East Wing, Basement) and look for the title. If we have a card for the title, write down the call number.
• Go to the Canadian Documents Collection (West Wing, Basement) and look for the call number.
• If we don't have the title, you can request it through inter-library loan. The average time required for obtaining material on inter-library loan is 10 days to 2 weeks.