The Center for Research Libraries , to which McGill belongs, has a significant collection of trade and pattern books and microform copies of titles in Henry Russell Hitchcock's American Architectural Books Published in America before 1895 . Research Libraries Group and OCLC memberships provide access to vast bibliographic databases and to efficient document delivery systems based on the holdings of North America's most eminent research collections. Material in other languages, e.g. Spanish, is purchased selectively according to need. The Library collects material for the study of architecture of all periods. Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Modern are particularly emphasized.
Canadian architecture has a price of place in the collection.
Whenever possible, retrospective acquisitions are made to upgrade specific areas of the collection. Subject Levels of Collecting Definitions of collection levels are derived from the American Library Association's Guidelines for Collection Development Policies , 1989. Collection Levels Definition of the collection levels employed by McGill University Libraries. AudioVisual materials in the field of architecture, including videos, etc., are selected by Blackader and housed and serviced in the AudioVisual Service of the Humanities and Social Sciences Library in the Redpath Building. The transfer of rare material pertinent to the Art and Architecture mission of Blackader may take place from time to time depending on circumstances and the original terms of acquisition.