Centre for Newfoundland Studies

• CNS

• Universitaire

The Centre for Newfoundland Studies is not an archive but a library of published materials. It was founded in 1966 by a very enlightened university administration, which saw the importance of collecting and preserving old and new sources on Newfoundland and Labrador. (More information on the Centre’s history is given here: http://www.mun.ca/gazette/past/issues/vol38no8/newspage11.php )
In line with the University Library, the Centre for Newfoundland Studies responds to the library needs of the teaching, learning and researching members of Memorial University. The CNS’s specific mandate is to collect all published materials relating to Newfoundland and Labrador; to offer library services such as a reading room, reference service and reproduction service to all members of the university and to the general public; to preserve the collection for future generations; and to prepare bibliographies as its contribution to Newfoundland and Labrador scholarship.
During the late 1970s, the CNS created the Centre for Newfoundland Studies Archives, based on the many donations of correspondence (most notably the J. R. Smallwood Collection) and manuscripts it had received over the years. The CNSA existed until June 2005, when it separated from the CNS to become an archives in its own right – now known as the Archives and Special Collections Division of Memorial University Libraries.

The CNS exists to preserve writings about the island of Newfoundland and its mainland area Labrador, from the earliest times to the present.

The CNS collects every published document on every aspect of Newfoundland and Labrador, including everything written by and about Newfoundlanders/ Labradorians, in any format (monographs, journals, maps, film, sound recordings/ fiction, non-fiction, government documents).

Reporting to the University Librarian and Associate UL: Head of CNS, Asst. Head, four reference services library assistants; six service desk library assistants.

The mandate is exhaustive; no category of publication is excluded.

The CNS is a special collection of the Memorial University Libraries

The CNS attempts to collect an exhaustive library of all published materials on Newfoundland and Labrador, retrospective and up to the present.

Classic Catalogue for books/reports: http://www.library.mun.ca/qeii/cns/ .
The Centre's digital archive: http://collections.mun.ca/
In-house research tools such as the PAB (for periodical literature): http://www.library.mun.ca/qeii/cns/pab.php ,
the Map Bibliography: http://www.library.mun.ca/qeii/maps/NLmapbib.php
and the NL Discography: http://www.library.mun.ca/qeii/cns/discography.php

The CNS is open every day during semester; weekdays have the longest hours, from 8:30am to 11pm. For up-to-date opening hours please visit this site: http://www.library.mun.ca/qeii/cns/cns_hours.php

All members of the general public are welcome. Researchers must show a recent photo ID. The reading room is a silent area. Food and drink are not allowed.

: Level 3, Queen Elizabeth II Library, Memorial University main campus, St. John’s, NL. The library has elevators and is wheel-chair accessible.

In-person help is available for questions and for research advice. Also, email service at cnsqeii@mun.ca and phone service at (709)864-7476.

Photocopying and scanning is available for a charge. Use of digital cameras is allowed.

The Centre offers a public area (with reading room, a reference help desk and a service help desk).