How to search by collection code in Aurora
Search for published works using collection, format or shelving location codes.
On this page
Search using codes and indexes
There are different types of codes that can help narrow your search for published items:
- Collection code (all the publications in a selected collection): ot=
- Format code (all the publications in one format): mt:
- Shelving location index (all the publications in one location): b8:
Basic search
You can use the above codes in a basic search. Enter the codes or indexes from the collections list below in the empty search box that appears on every page of the catalogue.
If you want to search more than one collection or format at a time, you can enter them all, separated by the word OR in capital letters, for example, ot=coll11 OR ot=coll20.
Advanced search
Look for specific items within a collection by doing an advanced search. For example, you may want to search the Lowy Collection for books about the Dead Sea Scrolls.
On the Advanced search page:
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In the search field beside “Keyword,” enter a code or index from the collections list below, for example, ot=coll4.
- If you want to search more than one collection at a time, you can enter them all, separated by the word OR, for example, ot=coll11 OR ot=coll20.
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Enter your search terms (for example, keywords, author name or title) in the second and third search fields.
- You can change the options to “Keyword” or keep them as “Author” or “Title.”
- Click the Search button or hit Enter on your keyboard.
See the How to do library research page for more information on searching by keyword or subject.
Collection list
Alphabetical by title. Click on the code or index link for a full list of publications in that collection.
| Collection | Description | Dates | Code or index |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian children’s literature | Includes items from the former PIKA Canadian children’s literature database (ot:coll6) as well as more recent publications (mt:juv). If you would like to expand your search to include non-Canadian literature, you can remove “AND ot=cci1icc” from the search. |
1744‑present | (ot=coll6 OR mt:juv) AND ot=cci1icc |
| Electronic publications | Includes items that were digitized from print versions as well as newer items that were created as digital objects. To access digital items, click the “Access online” button. If there isn’t one, look for links in the “More information” field of the record. There are only a few records for items published after 2017. |
1490‑2017 | ot=coll11 OR ot=coll20 |
| Federal government publications | Mostly publications from the federal government of Canada but includes publications of some foreign governments that discuss what is now Canada. If you would like to expand your search to include more non-Canadian sources, you can remove “AND ot=cci1icc” from the search. |
1627‑present | (ot=coll14 OR mt:ngp) AND ot=cci1icc |
| Federal Royal Commissions and Commissions of Inquiry | Includes final and interim reports of federal Royal Commissions and Commissions of Inquiry, from the Commission to Inquire into the Present State and Probable Requirements of the Civil Service (1868–1870) to the Commission of Inquiry into the Investigation of the Bombing of Air India Flight 182 (2006–2010). Also includes briefs and other submissions for most commissions. For direct links to online versions of the final reports, consult the Federal Royal Commissions and Commissions of Inquiry collection of the Government of Canada Web Archive. |
1869‑2010 | ot=coll90 |
| French-Canadian newspapers | First, last and special editions of over 180 French-Canadian newspapers. The newspapers come from just over 50 cities across Canada. You can contact Research Support for a full list of the cities by filling out our online form. The number of digitized issues varies. Generally, only a single issue is available. |
1808‑1919 | ot=coll102 |
| Glenn Gould | For publications including books, musical scores and sound recordings. Also includes many books from Gould’s personal collection that were transferred to the library collection from his archival fonds (published materials series R13915-16-1-E). For publications by Gould, you can search for his name as an author: au="Gould, Glenn”. For publications about him, you can search for his name as a subject: su: "Gould, Glenn". |
1950s‑present | ot=coll91 |
| Jacob M. Lowy Collection | Old and rare Hebraica and Judaica, plus specialized reference works. Spans religious, scientific, historical and philosophical thought. Includes texts in Hebrew, Yiddish, Judeo-Arabic, Judeo-Spanish, Latin, Greek and numerous European vernacular languages. Over 6,000 volumes printed between the 15th and 21st centuries. Note that not all items are catalogued in Aurora. See the Jacob M. Lowy Collection web page for more details and contact information. |
1470‑present | ot=coll4 |
| Merrilees Transportation Collection |
Most items are about railways and shipping. Other subjects:
Just under 5,000 publications of several types:
Covers Canadian companies very well and includes some information about American and other foreign organizations and individuals. |
About 1840 to about 1970 | ot=coll12 |
| Public opinion research reports | Print and electronic copies of the results of public opinion research carried out by the federal government. Prior to 2006, most reports are print only. Starting August 1, 2006, it became mandatory for departments to deposit final reports with LAC within six months of the completion of the data collection. For more details, see our Public opinion research web pages. |
1990s‑present | ot=coll27 OR ot=coll28 |
| Rare books | The Rare Book Collection collects Canadiana printed before Confederation and rare Canadiana printed after Confederation. It also includes a number of subject-based special collections, for example, Bell Features comic books. Note that not all items are catalogued in Aurora. For more details, including contact information, please see our Rare Book Collection web page. |
1454‑present | b8:reserve |
| Sheet music, historic collection | Includes patriotic and parlour songs, piano pieces, sacred music and novelty numbers, some dating back to the 1700s. Besides Canadian imprints, it includes music by Canadians or about Canada published anywhere in the world. Many of the cover illustrations are of particular interest. | 1700s‑present | Whole collection: ot=coll17 Pre-1900: ot=coll16 1900–1913: ot=coll21 1914–1919: ot=coll15 |
| Theses Canada | Includes many dissertations and theses from universities across Canada. Search using this method if you are already using Aurora to find other types of material or if you need to place a request to consult a hard copy thesis. You can also use the Theses Canada database to search this collection, which includes the ability to narrow your search by degree or school. For more information about the collection, see our Theses Canada help pages. |
1833‑present | ot=coll18 OR ot=coll19 |
| Virtual Gramophone | Includes records of cylinders and 78 rpm recordings. Each record provides information such as title and performer, relevant dates and details about the label and disc. Use the Virtual Gramophone database to see if there are digitized versions of labels or recordings available. |
1890s‑1960s | ot=coll24 |
| We Are Here: Sharing Stories | Items related to Indigenous Peoples and cultures in our published collections were digitized as part of the We Are Here: Sharing Stories initiative. For more details and the complete list of digitized items, see We Are Here: Sharing Stories. |
1809‑1972 | ot=coll104 |
Access the publications
You can consult unrestricted digital publications online using the search tools above. To access digital items, click the “Access online” button. If there isn’t one, look for links in the “More information” field of the record.
To consult restricted digital publications or hard copy publications, you will need to visit our Ottawa location. For help ordering materials, visit Order published material in Ottawa.