European Documentation Centre

 

The European Documentation Centre (EDC) is a collection of material published by the European Union. It is located on the 4th Floor of the University Library. Its purpose is to enable study of European integration at Reading and to make the information available to the general public.

What is held in the Reading EDC?

Nowadays, most EU information is available electronically on the Europa website, or linked to from that site. However, some print items, CD-ROMs, and DVDs are still distributed to EDCs.

Current issues of journals are kept in the EDC itself, but most material is classified and integrated with the rest of the Library stock.

Historical material is also held in the EDC. This consists of:

Legislation

• Treaties
• Secondary legislation, such as directives and regulations published in the Official journal of the European Union 'C' (information and notices' (also available online from 1998)

Documentation

• Official journal of the European Union 'C' (information and notices' (also available online from 1998)
• Commission working documents and COM documents (legislative proposals and communications from the European Commission) 1974 - April 2003
• Economic and Social Committee opinions 1984 - 2003
• European Parliament debates 1983/84 - May 1999. Available online from April 1996.
• European Parliament reports 1967/68 - 1997
  (microfiche 1989/90 - 1997). Available online from 1996.

Tracing information

Search the Unicorn catalogue for details of books and periodicals held here.

Use indexes, encyclopedias and guides held in the Library such as:

• EU brief  
  EDC--341.184-MYL
• Encyclopedia of European Community law  
  341.184-ENC
• Encyclopedia of European Union law  
  341.184-ENC
• European information: a guide to official sources  
  4th Floor Reference--337.914-OVE
• European Union encyclopedia and directory
  4th Floor Reference--337.914-EUR

Search Databases (only available to staff and students of the University of Reading) and the free database ECLAS

Consult the guide to Finding European Union information and publications for a list of useful web sites.

Contact Europe Direct the EU's information service for citizens and businesses.

Access and services 

• The University's EDC is based on the 4th Floor of the University Library.
• Most EDC material is accessible when the Library is open - see our Opening hours for details. Some EDC items on kept on closed access or in the Library's Off-site Store and need to be requested in advance of visiting. See Requesting items from Store and Closed Access collections for more information on getting these items.
• Staff are normally available to help you Monday - Thursday 09:00 - 17:00, and Fridays 10:00 - 17:00.
• Anyone from the University and the local area is welcome to use the EDC for reference. However, only holders of a University of Reading Campus/Access or Library Card may borrow.
• Self-service photocopiers are available.
• Staff can photocopy small amounts of material to be posted or faxed in answer to telephone or written requests. Please ask about current charges.

Further information

For more information contact the EDC Librarian Ross Connell.

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