The Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CISTI) is an institute of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). As Canada's national science library, NRC-CISTI ensures that Canadians have access to the STM information needed to support their research and innovation activities. As the library of NRC, NRC-CISTI supports the specific information needs of NRC.

NRC-CISTI's collection includes published information from around the world in all areas of physical and life sciences, engineering, technology, and health sciences. It is noted for its exceptional strength in serials and conference proceedings. The collection also includes numerous monographs and technical reports. NRC-CISTI's collection is the foundation for NRC-CISTI's internationally renowned document delivery service.

The NRC-CISTI Collection Development Policy defines the framework for developing and managing NRC-CISTI's collection to ensure that collection development is planned and occurs within the context of NRC-CISTI's mandate, vision, mission and strategic plan. The policy addresses the long-term needs of Canadians for STM information, while supporting the short-term strategic priorities of NRC-CISTI and NRC.

NRC-CISTI collects in the print format to ensure that Canadians have access to its collection through its onsite and document delivery services. NRC-CISTI negotiates access to resources in electronic format to serve the information needs of NRC. Access is negotiated for specific NRC sites or for the entire Council based on availability of funds. NRC-CISTI endeavours to secure permanent access and local loading of electronic content. NRC-CISTI is also pursuing agreements with publishers to allow the electronic collection to be used for NRC-CISTI's document delivery service.

The broad subject areas covered in NRC-CISTI's collection are STM, including multidisciplinary STM information. To support NRC-CISTI's strategic priorities and those of NRC institutes, branches and programs, certain STM related fields are also covered, such as business information to support activities such as commercialization, innovation and technology transfer; and health information to support Canadian health organizations. Materials peripheral to STM are acquired as needed to meet the research needs of NRC institutes.