European Union Research Guide

Like the European Union itself, this guide is large and can be confusing. If you know what part of the EU or its documents you’re looking for, use the table of contents on the left to go to a specific section. Otherwise, take your time and feel free to reread sections as necessary. Also, remember that you can set up appointments with librarians if you need more in-depth help navigating the EU and its copious document trail.

A Little About the European Union…

The European Union (EU) is a supranational organization currently composed of 27 European countries. The member countries have decided to adopt uniform laws on a number of issues related to their economies, finances, and security. The EU has a long history and its name has changed several times. For more on its origins, read this brief history of the European Union.

For more information, see the Encyclopedia of the European Union (KJE926 .E52 2000) and Europe: A Concise Encyclopedia of the European Union from Aachen to Zollverein (JN30 .L43 2004).

Like the U.S. government’s love of alphabet soup, the EU is no stranger to jargon. It will help to have a glossary handy for definitions of unfamiliar terminology. If you prefer something in print, Eurojargon: A Dictionary of European Union Acronyms, Abbreviations and Sobriquets (KJE926.5 .R35 2000) is also available.

Where to Start

As with most topics, research guides are an excellent place to start when beginning research.

• GlobaLex: Understanding European Union Legal Materials
  The guide discusses the various EU entities; how to obtain EU legislation, case law, and treaties; and also includes information on recent articles about the EU.
• Columbia Law Library: European Union Legal Materials
  This very comprehensive guide covers much of the same content addressed in other research guides, but also includes coverage of key developments (such as enlargement, the introduction of the Euro, and the Treaty of Lisbon) as well as practical advice on searching for EU legislation by CELEX number.
• The European Union: A Very Short Introduction JN30 .P55 2018
  This small volume (less than 200 pages) takes a look at the evolution of the EU from its origins as the European Steel and Coal Community in 1953 to the behemoth organization it has become. The book describes how the EU has grown (and what that growth means for the future), discusses its myriad institutions, and explains what it does for its member countries.

Public domain image via Wikimedia Commons

• Revised May 2025 (dei)
• Updated October 2022 (dei)
• Revised December 2021 (hec)
• Revised June 2013 (hec)