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.
The European Union (EU) is a supranational organization that is 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 REF KJE926 .E52 2000 and Europe: A Concise Encyclopedia of the European Union from Aachen to Zollverein (4th ed.) INTL 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 (6th ed.) INTL KJE926.5 .R35 2000 is also available.
As when beginning research on most legal topics, research guides are an excellent place to start.