Citing LAC material

​​​If you use Library and Archives Canada (LAC) material in your research, you must include information about this material in your work using citations and credit lines. The information you give depends on the type of material.

Citations

Use citations to give complete information about the material you used.

Credit lines

Use credit lines to briefly state the source of material that is reproduced in your work.

Credit lines in textual works

For textual works, place the credit line directly below or beside the material that was used. Include the following information, as a minimum:

  • the name of the creator (if known)
  • the words "Library and Archives Canada" (or "LAC" in subsequent credit lines in same work)
  • the reference number and title
  • the words "detail" or "based on" if any changes were made to the image, such as cropping or retouching

Credit lines for television, film, video, or slide presentations

Mention Library and Archives Canada in a single line in the credits for television, film, video, or slide presentations.

Examples of citations and credit lines for archival records

  • Text documents from the Government of Canada

    Citation

    Library and Archives Canada, Department of External Affairs fonds, RG25-A-3-b, volume 2888, file 2258-40, part 1, "Visits to U.K., U.S.S.R., and China of Dr. Wilder Penfield", 1941/07/22-1960/07/27, reproduction number C-003856.

    Credit line

    Library and Archives Canada, RG25-A-3-b, volume 2888, file 2258-40, part 1, C-003856.

  • Text documents from private archives

    Citation

    Library and Archives Canada, Alexander Tilloch Galt fonds, MG27-ID8, "Family correspondence" series, volume 8, page 3316, letter from Elliot Galt to Mrs. A.T. Galt, 19 June 1898, reproduction number C-147457.

    Credit line

    Library and Archives Canada, MG27-ID8, volume 8, page 3316, C-147457.

  • Film, video and sound recordings

    Citation

    Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation fonds, accession number 1980-0275, item number ISN 9286, "Weekend", 2 November 1969, video, 90 minutes.

    Credit line

    Library and Archives Canada, accession 1980-0275, item ISN 9286.

  • Photographs

    Citation

    Library and Archives Canada, William Lyon Mackenzie King collection, accession number 1964-087, item number 128, "Rt. Hon. Winston Churchill", 30 December 1941, Ottawa, photograph by Yousuf Karsh, reproduction number C-012600.

    Credit line

    Yousuf Karsh, Library and Archives Canada, accession 1964-087, item 128, C-012600.

  • Art

    Citation

    Library and Archives Canada, Jean-Joseph Girouard fonds, accession number 1984-81-4, "Amable Berthelot, Montreal Prison, 1838", circa 1838, pencil, by Jean-Joseph Girouard, reproduction numbers C-133449 and C-128317.

    Credit line

    Jean-Joseph Girouard, Library and Archives Canada, accession 1984-81-4, C-133449 and C-128317.

  • Maps

    Citation

    Library and Archives Canada, reference number H3/340/Quebec/[1822], "City of Quebec. Engraved by E. Bennet", scale 1:3,900, 1 map, reproduction number NMC1638.

    Credit line

    E. Bennet, Library and Archives Canada, H3/340/Quebec/[1822], NMC1638.

  • Plans

    Citation

    Library and Archives Canada, J. A. Ewart collection, R10145, accession number 76703/13, item 6, "Technical School, Albert Street, Ottawa, Drawing No. 1, Basement Floor Plan", scale 8 feet = 1 inch [1918], reproduction number NMC93954.

    Credit line

    J. A. Ewart, Library and Archives Canada, R10145, accession 76703/13, item 6, NMC93954.

  • Stamps

    Citation

    Library and Archives Canada, [Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited], item number 1989-565.000355-001, "Alberta, Saskatchewan, 1905-1955, Canada, 30 June 1955, 50 cents", stamp, reproduction number POS-000410.

    Credit line

    Library and Archives Canada, item 1989-565.000355-001, POS-000410.

  • Electronic records

    Citation

    Library and Archives Canada, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer fonds, RG113, G0000894, "Election results", 1979, 153650 records.

    Credit line

    Library and Archives Canada, RG113, G0000894.

Examples of citations for published material

You may use the styles in the examples, or you may be required to use another style.

  • Books

    Kell, Ronald. The Postal History of the District of Assiniboia. Toronto: Unitrade Press, 1987.

  • Magazine or journal articles

    Dempsey, Hugh A. “The Calgary–Edmonton Trail.” Alberta Historical Review, vol. 7, no. 4, 1959, pp. 16–21.

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