Crediting and citing Library and Archives 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.
On this page
General
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
"Visits to U.K., U.S.S.R., and China of Dr. Wilder Penfield," 1941/07/22-1960/07/27, Department of External Affairs fonds, RG25-A-3-b, volume 2888, file 2258-40, part 1, reproduction number C-003856, Library and Archives Canada.
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
Elliot Galt to Mrs. A.T. Galt, 19 June 1898, Alexander Tilloch Galt fonds, MG27-ID8, "Family correspondence" series, volume 8, page 3316, reproduction number C-147457, Library and Archives Canada.
Credit line
Library and Archives Canada, MG27-ID8, volume 8, page 3316, C-147457.
Film, video and sound recordings
Citation
"Weekend", 2 November 1969, video, 90 minutes, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation fonds, accession number 1980-0275, item number ISN 9286, Library and Archives Canada
Credit line
Library and Archives Canada, accession 1980-0275, item ISN 9286.
Photographs
Citation
Yousuf Karsh. Rt. Hon. Winston Churchill. 30 December 1941, Ottawa. William Lyon Mackenzie King fonds, accession number 1964-087, item number 128, reproduction number C-012600, Library and Archives Canada
Credit line
Yousuf Karsh / William Lyon Mackenzie King fonds / Library and Archives Canada / C-012600
Art
Citation
Jean-Joseph Girouard. "Amable Berthelot, Montreal Prison, 1838", circa 1838, pencil. Jean-Joseph Girouard Fonds, accession number 1984-81-4, reproduction numbers C-133449 and C-128317, Library and Archives Canada.
Credit line
Jean-Joseph Girouard, Library and Archives Canada, accession 1984-81-4, C-133449 and C-128317.
Maps
Citation
"City of Quebec. Engraved by E. Bennet", [1822], scale 1:3,900, H3/340/Quebec/[1822], reproduction number NMC1638, Library and Archives Canada.
Credit line
E. Bennet, Library and Archives Canada, H3/340/Quebec/[1822], NMC1638.
Plans
Citation
"Technical School, Albert Street, Ottawa, Drawing No. 1, Basement Floor Plan", [1918], scale 8 feet = 1 inch, J. A. Ewart collection, R10145, accession number 76703/13, item 6, reproduction number NMC93954, Library and Archives Canada.
Credit line
J. A. Ewart, Library and Archives Canada, R10145, accession 76703/13, item 6, NMC93954.
Stamps
Citation
"Alberta, Saskatchewan, 1905-1955, Canada, 30 June 1955, 50 cents", stamp, [Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited], item number 1989-565.000355-001, reproduction number POS-000410, Library and Archives Canada.
Credit line
Library and Archives Canada, item 1989-565.000355-001, POS-000410.
Electronic records
Citation
"Election results", 1979, 153650 records, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer fonds, RG113, G0000894, Library and Archives Canada.
Credit line
Library and Archives Canada, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer fonds, RG113, G0000894, "Election results", 1979, 153650 records.
Censuses
Citation
Statistics Canada fonds, RG31, 1921 Census of Canada, Alberta, District number 6, sub-district number 66, page 6. Image number E002859855, Library and Archives Canada.
Credit line
Library and Archives Canada, RG31, 1921 Census of Canada, District 6, sub-district 66, page 6, E002859855.
Examples of citations for published material
You may use the styles in the examples, or you may be required to use another style.
Citation
Kell, Ronald. The Postal History of the District of Assiniboia. Toronto: Unitrade Press, 1987.
Citation
Dempsey, Hugh A. “The Calgary–Edmonton Trail.” Alberta Historical Review, vol. 7, no. 4, 1959, pp. 16–21.