Canadian Library Directory

You may register information about your library's interlibrary loan (ILL) policies and copy services in the Canadian Library Directory, and receive a Canadian Library Symbol. Alternatively, you may choose to request a symbol only. You may also search the directory to find loan information about other libraries.

On this page

Add your library to the directory

You may add your library's contact information, ILL policies, and get a Canadian Library Symbol.

  1. Use the form Apply for a new library symbol
  2. Complete the 11 steps, which ask for information about:
    • your library
    • your contact person
    • ILL policies and charges
    • photocopy and fax policies and charges
  3. Click the Submit button

After you submit your information

LAC will send you an email acknowledging your request. You will get an email with your library symbol within 5 working days.

Update your library's information

If you have already entered your library's information in the directory, you may update it.

  1. Use the form Search for Canadian libraries, and find the Search by Canadian Library Symbol box at the top of the page
  2. Enter your library's symbol and click the Search button
  3. Click the Edit this information button at the top of the page in the next window
  4. Scroll through the steps to edit your information
  5. Click the Submit button

After you update your information

Most updates to contact and policy information will appear in the directory soon after you send them. LAC staff will review comments or notes and translate them (if necessary) within 5 working days.

Apply for a Canadian Library Symbol only

Follow these instructions to apply for a Canadian Library Symbol only and avoid completing ILL policy information:

  1. Use the form Apply for a new library symbol
  2. Complete steps 1 and 2 (about your library and contact information)
  3. Select no everywhere at Step 3 (about ILL policies)
  4. Enter any comments in the next window
  5. Click the Submit button

After you apply

LAC will send you an email acknowledging your request. You will get an email with your library symbol within 5 working days.

Report that your library is closing or merging

You may change the status of your library to notify others that you are no longer providing ILL services. Your symbol will remain in the directory with the new status.

  1. Use the form My library is closing or merging
  2. Enter your Canadian Library Symbol and email address
  3. Choose one of these status types:
    • Closed means that your library has shut down and the collection is dispersed
    • Merged means that your library has been incorporated with another library (the database will indicate superseded by)
  4. Click the Submit button

Find information about another library

You may search for Canadian libraries to find this information about another library:

  • bilingual names
  • symbols such as Canadian Library Symbol and OCLC symbols
  • website and catalogue links
  • contact information
  • ILL and photocopy policies (such as loans of monographs and serials, charges for services, payment methods, items that are not for loan, and renewals)

See search help for more details.