Loans to other institutions

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) loans items to other Canadian institutions to support researchers when this material is not available anywhere other than in LAC’s holdings. LAC does not loan material to individuals.

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Scope of service

If LAC holds the only circulating copy of a monograph, serial issue, Canadian newspaper on microfilm or other published material, we provide a “lender of last resort” service to a library.

These materials are not available for loan:

  • material available from another lending institution (including digital formats, which may be found on websites such as LAC or other service providers)
  • microform copies of
    • archival materials
    • published materials (except Canadian newspapers on microfilm, which may be borrowed)
  • audio-visual materials
  • preservation copies, last copies, or other items where the risk of loss would permanently impact the preservation of Canada’s history
  • items that are fragile, unstable, or otherwise not suitable for shipping
  • archival holdings and pre-Confederation published works
  • material with access restrictions (for example, donor provisions, copyright exceptions, and legal obligations)
  • material in use, on loan, or temporarily out of circulation

Before you make your request

By requesting a loan, the library confirms that the material is not available in any format from another library or service provider.

The requesting library agrees to:

  • pay loan costs including shipping and any other costs agreed to in advance
  • comply with the Copyright Act, which protects the rights of creators
  • ensure that material is not reproduced (by photocopying, digitization, or photography) by staff or researchers without permission
  • keep borrowed material at the library and allow researchers to consult it onsite only
  • return material in the same condition it was received
  • assume financial responsibility for LAC’s insurance deductible if there is damage or loss resulting from any negligence of the institution or its clients

LAC reserves the right to decline any loan request. LAC does not consider fees or service standards of other libraries as factors in its loan decisions.

LAC does not loan to libraries in the National Capital Region. Researchers may consult material in the reading rooms at 395 Wellington Street in Ottawa.

Request a loan

Libraries that subscribe to OCLC WorldShare Interlibrary Loan may submit their requests for LAC materials through this service. Libraries that do not have an OCLC subscription may use the Loans to Other Institutions form. We do not accept loan requests through other systems for interlibrary loans (for example: VDX).

We will respond to loan requests within 30 business days. If the request is approved, the loan will be for 15 business days with no renewals.