Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has a number of regulations and services in place. Here’s a listing of some of the more important ones that you may wish to know about in advance.

Cloakroom and Lockers

Researchers are required to store personal effects such as coats, jackets, umbrellas, knapsacks, briefcases, purses and/or bags that exceed 25cm x 25cm x 30cm, in the cloakroom and/or lockers located on the main floor of the main building of LAC.

Researchers who plan to work in the Textual Documents Consultation Room or the Restricted Documents Consultation Room outside of regular office hours are required to store their research materials in specially assigned lockers located on the third floor of LAC.

Handling of research materials

Archival materials must be handled with the greatest amount of care. Researchers are advised to become familiar with the rules regarding the proper handling of records and to report any evidence of damage to the consultation rooms staff.

Note-taking

Only pencils, notebooks, and laptop computers may be used for note-taking purposes. LAC prohibits the use of pens, markers, dictaphones, and scanning devices.

Although cellular phones are permitted in the reference and consultation rooms they may only be used for accessing the Internet Wireless Access Service.

Reference archivists and librarians are available to provide researchers with assistance from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, except statutory holidays, in the Reference Services Room located on the 2nd floor of LAC.

Photocopies

Researchers at LAC do not make their own photocopies. If you would like to have copies of individual documents, someone on staff will make them for you. Just fill out the appropriate order forms and “flag” all the documents you wish to have copied. (The consultation rooms staff will provide you with the necessary forms and paper strips and will show you how to do all of this correctly.)

How quickly you can get photocopies made depends on the type of service you opt for and the amount of material you would like to have copied. With regular service, orders are processed within 30 days for a maximum of 500 copies. With rush service, orders are processed within 24 hours for a maximum of 100 copies. Every 100 copies requested thereafter up to 500 copies will take an additional 24 hours. (If you wish to know how long it would take to complete larger orders visit the LAC website at www.collectionscanada.ca. Click on the "Public" heading. Then, click on the "Photocopies and Reproductions" heading. Under the "Photocopies and Reproductions" heading, click on the "Price List and Service Standards" sub-heading. Under the "Price List and Service Standards" heading, click on the "Photocopy" sub-heading. Finally, scroll down to the table entitled "Service Standards" to find the information you require.)

As for the cost of photocopies it depends on the type of service you request. If you opt for regular service, each photocopy will cost you 40 cents unless you are a student or a senior citizen in which case it will cost you 30 cents. (To get these reduced rates you will need to provide some kind of an identification card. For students, a valid full-time photo identification card from an accredited institution will do. For seniors, a document indicating your date of birth (e.g., driver’s license, passport, birth certificate, etc.) will suffice.)

If you opt for rush service, each photocopy will cost you 80 cents unless you are a student or senior citizen in which case it will run you 60 cents. (Again, to get the reduced rate students and seniors will need to present appropriate identification.)

In addition to the cost of photocopying, you will be required to pay PST, GST, postage and handling fees.

All orders must be prepaid. You may do this in one of six ways: 1) You may prepay with a credit card (e.g., Mastercard, Visa, or American Express) by noting your credit card number and expiry date on your order form(s). When the copies have been made and are ready for mailing, the cost of photocopying, PST, GST, postage and handling will be charged to your credit card. 2) You may prepay by using your banking card (Interac). 3) You may prepay by cash. 4) You may prepay by cheque 5) You may prepay by money order 6) Or, you may wish to set up a deposit account with LAC. To open a deposit account you will need to deposit a minimum of $200.00 . If you are interested in this option, call the Accounting Operations of LAC at 819-934-4315.

Note: The aforementioned pertains to in-person orders. If you wish to know the response time for written requests visit the LAC web site at www.collectionscanada.ca. Click on the "Public" heading. Then, click on the "Photocopies and Reproductions" heading. Under the "Photocopies and Reproductions" heading, click on the "Price List and Service Standards" sub-heading. Under the "Price List and Service Standards" heading, click on the "Photocopy" sub-heading. Finally, scroll down to the table entitled "Service Standards" to find the information you require.

Self-Serve Digital Copying Service

Researchers at LAC may use their own digital and non-digital cameras to take photographs of unrestricted materials for the purposes of research and private study. There is no fee attached to this service, but it is only available from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, except statutory holidays. For further information regarding the terms and conditions surrounding the use of the Self-Serve Digital Copying Service visit the LAC web site at www.collectionscanada.ca. Click on the "Public" heading. Then, click on "Photocopies and Reproductions" heading. Under the "Photocopies and Reproductions" heading, click on the "Self-Serve Copying" sub-heading. Now, scroll down and click on the "Self-Serve Digital Copying" link.