bibliographies: finding the information for an entry

The principal source of information when listing a work should be the work itself.

  • In the case of a monograph (book, pamphlet), the title page and overleaf are the sources of information.
  • For a work published in a series (periodical), the main source is the title page or, in the absence of a title page, the cover, the running title or the copyright page.
  • In the case of a computerized document, information for the bibliographic entry is found on the sticker on the disk, diskette or packaging.
  • For films and videotapes, the main sources of information are the credits and the packaging.

If any bibliographic details are missing and cannot be found in the principal source of information, scan the document itself or check library records.

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© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
A tool created and made available online by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada

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