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:

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:

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.

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2025-07-30