Search Help

The Library and Archives Canada site search allows you to do keyword searching of the main site pages, or expand your search to all pages of the website.

Main Pages

Main pages are designated as:

• introductory pages of Library and Archives Canada's digital products and services;
• all "Browse Selected Topics" pages;
• key pages about Library and Archives Canada and our collection and services;
• specialized user pages such as "For Libraries" and "For Archivists".

Search Tips

• Use quotation marks to search for phrases e.g. "prime minister"
• If you enter more than one word in the search box, the search engine automatically puts "and" between the words
• Start by searching the main pages, then expand your search if you don't find what you are looking for

Search Results

Search results are sorted by relevancy; pages where your search word(s) occur most will be listed first and main pages will be listed before lower site pages.

Advanced Search

"Advanced Search" allows you to combine up to three search terms. You can search whole Web pages, or limit your search to titles, descriptions or subject terms. Only main pages have descriptions and subject terms applied.

Browse Subject Terms

"Browse Subject Terms" allows you to view the list of all subject terms that have been applied to the main site pages and select a term for searching.

Search Other Databases

"Search Other Databases" provides links to AMICUS, the national online catalogue, and ArchiviaNet, our online archival database, as well as to searchable digital collections and research tools organized by topic. The website search does not search these databases.