Services

The AJC does not hold copyrights for all of the records in its collections. It is the responsibility of the researcher to inquire about the copyright terms. The AJC cannot speak for the copyright terms of records in our holdings for which we do not hold the copyrights.

The AJC can transfer archival records, through reproduction processes, to researchers for personal research and study purposes. The photocopies or digitizations are provided for personal research and study purposes only, unless specified otherwise through a separate authorization.

The authorization for the receipt and use of copies is non-transferable, and is provided for the sole project/activity as cited in the agreement provided by AJC. All subsequent diffusion, copying and online access must be the object of a subsequent request to the AJC.

The researcher undertakes to ensure that the mandatory credit line/citation appears in all references to the documents provided.

The AJC can authorize the reproduction of records in its holdings for dissemination and publication purposes, either in print or digital form.

The authorization for the receipt and use of copies is non-transferable, and is provided for the sole project/activity as cited in the agreement provided by the AJC. All subsequent diffusion, copying and online access must be the object of a subsequent request to the AJC.

The researcher undertakes to ensure that the mandatory credit line/citation appears in all references to the documents provided.

Do you have an appointment at The Archives of the Jesuits in Canada (AJC), or are you thinking about visiting? The following is some key information.

Your visit: When you arrive, you will be asked to place any food and bulky items, such as coats, large bags, and umbrellas, in our cloakroom. You may bring your valuables into the Reference Room. You will then be asked to wash your hands before you handle any records. As we do not require researchers to wear gloves to consult textual materials, it is important that you avoid using hand lotion or sanitizer when you visit the AJC.

Accessibility: The AJC is accessible via the garage entrance on Boulevard St. Laurent. There are accessible bathrooms on the same floor, and a gender-inclusive bathroom on the first floor, accessible by elevator.

What we provide:

• Lead pencils, erasers, paper
• Removable paper flags, weights
• Magnifying glasses
• Gloves
• A water cooler and cardboard cups

What you can bring:

• Your own lead pencil, if desired
• A notebook
• Laptop, phone, chargers

Guidelines for handing records

• Always handle archival records with the utmost care. Avoid leaning on documents or lifting them up from the table.
• Never write on a box, file, or record, even in pencil.
• Consult files and records one at a time and preserve the order in which documents are arranged in a file, even if you do not perceive a particular order. Please use removable paper flags as place holders.
• Use lead pencils only. Ink markers and pens can damage records.
• When handling photographs, please wear gloves provided by an archivist.

Unsure about how to handle specific records or about our specific protocols? Do not hesitate to ask questions. We are here to help.

Tip: Working in the archive can be physically and emotionally challenging. At the AJC, we seek to create a supportive environment for our researchers. If you would like to take a break from the Reference Room in a quiet place, please let one of the archivists know.

The AJC allows researchers to photograph records, with the exception of photographs, negatives, and other graphic materials, according to the following guidelines: 

• Researchers may use a camera phone, a tablet, or a basic digital camera to photograph records. Flash should be disabled.
• All photos must be taken under existing lighting conditions in the Reference Room. Outside lighting equipment requires permission from the archivist.
• Please do not photograph materials that have access or use restrictions. If you are not sure, please ask an archivist.
• Photographs taken in the Reference Room are subject to copyright, privacy, and data protection legislation.
• Photographs taken by the researcher are for personal reference use only. If you would like to publish or share any images, please write to CANarchives@jesuites.org to request permission.
• We can provide high-resolution images (TIFF)

The AJC can provide high-quality digitizations for researchers. Please see the section Requests for Reproductions for details.

Tip: When taking photographs of archival materials, researchers are encouraged to also take photographs of boxes and folders to capture the metadata associated with them. This will make it easier for the researcher and the archivist to find the source information and cite materials properly.