How Do I Reference The Bnf

How Do I Reference the BNF? A Comprehensive Guide to Citing the Bibliothèque nationale de France

The Bibliothèque nationale de France (BNF), or National Library of France, holds an unparalleled collection of books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and other materials spanning centuries. Researchers frequently consult its resources, but accurately referencing these materials can be challenging. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, providing clear examples and addressing common questions. We'll cover various types of resources, including books, manuscripts, online resources, and images, ensuring you can correctly cite the BNF in your academic work, publications, or research papers.

Understanding BNF Citations: Key Considerations

Before diving into specific examples, it's crucial to understand the fundamental principles of BNF referencing. Accuracy is paramount. A poorly cited reference undermines the credibility of your work. Key considerations include:

• Specificity: Provide as much detail as possible to allow others to easily locate the source. This includes precise titles, dates, call numbers (cote), and any relevant identifiers.
• Consistency: Maintain a consistent citation style throughout your work. Choose a style guide (e.g., Chicago, MLA, APA) and adhere to its rules diligently.
• Accessibility: While the BNF's online catalog is helpful, many materials are not digitized. Consider the accessibility of your sources for your audience.
• Copyright: Always respect copyright laws. Only use material legally permissible for your purposes.

Referencing Books from the BNF

The most common type of resource accessed from the BNF is the book. Referencing a book requires meticulous attention to detail. Here's a breakdown of the information you need and how to present it using the Chicago Manual of Style (Author-Date system):

Information Needed:

• Author(s): Last name, First name (or initials).
• Title: Full title of the book, including subtitle if applicable. Italicize the title.
• Edition: If not the first edition, specify the edition (e.g., 2nd ed.).
• Place of Publication: City of publication.
• Publisher: Name of the publisher.
• Year of Publication: Year the book was published.
• BNF Cote (Call Number): The unique identifier assigned by the BNF. This is crucial for verifying the specific copy consulted.

Example Citation (Chicago Author-Date):

(Note: Replace bracketed information with actual details)

[Author, First Name]. [Title of Book]. [Edition]. [Place of Publication]: [Publisher], [Year of Publication]. BNF Cote: [Cote Number].

Example:

Smith, John. A History of France. 3rd ed. Paris: Gallimard, 1995. BNF Cote: 8-40632-109-X.

Referencing Manuscripts at the BNF

Manuscripts require a slightly different approach due to their unique characteristics. Beyond the basic bibliographic information, consider including:

• Manuscript Reference Number: The specific number assigned to the manuscript within the BNF's collection. This is essential for identification.
• Collection Name (if applicable): Some manuscripts belong to specific collections within the BNF.
• Date of Manuscript (or date range): The approximate date of creation.

Example Citation (Chicago Notes-Bibliography System):

John Smith, “Title of Manuscript,” Bibliothèque nationale de France, Manuscrits, [Manuscript Reference Number], [Collection Name] (if applicable), [Date of Manuscript or Date Range].

Example:

Smith, John. “A Medieval Poem.” Bibliothèque nationale de France, Manuscrits, Fr. 2034, Collection des Manuscrits Français, ca. 1450.

Referencing Online Resources from the BNF's Gallica Digital Library

The BNF's Gallica digital library offers a vast amount of digitized materials. When citing a resource from Gallica, include:

• Author (if known): Last name, First name (or initials).
• Title: Full title of the work. Italicize the title.
• Date of Original Publication (or Creation): Year or date range of the original material.
• Date of Access: The date you accessed the material online.
• URL: The persistent URL (if available) to the item on Gallica.

Example Citation (Chicago Author-Date):

[Author, First Name]. [Title of Work]. [Date of Original Publication]. Accessed [Date of Access], [URL].

Example:

Voltaire, François-Marie Arouet de. Candide. 1759. Accessed June 26, 2024, [Insert Gallica URL here].

Referencing Images and Photographs from the BNF

Images and photographs require detailed information about the item itself and its location within the BNF's collection. Include:

• Photographer/Creator (if known): Last name, First name (or initials).
• Title (if available): Title of the photograph or image.
• Date (if known): The date the image was created.
• BNF Identifier: The specific identifier assigned to the image within the BNF's collection. This often includes a negative number or other identifying information.
• Medium: Specify the medium (e.g., photograph, print, drawing).

Example Citation (Chicago Notes-Bibliography System):

[Photographer/Creator, First Name]. “[Title of Image],” [Date of Creation], [Medium], Bibliothèque nationale de France, [BNF Identifier].

Example:

Unknown. “[Portrait of Marie Antoinette],” ca. 1780, Photograph, Bibliothèque nationale de France, N0012345.

Handling Multiple Authors and Editors

When referencing works with multiple authors or editors, the citation style you choose will dictate the format. Generally, you'll list all authors' last names followed by their first initials, or up to three authors followed by "et al." for more than three. For edited works, indicate this clearly in your citation.

Dealing with Anonymous Works or Works with Uncertain Authorship

If a work is anonymous or its authorship is uncertain, use "Anonymous" or "Anonymous" in the author position.

Using Different Citation Styles

While the examples above use the Chicago style, other styles (e.g., MLA, APA) have their own formatting requirements. Consult the specific style guide's guidelines for proper formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What if I can't find the BNF cote?

A: Try searching the BNF's online catalog using the book's title and author. If you still can't locate it, try using other identifying information you might have. Consider stating in the citation that the cote is unavailable if you are unable to locate it.

Q: What should I do if the BNF catalog is down?

A: Document the date you attempted to access the information and any relevant error messages. You can include a note in your bibliography indicating the temporary inaccessibility.

Q: Can I cite a personal communication with a BNF librarian?

A: While you wouldn't formally cite this in your bibliography, you may include a footnote or endnote acknowledging the assistance you received.

Q: What if I'm using a translated work held by the BNF?

A: Cite both the original work and the translation, indicating which you consulted.

Conclusion

Accurately citing sources from the Bibliothèque nationale de France is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and ensuring the reproducibility of your research. By carefully following the guidelines outlined in this guide and adapting them to your chosen citation style, you can ensure that your references are complete, accurate, and readily verifiable. Remember to always double-check your citations for accuracy before submitting your work. Consult the BNF's website or a relevant style guide for the most up-to-date information and for additional complexities not covered here. This detailed approach to referencing BNF materials contributes significantly to the reliability and scholarly impact of your research.