Bibliothèque nationale de France
Collections, catalogues, exhibitions, digital resources and visitor information from France's national library.
Screenshot captured on an unrecorded date. The current website may have changed.
Identify a particular edition
Search author, title and year, then retain the matching bibliographic identifier.
Check first: Different editions and translations may have different pagination.
Compare this resource with other directory records →
Compare an ISBN or ISSN with the publication you are citing →
Choose a documentary entry point at the BnF
- Catalogue
- Search a record.
- Digital library
- Examine a digitized document.
- Identify the type of document sought.
- Choose General Catalogue, Archives and manuscripts or Gallica.
- Keep the record before seeking available content.
Fictional example: a reader finds a book reference in the catalogue but wants a reproduction. She keeps the record and checks digital access separately rather than confusing description with full text.
Your useful record: Catalogue used, record, document type and observed access.
A bibliographic reference does not imply accessible digitization.
Editorial method informed by BnF — Entrées des catalogues. Documentation consulted on . Examples are fictional exercises, not results from a live service test.
Connect a record, a document and its page
At BnF, an ARK can identify a record or digital document. Check the target object.
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Record | Describes a bibliographic reference. |
| Digital document | Identifies the digitised document. |
| / qualifier | Can identify a component, such as a page. |
| . qualifier | Can identify a variant or service. |
Try the reasoning
Illustrative situation. You need to cite a passage, but your saved link only opens a record.
Read the explanation
Find the document, then keep its permanent link and the reference for the page consulted.
Documentation for the table : BnF — L’identifiant ARK · . The exercise is an editorial example.
Choose the catalogue for the document type
The BnF presents several research tools: its general catalogue, Archives et manuscrits and Gallica. They serve different needs. Finding a record does not mean the document has been digitised or is immediately accessible.
- Catalogue
- Identify a bibliographic reference and its copies.
- Archives
- Find collections, manuscripts and archival descriptions.
- Gallica
- Read the digitised documents available.
- Separate collective catalogue
- CCFr is listed separately from the General Catalogue.
Source: BnF — Entrées des catalogues · consulted on - Data and collections
- The page distinguishes data.bnf.fr and Gallica among its resources.
Source: BnF — Entrées des catalogues · consulted on
Does a catalogue record always provide the full text?
No. Check digitisation links and the document’s consultation conditions.
Initial profile documentation
Initial profile documentation consulted on . Added details carry their own source and consultation date above.
Work, edition, format and copy: four different levels
An ISBN identifies a publication in a particular edition and format. Match the identifier to the record and the document actually used.
- Identify the edition
- Compare the format
- Check the individual copy
| Situation | What changes | Useful check |
|---|---|---|
| Same title, different translation | A shared title does not identify the required text. | Record translator, language, publisher and edition. |
| Print and EPUB | Different product forms receive different ISBNs. | Do not automatically transfer pagination between formats. |
| Well-formed ISBN | The check digit helps detect errors in the number. | Check the record: the digit establishes neither assignment nor availability. |
A cover does not replace the title page and edition details. For a loan or purchase, also check the volume, condition and availability with its holder.
Documentation : International ISBN Agency — What is an ISBN? ↗ ·
Editorial selection, without website certification. Read our method.