Where and how to find a document?

Our multi-script catalogue  

Since the BULAC's creation, constantly updating our multi-script catalogue has always been a major priority for us. This catalogue now integrates the search function and the bibliographic description of works in non-Latin characters in two forms:  

• In the original characters. The description of the work (authors' names, titles, bibliographic address) respects the language's written form and writing order on the page. BULAC keeps up to date with the development of Unicode so our online catalogue can be enriched by new scripts each time the standard is updated.  
• In transliteration or transcription of non-Latin scripts. The descriptive elements of a non-Latin work are Romanized: each original character is transcribed using a Latin character with accents if necessary (transliteration) or its phonetic transposition (transcription). This mode of description was the only method available before 2000 and was used after this date along with the addition of the original characters to make searches easier for non-specialist users and to get around any technical difficulties. Any transliteration or transcription work is carried out according to the international standards adopted by the BULAC and by the collective catalogue of France’s university libraries, SUDOC.   

The online catalogue does not yet cover all languages because of current difficulties in entering text in certain scripts.  

Also the original characters are not present on a systematic basis as they were included at different times according to the language concerned. The use of transliterations when searching is therefore still advisable.    

Digitization requests  

The BULAC offers a digitization service for documents dating from before 1922 (identified by a coloured icon in the online catalogue).  

You can make digitization or reproduction requests with the catalogue by using your reader account.

To do so, you first need to have pre-registered [link to "Pre-register online "].  

You will receive a price quote for all requests for copies (cost per page of the original document: 0.40€ from 1 to 20 pages; 0.25€ over 20 pages).  

Documents are digitized in 3 to 5 days following our reception of your payment.

Please note that the library may have to refuse a reproduction request particularly if:  

• the document cannot be reproduced for copyright reasons;
• the condition of the document means it cannot be copied;
• the document is already available in digital version.

Inter-library loans  

With the BULAC's inter-library loans service (PEB) you can get documents from the BULAC via your home library or obtain reproductions of those documents. Please note that this service is only available for documents which are physically located at the BULAC.  

The cost of this service depends on the current prices and is as follows:  

• For libraries outside France, except the National Diet Library in Tokyo: 1 IFLA voucher (or 8€) per document made available; 1 IFLA voucher for every 15 pages for document copies.
• For the National Diet Library in Tokyo: documents are made available at no cost; 5€ for 10 pages then 2.50€ for extra groups of 10 pages for document copies.  For further information: peb [at] bulac.fr.