Citations
Referencing archival materials can be challenging because they are unique and don't always provide the information used in standard citations. Use the guidelines below to cite digital images from this site. Any items seen in-person will follow a different format; contact the library for more assistance.
Remember to use a hanging indent, it will not display on this page.
Archival Photographs
MLA
Last Name, First Name. "Title: Subtitle." Date of creation. Photograph. Title of Website, Publisher. URL. Accessed Day Month Year
APA
Last Name, F. M. (Date of creation). Title [Photograph]. Title of website, Publisher. URL
If there is no creator/author, begin with the title, followed by the date:
Title [Photograph]. (Date of creation). Title of website, Publisher. URL
Special Considerations
Authors and Creators
Archival materials typically refer to 'creators' rather than 'authors'. For photographs, this is the photographer. For most of our items, the creator is unknown, and you will leave out the author information. Include enough of the title in your in-text citation to make it clear which of your sources you're referring to.
Dates
Many of our items are undated or have 'circa' dates. For undated items, follow the guidelines of the style you are using. For circa dates in APA, include 'ca.' before the date in your reference. In MLA, spell out 'Circa'.
For the photo to the left, titled "Brownell at desk":
MLA
"Brownell at Desk". Circa 1978. Photograph. Archive Services Digital Collections, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. https://rccc_exhibits.libraryhost.com/s/digital/item/122. Accessed 1 January 2025.
In-Text Citation: ("Brownell at Desk")
APA
"Brownell at desk" [Photograph]. (ca. 1978). Archive Services Digital Collections, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. https://rccc_exhibits.libraryhost.com/s/digital/item/122.
In-Text Citation: ("Brownell at desk", ca. 1978)