FAQ: Where can I find the information I need to create a citation for a book or eBook?

Locating Information For a Book or eBook Citation

To cite a book correctly, look for the necessary details on the cover, title page, and copyright page. If you need more guidance on what to include in your citation, refer to the style guide required for your course. Here is a list of the usual information you need for a book or eBook citation and where to find it. Keep in mind that the location of this information can change depending on the publisher.

1. Author(s) and/or Editor(s): This is on the cover or title page.
   • Exception: If the work has been published in an anthology or collection, individual chapters are written by different authors.  The author's information will be listed at the beginning of the chapter and on the table of contents.
2. Title: This is on the cover and the title page.
   • Exception: If citing a source from an anthology or collection, you will also need the chapter title which can be found in the table of contents or the first page of the chapter. 
3. Edition: This can be found on the cover, title page, and copyright page (this is usually listed after the title page). If it's a first edition, this information may not be listed. 
4. Publisher: This can be found on the cover, title page, and copyright page.
5. Publication Date: Use the copyright date listed on the copyright page.
6. Page Numbers: These can be found at the top or bottom of the pages you are using.
7. DOI, Stable URL, or Permalink: For eBooks only. This will be located in the e-record of eBook. Look for labels like stable URL or DOI to find the link. Sometimes it will be on the side or bottom of the page of a downloaded PDF. 

 Title Page and Copyright Page Examples from an eBook

Example

1. Author(s) and/or Editor(s): Editors: Stewart I. Donaldson, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Jeanne Nakamura; Author of Chapter: Stewart I. Donaldson
2. Title: Title of book: Positive Psychological Science: Improving Everyday Life, Well-Being, Work, Education, and Societies Across the Globe; Title of chapter: Theory-Driven Positive Psychological Science:A Global Perspective
3. Edition: 2nd Edition
4. Publisher: Routledge
5. Publication Date: 2020
6. Page Numbers: Pages of chap. 1: 1-11
7. DOI, Stable URL, or Permalink: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203731833

Other Places to Look 

You can find a lot of this information on the item’s record in Multi-Search or a library database. Below is an example of an eBook's record from Multi-Search. However, you might need to look at the actual book or eBook to check the information and find more details for your citation. Many databases also have tools to help you format your citations, but it’s a good idea to double-check them for any errors.

More Information

Citing Your Sources Guide (Shapiro Library)

APA Style Guide (Shapiro Library)

MLA Style Guide (Shapiro Library)

Chicago Style Guide (Shapiro Library)

Disclaimer

This information is intended to be a guideline, not expert advice. Please be sure to speak to your professor about the appropriate way to cite sources in your class assignments and projects.