How to Cite Open Resources: A Simple Guide
2-minute read time.
Open educational resources (OER) such as open textbooks, freely available articles, and Creative Commons–licensed materials have become essential tools for students, educators, and lifelong learners. They’re accessible, adaptable, and often completely free, but even though these resources are open, they still need to receive proper credit.
Citing open resources isn’t complicated, but there are a few details to keep in mind. This guide walks you through the essentials and provides easy templates for APA, MLA, and Chicago styles.
Why Citing Open Resources Matters
Even when a resource is free to use, the creator still owns the work. Proper citation:
- Gives credit where it’s due
- Helps others find the source
- Respects the terms of Creative Commons licenses
- Strengthens your academic or professional credibility
Key Tips for Citing Open Resources
- Include license information. Many open resources use Creative Commons licenses (note this at the end of the citation).
- No author? No problem. If no author is listed, begin with the title.
- Use direct URLs. Link straight to the resource, not just the homepage.
Citation Templates and Examples
Below are clear explanations, templates, and examples for the three major citation styles.
APA Style (7th Edition)
What APA emphasizes: Author, date, title, source, and URL. License information can be added at the end.
Template: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the resource. Publisher. URL. (License information, if applicable).
Example: Smith, J. (2023). Introduction to Sociology. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-to-sociology. (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License).
MLA Style (9th Edition)
What MLA emphasizes: Author, title, publisher, year, and URL. License information follows the citation.
Template: Author(s). Title of the Resource. Publisher, Year. URL. License information (if applicable).
Example: Smith, John. Introduction to Sociology. OpenStax, 2023. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-to-sociology. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Chicago Style (17th Edition)
What Chicago emphasizes: Author, year, title, publisher, and URL. License details are optional but useful.
Template: Author, A. Year. Title of the Resource. Publisher. URL. (License information, if applicable).
Example: Smith, John. 2023. Introduction to Sociology. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-to-sociology. (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License).
Final Thoughts
Open resources make learning more accessible for everyone, but citing them correctly ensures that creators continue to share their work openly.
With these templates and examples, you can confidently build a bibliography that’s accurate, ethical, and polished.
As of June 2026, the Campus Manitoba Pressbooks Template is available on the OpenEd Manitoba PressbooksEDU Network.
Due to recent changes in provincial funding priorities, the long‑term hosting and maintenance of the network are uncertain. The template remains accessible for now, but its future availability will depend on decisions still being made.
This citation guide was originally developed for the Campus Manitoba Pressbooks Template and has been adapted here by the author for a broader audience.
