The Future of Archives
When the Federal budget was announced this spring, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) was one of the many departments left to deal with a reduced budget. Over the next three years, LAC will see a $9.6 million reduction in its overall budget, the effects of which are already being felt.
On April 30th, LAC announced the elimination of its National Archives Development Program (NADP). The NADP is a $1.71M contribution program administered by the non-for-profit Canadian Council of Archives (CCA) and distributed to each of Canada’s 13 provincial and territorial archives councils. The NADP helps support training and professional development, outreach and educational activities, as well as increased access to the holdings of community and provincial archives.
In addition, LAC will be cutting 200 jobs over the next three years, which represents about a 20% reduction in its workforce. LAC’s Interlibrary Loan, which allows users to have LAC material delivered through their local library, will end on February 15, 2013.
Conversations are happening all across the country as archivists, historians, students, professors, and average Canadians consider the future of our national archives. Canada's History invites you to join in this conversation. Explore our feature section The Future of Archives for background information, links, and news, and visit our Community Forum and have your say on the matter.
This letter from Daniel J. Caron, Deputy Head and Librarian and Archivist of Canada, was published in the June/July issue of Canada's History magazine.
Read some of the articles and blogs that have been written about the recent cuts to Library and Archives Canada.
LAC maintains an extensive collection, particularly in terms of the variety of material that has accumulated through the “total archives” approach.
The Literary and Historical Society of Quebec was formed in 1824. After Confederation in 1867, the society pushes for a national archive to collect and preserve documents relating to Canadian history.
In response to the elimination of the National Archival Development Program (NADP) on April 30th, archivists, librarians, researchers, and other activists will journey to Ottawa on May 28th.
The Canadian Association of University Teachers has produced a series of videos outlining the importance of Library and Archives Canada.