The Canadian Historical Association had its annual general meeting this afternoon, and the association invited a special guest speaker to address the assembled academics.

Dr. Daniel Caron told the association that Library and Archives is trying to grapple with a major issue that we are all facing - how do you preserve information when the technology we use to collect it and keep it is changing, seemingly on a daily basis?

I have been to the LAC's preservation centre in Gatineau, Quebec on several occasions. I am amazed each time I tour the facility, especially when I head to the area where audio files are kept. Picture a room that looks like a scene out of time - there are eight-track players, casette tape players, as well as record players for LPs, 45s, and even ancient technology that plays the earliest known forms of musical playing technology.

Now we have CDs .... and digital mp3s, and even now, thanks to Apple, things are m4as....

Imagine trying to keep pace with these changes -- even more, imagine trying to pay the cost of keeping pace!

This is of immense concern for historians, many of whom make LAC their second home when they are researching primary sources.

"Our biggest challenge is: how to preserve digital documents," Caron said.

During a Q and A session, some academics challenged Dr. Caron to work harder at improving service at the LAC office, and questions were raised about digitizing archival material, so academics and others - read, people like you and me -- can more easily access the vital documents, files and other items that make up our shared heritage.

Dr. Caron ended his speech to a round of polite applause, but also a friendly reminder -- historians  want to work with LAC to overcome these future challenges, but they also expect to be involved in the solutions and consulted every step of the way.