Library and Archives Canada

Library and Archives Canada
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Name	Library and Archives Canada
Country	Canada
Established	2004
Location	Ottawa, Ontario

Library and Archives Canada. As a merger of the National Archives of Canada and the National Library of Canada, it was established in 2004 to preserve and promote Canadian history, culture, and heritage, in collaboration with institutions like the Canadian Museum of History and the National Gallery of Canada. The institution works closely with other national libraries, such as the British Library and the Library of Congress, to advance the field of librarianship and archival science. Library and Archives Canada also partners with organizations like the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the National Film Board of Canada to collect and preserve Canadian film and television history.

● History

The history of Library and Archives Canada dates back to the establishment of the National Archives of Canada in 1872, with Douglas Brymner as its first archivist, and the National Library of Canada in 1953, with William Kaye Lamb as its first national librarian. The two institutions were merged in 2004 to create Library and Archives Canada, with Ian Wilson (archivist) as its first librarian and archivist, and Roch Carrier as its first National Librarian and Archivist of Canada. The institution has worked with other national archives, such as the National Archives and Records Administration and the UK National Archives, to develop standards for digital preservation and access. Library and Archives Canada has also collaborated with the Canadian Heritage Information Network and the Virtual Museum of Canada to promote Canadian museums and galleries.

● Mandate and Responsibilities

The mandate of Library and Archives Canada is to acquire, preserve, and provide access to Canadian documents, records, and publications, in accordance with the Library and Archives of Canada Act and the Access to Information Act. The institution is responsible for collecting and preserving Canadian newspapers, such as the Globe and Mail and the National Post, as well as Canadian books, such as those written by Margaret Atwood and Alice Munro. Library and Archives Canada also works with other institutions, such as the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec and the Provincial Archives of Alberta, to develop collections and exhibitions that showcase Canadian history and culture. The institution has partnered with organizations like the Canadian Federation of Library Associations and the Association of Canadian Archivists to promote librarianship and archival science in Canada.

● Collections and Holdings

The collections and holdings of Library and Archives Canada include over 20 million books, journals, and newspapers, as well as millions of photographs, maps, and documents, such as the British North America Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The institution has an extensive collection of Canadian music, including the works of Glenn Gould and Jon Vickers, as well as Canadian film and television history, including the works of David Cronenberg and Atom Egoyan. Library and Archives Canada also has a significant collection of Indigenous languages and cultures, including the Inuktitut and Cree languages, and works with organizations like the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Assembly of First Nations to promote Indigenous reconciliation and preservation. The institution has collaborated with the Canadian Museum of History and the National Gallery of Canada to develop exhibitions that showcase Canadian art and history.

● Services and Programs

The services and programs offered by Library and Archives Canada include reference services, research assistance, and exhibitions, as well as educational programs and outreach activities, such as the Library and Archives Canada's Genealogy services and the Canadian Genealogy Centre. The institution provides access to its collections and holdings through its website and online databases, such as the Amicus catalogue and the ArchiviaNet database. Library and Archives Canada also offers digitization and preservation services for Canadian institutions and organizations, such as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the National Film Board of Canada. The institution has partnered with organizations like the Canadian Library Association and the Archives Association of Ontario to promote librarianship and archival science in Canada.

● Facilities and Infrastructure

The facilities and infrastructure of Library and Archives Canada include its headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario, as well as its regional offices and storage facilities across Canada, such as the Gatineau Preservation Centre and the Winnipeg Storage Facility. The institution has a state-of-the-art preservation facility in Gatineau, Quebec, which provides climate-controlled storage and conservation services for its collections and holdings. Library and Archives Canada also has a digital preservation program to ensure the long-term accessibility and preservation of its digital collections, in collaboration with organizations like the Canadian Heritage Information Network and the Virtual Museum of Canada. The institution has worked with other national libraries, such as the British Library and the Library of Congress, to develop standards for digital preservation and access.

● Governance and Administration

The governance and administration of Library and Archives Canada are overseen by the Library and Archives of Canada Act and the Access to Information Act, which establish the institution's mandate and responsibilities. The institution is headed by the Librarian and Archivist of Canada, who is appointed by the Governor in Council and is responsible for the overall direction and management of the institution, in consultation with the Canadian Heritage minister and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. Library and Archives Canada is also governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from Canadian institutions and organizations, such as the Canadian Museum of History and the National Gallery of Canada. The institution has partnered with organizations like the Canadian Federation of Library Associations and the Association of Canadian Archivists to promote librarianship and archival science in Canada.

Category:National libraries