Editing Library and Archives Canada

{{Short description|National library and archive}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox library
| library_name = Library and Archives Canada
| image = Library and Archives Canada.JPG
| caption = Library and Archives Canada building in Ottawa
| type = [[National library]] and<br />[[List of national archives|national archives]]
| established = {{start date and age|2004|5|21}}{{notetag|Library and Archives Canada was formed in May 2004, as a result of a merger between National Archives of Canada and the National Library of Canada. The former National Archives traces its origins to the Dominion Archives established in 1872, while the former National Library was established in 1953.}}
| ref_legal_mandate = 
| location = 395 [[Wellington Street (Ottawa)|Wellington Street]],<br>[[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]], Canada{{notetag|The main building is situated on Wellington Street. The institution operates several other facilities throughout the [[National Capital Region (Canada)|National Capital Region]].}}
| num_branches = <!-- number of public library branches not offices or storage locations -->
| items_collected = Aboriginal magazines; albums and scrapbooks; architectural drawings; art; artifacts; Canadian children's literature; Canadian comic books; Canadian newspapers; Canadian periodicals; electronic publications; electronic records; English-language pulp literature; ethnic community newsletters; ephemera; fiction and non-fiction; films; globes; government publications; government records; government websites; Hebraica and Judaica; Indian residential school records; journals and diaries; livres d’artistes; manuscripts; maps; microfilms; photographs; poetry; portraits; rare books; sheet music; sketchbooks; sound recordings; stamps; textual archives; theses and dissertations; trade catalogues; videos<ref>{{cite web|title=Discover the Collection: Canada's Continuing Memory – Browse by Product Type |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/discover/product/index-e.html |publisher=LAC |access-date=June 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603230331/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/discover/product/index-e.html |archive-date=June 3, 2013 }}</ref>
| collection_size = 22 million books and publications (periodicals, newspapers, microfilms, literary texts, and government publications); 250 km of government and private textual records; 3 million architectural drawings, maps, and plans; 30 million photos; 350,000 hours of film; 425,000 works of art (including paintings, drawings, watercolours, posters, prints, medals, and caricatures); 547,000 musical items; over 1 billion [[megabyte|MB]] of digital content<ref name=Collection/><ref>"[https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/stay-connected/Pages/infographic.aspx Infographic]," Library and Archives Canada (November 9, 2016)</ref>
| criteria = Canadiana, documents published in Canada and materials published elsewhere of interest to Canada; records documenting the functions and activities of the Government of Canada; records of heritage value that document the historical development and diversity of Canadian society<ref>{{cite web|title=Digital Collection Development Policy|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/collection/003-200-e.html|publisher=LAC|date=February 1, 2006|access-date=June 2, 2013}} Refer section on Selection and Acquisition Criteria applicable to both digital and other media.</ref>
| legal_deposit = Yes<ref>{{cite web|title=Legal Deposit |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/legal-deposit/041008-0200-e.html |publisher=LAC |access-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530060228/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/legal-deposit/041008-0200-e.html |archive-date=May 30, 2013 }}</ref>
| annual_circulation = 
| budget = [[Canadian dollar|CDN$]]98,346,695 (2013–14)<ref>{{cite web|title=2013–14 Estimates|url=http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/est-pre/20132014/me-bpd/me-bpd-eng.pdf|publisher=Treasury Board Secretariat|page=II–201|access-date=May 26, 2013}}</ref><ref name=RPP201314>{{cite web|title=Report on Plans and Priorities 2013–14|date=December 19, 2012|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/about-us/report-plans-priorities/rpp-2013-2014/Pages/rpp-2013-14.aspx#b6|publisher=LAC|access-date=May 31, 2013 |last1=Canada |first1=Library Archives }}</ref>
| director = [[Leslie Weir]]<ref name=LACProfile>{{cite web|title=Organization Profile – Library and Archives of Canada|url=http://appointments.gc.ca/prflOrg.asp?lang=eng&OrgID=LAC%20%20%20#PersonID_23889|publisher=Government of Canada|work=Governor in Council Appointments|date=June 5, 2014|access-date=July 1, 2014}}</ref>
| num_employees = 853 [[Full-time equivalent|FTE]] (2021–22)<ref name=RPP202122>{{cite web|title=2021-22 Departmental Results Report|date=August 2023|url=https://library-archives.canada.ca/eng/corporate/transparency/reports-publications/departmental-results-reports/2021-2022-drr/Pages/2021-2022-drr.aspx#toc5b|publisher=LAC|access-date=August 21, 2023}}</ref>
| website = {{url|https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Pages/home.aspx|bac-lac.gc.ca}}
| module = {{Infobox government agency
| child = yes
| name =  
| keydocument1 = ''Library and Archives of Canada Act''<ref name=JLW>{{cite web|title=Justice Laws Website: An Act to establish the Library and Archives of Canada, to amend the Copyright Act and to amend certain Acts in consequence |url=http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/L-7.7/index.html |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=May 26, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329035248/http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/L-7.7/index.html |archive-date=March 29, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=House Government Bill – C-8, Royal Assent (37-3)|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?doc=C-8&File=24&language=E&parl=37&pub=bill&ses=3|publisher=Parliament of Canada|access-date=May 26, 2013}}</ref>
| parent_agency = [[Department of Canadian Heritage|Canadian Heritage]]
| minister1_name  = [[Hon.]] [[Pascale St-Onge]]
| minister1_pfo = [[Minister of Canadian Heritage]]
}}
}}

'''Library and Archives Canada''' ('''LAC'''; {{langx|fr|Bibliothèque et Archives Canada}}) is the [[Government of Canada|federal]] institution tasked with acquiring, preserving, and providing accessibility to the [[documentary heritage]] of [[Canada]].<ref name=JLW/> The [[national archive]] and [[national library|library]] is the [[List of largest libraries|16th largest library in the world]]. The LAC reports to the [[Parliament of Canada]] through the [[Minister of Canadian Heritage]].

LAC traces its origins to the '''Dominion Archives''', formed in 1872, and the '''National Library of Canada''', formed in 1953. The former was later renamed as the '''Public Archives of Canada''' in 1912, and the '''National Archives of Canada''' in 1987. In 2004, the National Archives of Canada and the National Library of Canada were merged to form Library and Archives Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|title=libraries.org: Library and Archives Canada|url=https://www.librarytechnology.org/library/1926|access-date=2023-09-30|website=librarytechnology.org}}</ref>

==History==
===Predecessors===
[[File:Dominion Archives 1923.jpg|thumb|The Public Archives of Canada building in 1923, prior to its 1925 expansion. The institution was housed at 330 [[Sussex Drive]] from 1906 to 1967.]]
The Dominion Archives was founded in 1872 as a division within the [[Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada|Department of Agriculture]] tasked with acquiring and transcribing documents related to [[Canadian history]]. In 1912, the division was transformed into an autonomous organization, Public Archives of Canada, with the new responsibility of managing government documents on all types of [[Media (communication)|media]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Bibliothèque et Archives Canada (BAC) |url=http://bd.archivescanadafrance.org/acf/repo-bac.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011030549/http://bd.archivescanadafrance.org/acf/repo-bac.html |archive-date=11 Oct 2014 |access-date=5 May 2024 |publisher=Archives Canada–France |quote=In 1872, the Canadian government created an Archives Division within the Department of Agriculture; its mandate was to acquire and transcribe documents related to Canadian history. In 1912, parliamentary legislation transformed this division into an autonomous organization, the Public Archives of Canada, and confirmed its responsibility to manage government documents. The mandate of the new institution focused on the acquisition of documents on all types of media, putting into practice the innovative concept of 'total archives.' Further legislation in 1987 clarified and reinforced the role and responsibilities of the Public Archives of Canada, which was then renamed the National Archives of Canada. In October 2002, in order to improve access to Canada's documentary heritage, the government announced the creation of a new institution, Library and Archives Canada, which united the National Archives of Canada and the National Library of Canada (founded in 1953).|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The organization would be renamed in 1987 as the National Archives of Canada.<ref name=":0" />

With the efforts of people like [[Freda Farrell Waldon]], the first president of the [[Canadian Library Association]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waldon, Freda Farrell|url=https://www.hpl.ca/inductee/freda-farrell-waldon|access-date=2021-04-12|website=Hamilton Public Library|language=en}}</ref><ref name="brief">{{cite web|title=History of LH&A: Freda Farrell Waldon &#124; HPL|url=http://www.hpl.ca/articles/history-lha-freda-farrell-waldon|access-date=2016-08-11|publisher=Hpl.ca}}</ref> the National Library of Canada was founded in 1953.<ref name=":0" />

===21st century===
In 2004, under the initiative of former National Librarian [[Roch Carrier]] and National Archivist [[Ian E. Wilson]], the functions of the National Archives of Canada and the National Library of Canada were combined to form Library and Archives Canada.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite journal|last=Wilson|first=Ian E.|title='A Noble Dream': The Origins of the Public Archives of Canada|journal=[[Archivaria]]|publisher=ACA|year=1982|issue=15|pages=16–35|url=http://journals.sfu.ca/archivar/index.php/archivaria/article/view/10966/11899|access-date=June 3, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Speech – Posthumous Tribute to Jean-Pierre Wallot|date=March 26, 2012|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/news/speeches/Pages/Speech-Posthumous-Tribute-to-Jean-Pierre-Wallot.aspx|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=May 30, 2013|quote=Following his appointment in the spring of 1985, he was given the task of reviewing the Public Archives Act of 1912, which led to the federal institution's first name change. The institution that had been known as the Public Archives of Canada since 1872 was renamed the National Archives of Canada. |last1=Canada |first1=Library Archives }}</ref><ref>Snyder, Lorraine. [2006 February 7] 2015 June 5. "[https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/library-and-archives-canada Library and Archives Canada]." ''The Canadian Encyclopedia''. Historica Canada.</ref> LAC was established per the ''Library and Archives of Canada Act'' (Bill C-8), proclaimed on April 22, 2004, with a subsequent [[Order in Council|Order-in-Council]] on May 21, which formally united the collections, services, and personnel of the National Archives of Canada and the National Library of Canada.<ref>{{cite web|title=House Government Bill C-8 (37-3)|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?billId=1188185&Mode=1&View=6&Language=E|publisher=Parliament of Canada|access-date=26 May 2013|quote=Last Stage Completed: Royal Assent (2004-04-22). Coming Into Force: Her Excellency the Governor General in Council hereby fixes May 21, 2004 as the day on which that Act comes into force, other than sections 21, 53 and 54, which came into force on assent.}}</ref> Wilson assumed the position as the first Librarian and Archivist of Canada in July that year.

====Modernization====
In June 2004, LAC issued a discussion paper titled ''Creating a New Kind of Knowledge Institution'';<ref>{{cite web|title=Creating a New Kind of Knowledge Institution|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/012012/f2/01-e.pdf|publisher=LAC|access-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref> after consultation in June 2006, it issued ''LAC Directions for Change'', a document setting out five key directions to define the new institution, including being a new kind of knowledge institution; becoming a truly national institution, a collaborative institution that works to strengthen Canada's documentary heritage; a learning destination; and an institution in government information management.<ref>{{cite web|title=LAC Directions for Change|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/012016/f2/012016-1000-e.pdf|publisher=LAC|access-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref>

LAC's modernization policy provides for transformation from an institution focused on the acquisition and preservation of analogue (non-digital) materials to one that excels in digital access and [[digital preservation]].<ref name=Mod>{{cite web|title=Modernization |url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/about-us/modernization/Pages/default.aspx |publisher=LAC |access-date=May 26, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611165743/http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/about-us/modernization/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=June 11, 2013 }}</ref> A Documentary Heritage Management Framework developed in 2009 seeks the right balance between resources dedicated to analogue and digital materials and is based on:
*three main business pillars: acquisition, preservation and resource discovery (''resource discovery'' includes description, discovery, access and services to the public)
*four guiding principles for fulfilling its documentary heritage mandate, i.e. significance, sufficiency, sustainability and society (broad social context)
*four key roles, i.e. foundation building (relationship building), collaboration, program (integrated collection management processes) and transfer (formal agreements with third parties to fulfill its legislated mandate).
Eight pilot research projects were initiated to validate the framework, including projects on military documentary heritage, aboriginal documentary heritage, and stewardship of newspapers in a digital age.<ref name=DHMF>{{cite web|title=Library and Archives Canada |url=http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/maf-crg/assessments-evaluations/2009/bal/bal-eng.asp |publisher=Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat |access-date=June 5, 2013 |date=2009 |quote=Under the guidance of the new Deputy Head, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has identified new strategic directions for the organization and implemented a change management agenda. More broadly, LAC continues to adapt to technological changes in dealing with its mandate to preserve and make available the documentary heritage of Canada. LAC has commenced a modernization initiative and has also established a "Documentary Heritage Management Framework" to meet the challenges of collecting and preserving information in an environment that is transitioning from analogue production to digital production. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603124540/http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/maf-crg/assessments-evaluations/2009/bal/bal-eng.asp |archive-date=June 3, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Documentary Heritage Management Framework|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/modernization/012004-2010-e.html|publisher=LAC|access-date=June 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328154945/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/modernization/012004-2010-e.html|archive-date=March 28, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Levene |first=Mark |title=Documentary Heritage Development Framework |url=http://www.interpares.org/display_file.cfm?doc=aca-ubc_symposium_2010--levene_2-2.pdf |publisher=LAC |access-date=June 5, 2013 |date=2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703074415/http://www.interpares.org/display_file.cfm?doc=aca-ubc_symposium_2010--levene_2-2.pdf |archive-date=July 3, 2014 }}</ref> In March 2010 LAC issued its final report on Canadian Digital Information Strategy stakeholder consultations initiated in accordance with its mandate to facilitate co-operation among Canadian knowledge communities.<ref>{{cite web|title=Canadian Digital Information Strategy (CDIS): Final Report of consultations with stakeholder communities 2005 to 2008|url=http://datalib.library.ualberta.ca/data/CDIS_FinalReport_eng_REVISED_Final.pdf|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6M3NUTR2P?url=http://datalib.library.ualberta.ca/data/CDIS_FinalReport_eng_REVISED_Final.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 22, 2013|publisher=LAC|access-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref> In the same month it issued ''Shaping Our Continuing Memory Collectively: A Representative Documentary Heritage'', a document which outlines how it plans to achieve its modernization objectives.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shaping Our Continuing Memory Collectively: A Representative Documentary Heritage|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/013/f2/013-449-e.pdf|publisher=LAC|access-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref>

Despite LAC's stated objectives of continuing to fulfill its mandate by adapting to changes in the information environment and collaboration with others, the actual experience since 2004 has been a reduction in both services and collaboration.<ref name=Mod/><ref name=DHMF/><ref name=TSEd>{{cite news|title=Stephen Harper should appoint a pro to head Canada's library and archives: Editorial|url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2013/05/21/stephen_harper_should_appoint_a_pro_to_head_canadas_library_and_archives_editorial.html|access-date=June 5, 2013|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=May 21, 2013|quote=Caron oversaw $10 million in budget cuts in recent years, laying off dozens of staff, eliminating grants to independent archives across the country and, most controversially, ending an interlibrary loan program that massively expanded the reach of the government collections.}}</ref> Federal funding cuts since 2004 have also impacted on LAC services and acquisitions.<ref name=Hall/><ref name=CobbMay3/><ref name=TSEd/><ref name=MooreNADP/><ref name=CobbJune10/> A detailed timeline of relevant developments and the decline in LAC services since 2004 has been compiled by the Ex Libris Association.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ex Libris Association Timeline on Library and Archives Canada Service Decline|url=https://www.exlibris.ca/doku.php?id=activities:archive:library-and-archives-canada-service-decline|publisher=Ex Libris Association|access-date=March 18, 2017}}</ref>

====Budget cuts====
Following the announcement in the [[2012 Canadian federal budget|2012 federal budget]] of a [[Canadian dollar|CDN$]]9.6 million funding cut over the three years commencing in 2012–13,<ref>{{cite news|title=National museums, Canada Council spared cuts|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/national-museums-canada-council-spared-cuts-1.1236064|date=March 29, 2012|newspaper=CBC News|access-date=May 26, 2013|quote=The federal government's 2012 budget outlined cuts of $9.6 million over three years to Library and Archives Canada}}</ref> more than 400 LAC employees received notices which indicated their jobs may be affected and the department announced a 20% reduction of its workforce of about 1,100 over the following three years.<ref name=Curry>{{cite news|last=Curry|first=Bill|title=Visiting Library and Archives in Ottawa? Not without an appointment|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/visiting-library-and-archives-in-ottawa-not-without-an-appointment/article2418960/|access-date=May 31, 2013|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=May 1, 2012|quote=A spokesman for Library and Archives Canada confirmed to The Globe and Mail that the current workforce of 1,065 will be reduced to 850 people over the next three years, as a result of the 2012 federal budget cuts.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Federal libraries, archives shutting down|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/federal-libraries-archives-shutting-down-1.1139085|access-date=May 31, 2013|newspaper=CBC News|date=May 2, 2012|quote=The federal government is eliminating a series of libraries and archives throughout different departments as part of the latest budget cuts. Library and Archives Canada alone has received or will still receive more than 400 affected notices and the department announced 20 per cent of its workforce would be let go.}}</ref><ref name=CLAPR>{{cite press release|last=Fontaine |first=Alana |title=CLA dismayed by impact of budget cuts on federal libraries |date=May 2, 2012 |url=http://www.cla.ca/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&CONTENTID=12920&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm |publisher=CLA |access-date=May 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116025527/http://www.cla.ca/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&CONTENTID=12920&TEMPLATE=%2FCM%2FContentDisplay.cfm |archive-date=November 16, 2012 }}</ref><ref name=Kirkup/> The "harsh" wording of a 23-page code of conduct for employees effective January 2013, which "spells out values, potential conflicts of interest and expected behaviours", has been criticized by the [[Association of Canadian Archivists]] and the [[Canadian Association of University Teachers]] among others. The code describes personal activities including teaching and speaking at or attending conferences as "high risk" activities "with regard to conflict of interest, conflict of duties and duty of loyalty" and participation in such activities is subject to strict conditions. In a section on duty of loyalty, it also cautions employees about expressing personal opinions in [[social media]] forums. Only authorized LAC spokespersons may issue statements or make public comments about LAC's mandate and activities, which includes controversial changes related to modernization and budget cuts.<ref>{{cite news|last=Munro|first=Margaret|title=Federal librarians fear being 'muzzled' under new code of conduct that stresses 'duty of loyalty' to the government|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/03/15/library-and-archives-canada|access-date=May 26, 2013|newspaper=National Post|date=March 15, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Fodden|first=Simon|title=The Loyalty Policy at Library and Archives Canada|date=March 19, 2013|url=http://www.slaw.ca/2013/03/19/the-loyalty-policy-at-library-and-archives-canada/|publisher=Slaw|access-date=May 26, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Munro|first=Margaret|title=Federal librarians face new 'behaviour regulation' code|url=https://leaderpost.com/technology/story.html?id=8123506|access-date=June 4, 2013|newspaper=The Regina Leader-Post|date=March 20, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629160245/http://www.leaderpost.com/technology/story.html?id=8123506|archive-date=June 29, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=CobbMay12>{{cite news|last=Cobb |first=Chris |title=Library and Archives boss chastised by heritage minister for taxpayer-funded Spanish lessons |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/Library+Archives+boss+chastised+heritage+minister+taxpayer+funded/8373968/story.html |access-date=May 31, 2013 |newspaper=Ottawa Citizen |date=May 12, 2013 |quote=The code says employees may accept speaking invitations as long as they don't speak about LAC's mandate and activities. Caron has countered criticism by saying he has to work within the budget imposed by the federal government and his focus must be less on collecting artifacts and books and more on preserving Canada's digital record. |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630022949/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Library+Archives+boss+chastised+heritage+minister+taxpayer+funded/8373968/story.html |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Changes introduced under the management of [[Ian E. Wilson]] and [[Daniel J. Caron]] have been the subject of controversy and public criticism.<ref name=TSEd/><ref name=KarstensSmith>{{cite news|last=Karstens-Smith |first=Gemma |title=Librarians give heritage minister wishlist for top job |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Library+archival+organizations+across+country+have+made/8433091/story.html |access-date=May 31, 2013 |newspaper=Ottawa Citizen |date=May 24, 2013 |quote='The community has great concerns about the direction of Library and Archives Canada, and has had for a few years now.' ... Those concerns include where cuts are being made and how modernization is occurring, Marrelli said. |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630024630/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Library+archival+organizations+across+country+have+made/8433091/story.html |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Caron asserted that radical change is needed to cope with the influx and demand for digital material and they are subject to [[Canadian federal budget|federal budget]] constraints.<ref name=CobbMay12/><ref name=CobbMay16>{{cite news|last=Cobb |first=Chris |title=Librarian community calls on minister to appoint professional librarian to replace Caron as head of LAC |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/Canada+librarians+archivists+urging+federal+government/8397103/story.html |access-date=May 26, 2013 |newspaper=Ottawa Citizen |date=May 16, 2013 |quote=Hervé Déry, assistant deputy minister of policy and collaboration at LAC, will temporarily replace Caron, who had been critical of the archivist and librarian community for resisting the necessary push to collecting digital born material and digitizing more popular items at LAC. |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630032554/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Canada+librarians+archivists+urging+federal+government/8397103/story.html |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Several individuals and organizations voiced concerns about these changes. In 2011, the [[Canadian Association of University Teachers]] launched the Save Library & Archives Canada campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savelibraryarchives.ca/ |title=Save Library & Archives Canada |publisher=CAUT |access-date=April 22, 2013}}</ref> On May 2, 2012, the [[Canadian Library Association]] expressed concern about budget cuts to libraries, both in federal departments and at LAC.<ref name=CLAPR/><ref name=Kirkup>{{cite news|last=Kirkup |first=Kristy |url=http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/05/02/librarians-fighting-mad-over-federal-cuts |title=Librarians fighting mad over federal cuts |newspaper=Ottawa Sun |date=May 2, 2012 |access-date=April 22, 2013}}</ref> In August 2012, the [[Bibliographical Society of Canada]] wrote to every [[Member of Parliament]] urging them to ensure budget cuts do not compromise LAC's legislated mandate. In a follow-up letter to Heritage Minister [[James Moore (Canadian politician)|James Moore]] in November 2012, the Society singled out the termination of [[interlibrary loan]]s as a particularly harmful decision.<ref>{{cite web|title=President's Letters about Library and Archives Canada|url=http://www.bsc-sbc.ca/en/news.html#lac|publisher=Bibliographical Society of Canada|access-date=May 26, 2013|archive-date=September 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907224620/http://bsc-sbc.ca/en/news.html#lac|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bibliophile blogger Nigel Beale characterizes LAC as "Canada's national disgrace" in his blog ''Literary Tourist''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Beale|first=Nigel|url=http://literarytourist.com/2012/03/library-and-archives-canadas-national-disgrace/ |title=Library and Archives, Canada's National disgrace (Part 1 of 3) |publisher=Literary Tourist |date=March 18, 2012 |access-date=April 22, 2013}}</ref> Academic Ian Milligan describes LAC's "rhetoric of modernization" as a "smokescreen" for cutting services in light of the insignificance of and limited accessibility to LAC's online collections on the ActiveHistory.ca website.<ref>{{cite web|last=Milligan|first=Ian|title=The Smokescreen of 'Modernization' at Library and Archives Canada|url=http://activehistory.ca/2012/05/the-smokescreen-of-modernization-at-library-and-archives-canada/|publisher=ActiveHistory.ca|access-date=May 31, 2013|date=May 22, 2012}}</ref> Historian Valerie Knowles outlines the impact of government cutbacks at LAC and federal government libraries in her article "Closing doors on Canada's history" on the ''[[iPolitics]]'' website.<ref>{{cite web|last=Knowles |first=Valerie |url=http://www.ipolitics.ca/2012/08/10/val-knowles-closing-doors-on-canadas-history/ |title=Closing doors on Canada's history |publisher=iPolitics |date=August 10, 2012 |access-date=April 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619120805/http://www.ipolitics.ca/2012/08/10/val-knowles-closing-doors-on-canadas-history/ |archive-date=June 19, 2013 }}</ref>

On May 31, 2012, the [[Association of Canadian Archivists]] announced its withdrawal from forums of LAC's Pan-Canadian Documentary Heritage Network, stating that it does not believe the network can meet the needs and interests of [[archive]]s across Canada previously met by the National Archival Development Program abruptly terminated by LAC following the 2012 federal funding cut.<ref name=MooreNADP>{{cite news|title=Heritage minister looks at restoring local archives program|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/heritage-minister-looks-at-restoring-local-archives-program-1.1415052|access-date=June 11, 2013|newspaper=CBC|date=June 10, 2013}}</ref><ref name=CobbJune10>{{cite news|last=Cobb |first=Chris |title=Heritage Minister James Moore wants axed Library and Archives Canada NADP program restored |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/business/Library+Archives+Canada+needs+change+hints+Heritage+Minister/8506142/story.html |access-date=June 11, 2013 |newspaper=Ottawa Citizen |date=June 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130619222633/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Library+Archives+Canada+needs+change+hints+Heritage+Minister/8506142/story.html |archive-date=June 19, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="archivists.ca">{{cite web|title=Letter from the Association of Canadian Archivists to the Director General of LAC|date=May 31, 2012|url=http://www.archivists.ca/sites/default/files/Attachments/Advocacy_attachments/pcdhn_forum-lac_may-12-web.pdf|publisher=ACA|access-date=May 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514101103/http://archivists.ca/sites/default/files/Attachments/Advocacy_attachments/pcdhn_forum-lac_may-12-web.pdf|archive-date=May 14, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Following Caron's resignation in May 2013, a stakeholder coalition issued a joint statement on the qualities of a successful Librarian and Archivist of Canada for official consideration in what they consider a "matter of great national significance":<ref name=KarstensSmith/><ref>{{cite web|title=Joint Statement on Qualities of a Successful Librarian and Archivist of Canada|url=http://www.cdncouncilarchives.ca/Joint_Statement_24May_EN.pdf|access-date=June 6, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907123818/http://cdncouncilarchives.ca/Joint_Statement_24May_EN.pdf|archive-date=September 7, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> {{blockquote|A broad coalition of Canadian stakeholder organizations has developed the following list of qualities we believe the Librarian and Archivist of Canada should have in order to be successful in this critical position of public trust and responsibility. We believe it is essential that the person appointed to this position at this time possess the necessary qualities to meet the tremendous challenges of dealing with the complex issues of the digital environment in an era of limited financial and human resources and the demands of providing increased public access to the irreplaceable treasures of Canadian documentary heritage.}}

In June 2013 the Heritage Minister said speeding up the digitization of records will be a priority for the new Librarian and Archivist of Canada. Moore also said he will ask the person appointed to revisit the termination of the National Archival Development Program.<ref name=MooreNADP/><ref name=CobbJune10/>

==== Truth and Reconciliation Commission ====
During the [[Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada|Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission]], Library and Archives Canada initially failed to produce records requested by the commission in a timely and comprehensive manner and was ordered by an [[Ontario Superior Court of Justice|Ontario Superior Court]] judge to do so.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nationnews.ca/federal-budget-cuts-to-the-library-archives-of-canada-stall-truth-and-reconciliation-commission/|title=Federal budget cuts to the Library & Archives of Canada stall Truth and Reconciliation Commission {{!}} The Nation: Cree News|date=2013-09-23|work=The Nation: Cree News|access-date=2018-03-01|language=en-US|archive-date=March 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301220334/http://www.nationnews.ca/federal-budget-cuts-to-the-library-archives-of-canada-stall-truth-and-reconciliation-commission/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ultimately, LAC did provide the records, but many were not in digitized and searchable formats as required by the commission.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/04/22/60000_boxes_of_new_documents_land_at_truth_and_reconciliation_commission.html|title=Truth and Reconciliation Commission gets access to thousands more documents|last=Rennie|first=Steve|date=2014-04-22|work=The Toronto Star|access-date=2018-03-01|language=en-CA|issn=0319-0781}}</ref>

The [[Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Canada)#Calls to action|Calls to Action]] of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission explicitly referenced Library and Archives Canada as follows:<blockquote>We call upon Library and Archives Canada to: fully adopt and implement the [[United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples]] and the United Nations Joinet-Orentlicher principles, as related to [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Aboriginal peoples]]' inalienable right to know the truth about what happened and why, with regard to [[human rights]] violations committed against them in the [[Canadian Indian residential school system|residential schools]]; ensure that its record holding related to residential schools are accessible to the public; [and] commit more resources to its public education materials and programming on residential schools.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/truth-and-reconciliation-94-calls-to-action-1.3362258|title=94 ways to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance reconciliation|work=CBC News|access-date=2018-03-01|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf|title=Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action|date=2015|access-date=February 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615202024/http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf|archive-date=June 15, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref></blockquote>Library and Archives Canada has begun to address these concerns by dedicating funding to hire Indigenous archivists, build relationships with Indigenous communities, and support [[digitization]] efforts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/archivists-look-to-decolonize-canada-s-memory-banks-1.3809132|title=Archivists look to 'decolonize' Canada's memory banks|date=2018-02-19|work=CTVNews|access-date=2018-03-01|language=en-CA}}</ref> However, Indigenous-led organizations have drawn attention to the fact that Indigenous communities have been conducting this type of work for decades.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Indigitization/status/968656923238125568|title=Indigitization Commentary on LAC Initiatives [Thread]|date=February 27, 2018|website=Twitter|access-date=February 28, 2018}}</ref>

LAC also holds and provides access to archival copies of the websites of organizations related to the TRC, in collaboration with the [[National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://umanitoba.ca/nctr/ |title=University of Manitoba - National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation |website=umanitoba.ca |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003005115/http://umanitoba.ca/nctr |archive-date=2015-10-03}}</ref> the [[University of Winnipeg]] Library, and [[University of Manitoba]] Libraries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/aboriginal-heritage/Pages/truth-reconciliation-commission-web-archive.aspx|title=Library and Archives Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission Web Archive - Library and Archives Canada|last=Canada|first=Library and Archives|access-date=2018-03-01|language=en}}</ref>

==Facilities==
{{Multiple image|total_width = 330
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| image1            = Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (20564114800).jpg
| alt1              = 
| caption1          = Southwestern façade
| image2            = Bibliotheque et Archives Canada - 07.jpg
| alt2              = 
| caption2          = Southern façade
| footer            = Exterior of the Library and Archives Canada building at 395 [[Wellington Street (Ottawa)|Wellington Street]]
}}
The building at 395 [[Wellington Street (Ottawa)|Wellington Street]] in [[downtown Ottawa]] is the main physical location where the public may access the collection in person. The building was officially opened on June 20, 1967.<ref name=VisitUs>{{cite web|title=Visit Us|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/visit-us/index-e.html|publisher=LAC|access-date=June 3, 2013|quote=Much of Library and Archives Canada's collection has not been digitized and is only available in physical form. To use this material, you will have to visit one of our locations.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=A Behind-the-Scenes Look at LAC: Services for the Public Available in Ottawa|date=November 15, 2012|url=http://thediscoverblog.com/2012/11/15/a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-lac-services-for-the-public-available-in-ottawa/|publisher=LAC|access-date=June 4, 2013}}</ref> With the de-emphasis on physical visits, in-person services have been curtailed—for example, since April 2012, [[Reference interview|reference services]] are by appointment only—and the role of this building is decreasing.<ref>{{cite web|title=LAC begins implementation of new approach to service delivery |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/whats-new/013-560-e.html |publisher=LAC |access-date=June 5, 2013 |quote=Our website now gets close to half a million visits per month. In contrast, LAC's in-person service hub located at 395 Wellington Street, receives about 2,000 visits per month. These two service points are also trending in opposite directions, with online consultations increasing rapidly, and in-person visits declining slowly but steadily. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529195737/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/whats-new/013-560-e.html |archive-date=May 29, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Reference by Appointment|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/005/005-2100-e.html|publisher=LAC|access-date=June 3, 2013}}</ref><ref name=Curry/> There are also administrative offices in [[Gatineau|Gatineau, Quebec]], and preservation and storage facilities throughout Canada for federal government records.<ref name=VisitUs/><ref name=Numbers/><ref name=BehindScenes/><ref>{{cite web|title=Government Records Accessible Outside Ottawa|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/the-public/005-3050-e.html|publisher=LAC|access-date=June 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529202003/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/the-public/005-3050-e.html|archive-date=May 29, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The Preservation Centre in the city centre of Gatineau, about 10 kilometres away from the Ottawa headquarters, was designed to provide a safe environment for the long-term storage and preservation of Canada's valuable collections. It was built at a cost of [[Canadian dollar|CDN$]]107 million, and the official opening took place on June 4, 1997. It is a unique building containing 48 climate-controlled preservation vaults and state-of-the-art preservation laboratories.<ref name=BehindScenes>{{cite web|title=A Behind-the-Scenes Look at LAC: The Gatineau Preservation Centre|date=January 19, 2012|url=http://thediscoverblog.com/2012/01/19/a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-lac-the-gatineau-preservation-centre/|publisher=LAC|access-date=June 3, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=1997 December Report of the Auditor General of Canada|url=http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_199712_36_e_8139.html#0.2.L39QK2.4FNW9F.61EJQE.AA1|publisher=Office of the Auditor General of Canada|access-date=June 3, 2013|quote=As part of a composite project to respond to the needs of the National Archives of Canada, including the need to arrest the deterioration of records in existing storage facilities, a new conservation and laboratory building was constructed in the city centre of Gatineau, Quebec, at a total project cost of $107 million.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The LAC Preservation Centre: What's there? |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/preservation/003003-2000-e.html |publisher=LAC |access-date=27 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530033557/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/preservation/003003-2000-e.html |archive-date=May 30, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Library and Archives Canada Preservation Centre|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/13/1302_e.html|publisher=LAC|access-date=June 3, 2013}}</ref> In 2000, the [[Royal Architectural Institute of Canada]] named it one of the top 500 buildings constructed in Canada during the last millennium.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ty-a.ca/Citizen/top500.htm|title=Cultural consequence|last=Cook|first=Maria|date=May 11, 2000|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|access-date=October 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606070316/http://www.ty-a.ca/Citizen/top500.htm|archive-date=June 6, 2013}}</ref>
{{Multiple image|total_width = 330
| align             = left
| direction         = horizontal
| image1            = Gatineau Preservation Centre.jpg
| alt1              = 
| caption1          = Gatineau Preservation Centre
| image2            = Ouverture de la nouvelle installation pour la préservation des films sur support de nitrate.jpg
| alt2              = 
| caption2          = Nitrate Film Preservation Facility
| footer            = Library and Archives Canada maintains several facilities throughout the [[National Capital Region (Canada)|National Capital Region]]
}}
A Nitrate Film Preservation Facility on the [[Communications Research Centre Canada|Communications Research Centre]] campus in [[Shirleys Bay]], on the outskirts of Ottawa, houses Canada's cellulose [[nitrate film]] collection.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nitrate Film Preservation Facility|date=January 1994|url=http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/dfrp-rbif/pn-nb/20580-eng.aspx|publisher=Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat|access-date=June 4, 2013}}</ref> The collection contains 5,575 film reels dating back to 1912, including some of the first Canadian motion pictures and photographic negatives.<ref name=Numbers/><ref>{{cite web|title=Library and Archives Canada Marks the Opening of the New Nitrate Film Preservation Facility|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/whats-new/013-528-e.html|date=June 21, 2011|publisher=LAC|access-date=May 28, 2013}}</ref> The film material is highly sensitive and requires precise temperatures for its preservation. The state-of-the-art facility, which was officially opened on June 21, 2011,<ref>{{cite press release|title=Official Opening of Library and Archives Canada's Nitrate Film Preservation Centre|url=http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/media-advisory-official-opening-library-archives-canadas-nitrate-film-preservation-centre-1528098.htm|date=June 17, 2011|publisher=LAC|access-date=May 28, 2013}}</ref> is an eco-designed building featuring an [[environmentally friendly]] roof that provides better insulation and minimizes energy expenditures.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Behind-the-Scenes Look at LAC: The Nitrate Film Preservation Facility|date=January 24, 2012|url=http://thediscoverblog.com/2012/01/24/a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-lac-the-nitrate-film-preservation-facility/|publisher=LAC|access-date=June 4, 2013}}</ref>

A planned key activity for 2013–14 was to rehouse analogue (non-digital) information resources in a new state-of-the-art high-density storage facility in Gatineau, where the national newspaper collection and records of [[World War II|Second World War]] veterans will be stored.<ref name=RPP201314/><ref>{{cite news|title=Library and Archives Canada preparing for big move|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/library-and-archives-canada-preparing-for-big-move-1.1193065|access-date=June 3, 2013|newspaper=CBC News|date=July 28, 2012}}</ref> The facility will feature a [[Warehouse#Automation and optimization|high bay]] metal shelving system with a suitable environment to better protect Canada's published heritage.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minutes of the Depository Services Program Library Advisory Committee (DSP-LAC) Meetings, 2009|url=http://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/depositoryLibraries/dsp-lac/meetingMinutes2009.html|publisher=Government of Canada|date=August 24, 2009|access-date=May 28, 2013|quote=It was recently announced that funding was received from Treasury Board to convert a building (formerly, a Zellers department store) in Gatineau into a high-density storage facility.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Montel Awarded the Library and Archives Canada New Collection Storage Facility High Bay Metal Storage Shelving Contract|date=January 18, 2012|url=http://www.montel.com/en/news/montel-awarded-the-library-and-archives-canada-new-collection-storage-facility-high-bay-metal-storage-shelving-contract|publisher=Montel|access-date=May 27, 2013}}</ref><ref name=Butler>{{cite news|last=Butler |first=Don |title=Museums mostly unconcerned about loss of federal funding |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/travel/Museums+mostly+unconcerned+about+loss+federal+funding/8031905/story.html |access-date=27 May 2013 |newspaper=Ottawa Citizen |date=February 28, 2013 |quote=Much of the $20-million decrease in the Library and Archives Canada budget is accounted for in the conversion of the building in Gatineau to a high-density shelving collection storage facility, which is nearly complete. |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630024923/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/Museums+mostly+unconcerned+about+loss+federal+funding/8031905/story.html |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In January 2019, Library and Archives Canada announced that negotiations for a new facility to be built next to the existing one in Gatineau were starting, with an opening date in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pilieci |first1=Vito |title=Government moves closer on $400-million document preservation facility |url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/news/Pages/2019/negotiations-second-preservation-centre.aspx |access-date=March 23, 2019 |publisher=Library and Archives Canada |date=January 31, 2019}}</ref>

LAC's online collection is accessible via its website and LAC provides ongoing information online via its [[blog]], [[podcast]]s, the [[Twitter]] and [[Facebook]] [[social networking service]]s, the [[Flickr]] [[Image hosting service|image-sharing site]], and the [[YouTube]] [[Video hosting service|video-sharing site]]. [[RSS]] feeds provide links to new content on the LAC website and news about LAC services and resources.<ref name=Electronic/><ref>{{cite web|title=Stay Connected|date=June 8, 2012|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/stay-connected/Pages/stay-connected.aspx|publisher=LAC|access-date=May 26, 2013 |last1=Canada |first1=Library Archives }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Shamrock and the Maple Leaf|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/ireland/index-e.html|publisher=LAC|access-date=May 26, 2013}}</ref> A new modernized website is being developed and is scheduled for completion in 2013, with both new and old websites accessible during the transition period.<ref>{{cite web|title=Library and Archives Canada Revamped Web Presence|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/news/Pages/lac-revamped-web-presence.aspx|publisher=LAC|access-date=June 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611175552/http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/news/Pages/lac-revamped-web-presence.aspx|archive-date=June 11, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Collection==
[[File:National Archives Microfilm Room, Ottawa.jpg|thumb|Storage units for the institution's microfilm collection at the Library and Archives Canada building.]]
The Library and Archives of Canada's holdings include:<ref name="Collection" />
[[File:Views of icebergs taken at sea, off Scott Inlet, Baffin Island Photos d’icebergs prises en mer, sur le bras Scott, au large de l’île de Baffin (48188946567).jpg|thumb|A photo album of icebergs from the Library and Archives of Canada's collection.]]
* 250 linear kilometres of [[Government of Canada|Canadian Government]] and representative private textual records
** textual archives for various individuals and groups who have contributed to the cultural, social, economic and political development of Canada
* 22 million books and publications acquired largely through [[legal deposit]]
* 24 million photographic images (including [[Photographic printing|prints]], [[Negative (photography)|negatives]], [[Film slides|slides]], and [[Digital photography|digital photos]])
* over 3 million architectural drawings, plans, and maps
* over 90,000 films (including short and full-length films, documentaries, and silent films)
* over 550,000 hours of audio and video recordings
* over 425,000 works of art (including watercolours, oil paintings, sketches, caricatures and miniatures, as well as medals, seals, posters and coats of arms)
* about 550,000 musical items (including the largest collection of Canadian [[sheet music]] in the world; documentation related to music in Canada; and recordings on disks and records of all formats, including [[piano roll]]s, reels and [[Spooling|spools]], and [[8-track tape]]s)
* the [[Canadian Postal Museum|Canadian Postal Archives]];
* [[national newspaper]]s from across Canada, including [[daily newspaper]]s, [[List of student newspapers in Canada|student newspapers]], Indigenous magazines, and ethnic community newsletters.

Notable items in the collection include:<ref name="Numbers">{{cite news|date=May 3, 2013|title=Library and Archives Canada – By the numbers|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/Library+Archives+Canada+numbers/8335604/story.html|url-status=dead|access-date=June 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527011049/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Library+Archives+Canada+numbers/8335604/story.html|archive-date=May 27, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*the Proclamation of Canada's ''[[Constitution Act, 1982]]'', which bears marks left by raindrops during a ceremony on [[Parliament Hill]] in April 1982 when [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] signed it;<ref>{{cite web|title=Proclamation of the Constitution Act, 1982|url=http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=3782519|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628051937/http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=3782519|archive-date=June 28, 2013|access-date=June 3, 2013|publisher=LAC|quote=This original copy of the Proclamation of the Constitution Act, 1982 is the one which was signed by HM Queen Elizabeth II on Parliament Hill, 17 April 1982. Damaged slightly by rain during the signing ceremony, this version is informally known as the 'raindrop' copy.}}</ref>
*a copy of the ''[[Constitution Act, 1867]]'' (aka the ''British North America Act''), which features editing changes made by the first [[Prime Minister of Canada]], [[John A. Macdonald|Sir John A. Macdonald]];<ref>{{cite web|title=Sir John A. Macdonald: Canada's Patriot Statesman|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/sir-john-a-macdonald/023013-7030.1-e.html|access-date=June 3, 2013|publisher=LAC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Constitutional Achievements|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/primeministers/h4-2221-e.html|access-date=June 3, 2013|publisher=LAC}}</ref>
*''[[Antiquities of the Jews|De antiquitate Judaica]]: [[The Jewish War|De bello Judaico]]'' ('[[Antiquities of the Jews]] and the [[The Jewish War|Judean War]]')—the oldest book in the collection—written by 1st-century historian [[Josephus|Flavius Josephus]] and printed in 1470;<ref>{{cite web|title=Jacob M. Lowy Collection|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/lowy-collection/index-e.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604071608/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/lowy-collection/index-e.html|archive-date=June 4, 2013|access-date=June 3, 2013|publisher=LAC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Israeli Foreign Minister Views Rare Book Collection During Visit to Library and Archives Canada|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/whats-new/013-286-e.html|access-date=June 3, 2013|publisher=LAC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Josephus|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/6/6/s6-215-e.html|access-date=June 3, 2013|publisher=LAC}}</ref>
*the chair used by world-renowned pianist [[Glenn Gould]] while he played and recorded.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Glenn Gould Archive|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/glenngould/028010-1050.02-e.html|access-date=June 3, 2013|publisher=LAC}}</ref>

=== Digitization ===
LAC also houses more than a [[petabyte]] of [[digital content]].<ref name="Collection">{{cite web|title=LAC at a glance – About Us|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/012/012-514-e.html|publisher=LAC|access-date=May 29, 2013|quote=The LAC collection... 20 million books, periodicals, newspapers, microfilms, literary texts and government publications; 167,000 linear metres of government and private textual records; 3 million architectural drawings, maps and plans; 24 million photographs; 350,000 hours of film; 425,000 pieces of art, including paintings, drawings, watercolours, posters, prints, medals and caricatures; 547,000 musical items; more than a billion megabytes of digital content}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Overview – About the Collection|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/collection/003-300-e.html|publisher=LAC|access-date=May 29, 2013}}</ref> Some of this content is available [[Online and offline|online]], primarily books, Canadian theses, and census material—equating to around 5 thousand [[TeraByte|terabytes]] of information in electronic format.<ref name="Electronic">{{cite web|title=Electronic Collection|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/electroniccollection/index-e.html|publisher=LAC|access-date=June 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Canada|first=Library and Archives|date=2013-08-30|title=About the Collection|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/about-us/about-collection/Pages/about.aspx|access-date=2021-05-08|website=www.bac-lac.gc.ca}}</ref> Many items have not been [[Digitization|digitized]] and are only available in physical form.<ref name="VisitUs" /> As of May 2013, only about 1% of the collection had been digitized, representing "about 25 million of the more popular and most fragile items."<ref>{{cite news|title=Library and archives interlibrary loans soon eliminated|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/library-and-archives-interlibrary-loans-soon-eliminated-1.1295526|access-date=June 2, 2013|newspaper=CBC News|date=Nov 7, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Hall">{{cite news|last=Hall|first=Joseph|title=Historical letters not wanted at Library and Archives Canada, critics say|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2013/03/10/historical_letters_not_wanted_at_library_and_archives_canada_critics_say.html|access-date=May 26, 2013|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=March 10, 2013}}</ref><ref name="CobbMay3">{{cite news|last=Cobb|first=Chris|title=Record breaking|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/Record+breaking/8335572/story.html|access-date=June 2, 2013|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|date=May 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530100159/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Record+breaking/8335572/story.html|archive-date=May 30, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Operations==
Since its inception, LAC has reported to [[Parliament of Canada|Parliament]] through the [[Minister of Canadian Heritage]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Financial Administration Act – Schedule I.1|url=http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/F-11/page-71.html#h-74|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=May 31, 2013|archive-date=May 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530155237/http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/F%2D11/page-71.html#h-74|url-status=dead}}</ref> LAC's stated mandate is:<ref name="JLW" /><ref name="LACProfile" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Our Mandate|date=March 27, 2012|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/about-us/Pages/our-mandate.aspx|publisher=LAC|access-date=May 31, 2013 |last1=Canada |first1=Library Archives }}</ref>
*to preserve the documentary heritage of Canada for the benefit of present and future generations;
*to be a source of enduring knowledge accessible to all, contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada as a free and democratic society;
*to facilitate in Canada co-operation among communities involved in the acquisition, preservation and diffusion of knowledge;
*to serve as the continuing memory of the Government of Canada and its institutions.

LAC is expected to maintain "effective recordkeeping practices that ensure transparency and accountability".<ref>{{cite web|title=Directive on Recordkeeping|date = June 16, 2009|url=http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?section=text&id=16552|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=May 31, 2013}}</ref>

===Management===
The '''Librarian and Archivist of Canada''' has the same seniority level as a [[Deputy minister (Canada)|deputy minister]] of a federal department.<ref name=LACProfile/>

On May 27, 2019, [[Leslie Weir]] was appointed Librarian and Archivist of Canada for a four-year term commencing August 30, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2019/05/minister-rodriguez-announces-appointment-to-library-and-archives-canada.html|title=Minister Rodriguez Announces Appointment to Library and Archives Canada|last=Heritage|first=Canadian|date=2019-05-27|website=gcnws|access-date=2019-05-27}}</ref> Weir is the first woman to hold this role.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2014-01-07|title=Librarian and Archivist of Canada|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/about-us/Pages/librarian-archivist-canada.aspx|access-date=2021-04-12|website=Library and Archives Canada}}</ref>  Her term has been extended another four years to provide continuity through some major building projects.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heritage |first=Canadian |date=2023-03-15 |title=Minister Rodriguez announces reappointment of Leslie Weir as Librarian and Archivist of Canada |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2023/03/minister-rodriguez-announces-reappointment-of-leslie-weir-as-librarian-and-archivist-of-canada.html |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref>

The head of Canada's national archives was known as the '''Dominion Archivist''' from 1872 to 1987 and the '''National Archivist''' from 1987 to 2004.<ref name="Chabot">{{cite web|last=Chabot|first=Victorin|title=Jean-Pierre Wallot, The Historian Archivist, 1985-1997|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/015/002/015002-2150-e.html|access-date=May 29, 2013|publisher=LAC|quote=After lengthy consultations with government departments, a Bill was tabled in the House of Commons and was enacted into law on March 25, 1987. The institution which had been known as the Public Archives of Canada since 1872 was renamed the National Archives of Canada, and the Federal Archivist became the National Archivist.}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Librarians and Archivists of Canada
!Name
!Period in office
!Note
|-
! colspan="3" |Librarian and Archivist of Canada
|-
|[[Leslie Weir]]
|2019–''incumbent''
|first woman to hold this role<ref name=":1" />
|-
|[[Guy Berthiaume]]<ref>{{cite press release|title=Guy Berthiaume appointed as Librarian and Archivist of Canada|url=http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=838739|date=April 14, 2014|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=16 April 2014}}</ref>
|2014–19
|
|-
|[[Daniel J. Caron]]<ref name="CobbMay16" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Biography of Dr. Daniel J. Caron|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/whats-new/013-395-e.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511070928/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/whats-new/013-395-e.html|archive-date=May 11, 2017|access-date=May 30, 2013|publisher=LAC|quote=He was appointed the Librarian and Archivist of Canada on April 24, 2009.}}</ref>
|2009–13
|
|-
|[[Ian E. Wilson]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Mr. Wilson's Biography|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/whats-new/013-391-e.html|access-date=May 30, 2013|publisher=LAC|quote=Ian E. Wilson has just retired as the first Librarian and Archivist of Canada. Appointed as National Archivist in 1999, he and the National Librarian, Roch Carrier, OC, developed and led the process to create a new knowledge institution for Canada in the 21st century, the integrated Library and Archives of Canada. When the legislation came into force in May, 2004, Ian Wilson took on this new responsibility.}}</ref><ref name="WilsonTerm">{{cite web|title=Fellows of ICA: Ian E. Wilson|url=http://www.ica.org/?lid=12673&bid=1089|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608121739/http://www.ica.org/?lid=12673&bid=1089|archive-date=June 8, 2013|access-date=May 30, 2013|publisher=International Council on Archives|quote=Dr. Wilson served as National Archivist of Canada, 1999 to 2004, and then as head of the newly amalgamated Library and Archives Canada. He retired in 2009 and received the unusual honour of being named Librarian and Archivist of Canada Emeritus.|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
|2004–09
|Wilson held the position of National Archivist from 1999, and transitioned from there into the role of the Librarian and Archivist of Canada with the establishment of the LAC.
|-
! colspan="3" |National Librarian of Canada
|-
|[[Roch Carrier]]<ref name="CarrierScott">{{cite press release|last=Gagnaire|first=Catherine|title=Appointments to the Positions of National Archivist and of National Librarian|date=July 5, 1999|publisher=Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage|quote=Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps announced today the appointments of Ian Wilson to the position of National Archivist of Canada and Roch Carrier as National Librarian of Canada. Mr. Carrier will replace the current National Librarian, Marianne Scott, who has held the position since 1984.}}</ref>
|1999–2004
|
|-
|[[Marianne Scott]]<ref name="CarrierScott" />
|1984–99
|
|-
|[[Guy Sylvestre]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Guy Sylvestre fonds|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/literaryarchives/027011-200.130-e.html|access-date=May 30, 2013|publisher=LAC|quote=He was Associate National Librarian (1956-1968) and then National Librarian (1968-1983) at the National Library of Canada.}}</ref>
|1968–83
|
|-
|[[William Kaye Lamb]]<ref>{{cite web|title=W. Kaye Lamb fonds [multiple media]|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/public_mikan/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=fre&rec_nbr=99199|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628050829/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/public_mikan/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=fre&rec_nbr=99199|archive-date=June 28, 2013|access-date=May 30, 2013|publisher=LAC|quote=Dr. Lamb was appointed as Canada's first national librarian in 1953 ... Dr. Lamb retired as national librarian in 1968 and as Dominion archivist in January 1969.}}</ref>
|1953–68
|
|-
! colspan="3" |National/Dominion Archivist
|-
|[[Ian E. Wilson]]<ref name="WilsonTerm" /><ref>{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=Ian E.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z_L3dTD3H6QC|title=Archives, documentation, and institutions of social memory : essays from the Sawyer Seminar|publisher=University of Michigan Press|year=2005|isbn=9780472114931|editor=Blouin, Francis X.|edition=1st pbk.|location=Ann Arbor|page=341|chapter='The Gift of One Generation to Another': The Real Thing for the Pepsi Generation|quote=The position of national archivist was vacant for more than two years, from the retirement of Dr. Jean-Pierre Wallot on June 6, 1997, to the announcement of my appointment on July 5, 1999.|editor2=Rosenberg, William G.}}</ref>
|1999–2004
|''National Archivist'' until the role was merged with that of the National Librarian of Canada following the establishment of the LAC. Wilson would continue as the Librarian and Archivist of Canada until 2009. 
|-
|[[Jean-Pierre Wallot]]<ref name="Chabot" />
|1985–97
|''Dominion Archivist'' until position was renamed ''National Archivist'' in 1987.
|-
|[[Wilfred I. Smith]]<ref name="LambSmith">{{cite web|last=Laplante|first=Normand|title=Before Mr. Lamb and Mr. Smith went to Ottawa|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/015/002/015002-2140-e.html|access-date=May 30, 2013|publisher=LAC|quote=The first is known as a pioneer of archival administration in Canada whose work as Dominion Archivist from 1948 to 1968 made the Public Archives of Canada a truly modern institution ... Most of their personal papers kept at the NA relate to the period in which they led the institution from 1948 to 1984.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Wilfred I. Smith fonds [multiple media]|url=http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/ourl/res.php?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&url_tim=2013-05-30T14%3A50%3A52Z&url_ctx_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=106930&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fcollectionscanada.gc.ca%3Apam&lang=eng|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628050206/http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/ourl/res.php?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&url_tim=2013-05-30T14:50:52Z&url_ctx_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=106930&rfr_id=info:sid/collectionscanada.gc.ca:pam&lang=eng|archive-date=June 28, 2013|access-date=May 30, 2013|publisher=LAC|quote=He joined the Public Archives of Canada in Ottawa in 1950. From 1963 to 1968, Smith held various managerial positions within the Archives: chief of the Manuscript Division (1963-1964), director of the Historical Branch (1964-1965), Assistant Dominion Archivist (1965-1968) and Acting Dominion Archivist (1968-1970). In 1970, he was appointed Dominion Archivist, a position he held until his retirement in 1984.}}</ref>
|1970–84
|''Dominion Archivist''
|-
|[[William Kaye Lamb]]<ref name="LambSmith" />
|1948–68
|''Dominion Archivist''
|-
|[[Gustave Lanctot]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Bélanger|first=Claude|title=Quebec History – Gustave Lanctot (1883-1975)|url=http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/bios/gustavelanctotbio.htm|access-date=May 30, 2013|publisher=Marianopolis College|quote=In 1937 he was appointed deputy minister and Dominion Archivist, a position he would hold until his retirement in 1948.}}</ref>
|1937–48
|''Dominion Archivist''
|-
|James F. Kenney<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://archivaria.ca/index.php/archivaria/article/view/10966/11899|access-date=October 18, 2020|journal=Archivaria|title="A Noble Dream": The Origins of the Public Archives of Canada|date=January 1982|pages=16–35|last1=Wilson|first1=Ian E.}}</ref>
|1935-37
|''Acting Dominion Archivist''
|-
|Sir [[Arthur Doughty|Arthur George Doughty]]<ref name=":2">{{cite web|title=Sir Arthur George Doughty (1860-1936)|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/king/023011-1050.16-e.html|access-date=May 30, 2013|publisher=LAC}}</ref>
|1904–35
|''Dominion Archivist''. A statue of Doughty is located on the north side of the LAC building in Ottawa.<ref name=":2" />
|-
|[[Douglas Brymner]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online – Brymner, Douglas|url=http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?id_nbr=6586|access-date=May 30, 2013|publisher=University of Toronto}}</ref>
|1872–1902
|''Dominion Archivist''
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Canada|Ontario}}
* [[Books in Canada]]
* [[List of archives in Canada]]
* {{Lang|fr|[[Bibliothèque nationale de France]]|italic=no}}

==Notes==
{{notefoot}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Council of Federal Libraries (Canada): Readers' Services Committee. ''Basic Readers' Services'' = ''Principaux services offerts aux lecteurs''. Ottawa, Ont.: National Library of Canada, cop. 1980, t.p.&nbsp;1979. ''N.B''.: The English and French texts are printed ''tête-bêche'' one to the other. {{ISBN|0-662-50668-5}}
* Delvaux, Alex, and Yves Marcoux. ''Public Archives Library'' = ''Bibliothèque des Archives publiques''. In "General Guide Series: 1983". [Ottawa]: Public Archives Canada, 1983. Text, printed tête-bêche, in English and in French. {{ISBN|0-662-52580-9}}
* Kallmann, Helmut. "The Music Division of the National Library: the First Five Years", ''The Canada Music Book'', vol. 10, [no. 1] (Spring/Summer 1975), p.&nbsp;95-100. ''N.B''.: Also printed as a fold. offprint.
* Library and Archives Canada. ''Legal Deposit at the [then named] National Library of Canada'' = ''Le Dépôt légal à la Bibliothèque nationale du Canada''. Ottawa: National Library of Canada, 1982. ''N.B''.: Text, printed tête-bêche, in English and in French. {{ISBN|0-662-52131-5}}
* Library and Archives Canada. ''Music Collection [of the] National Library of Canada['s] Music Division'' = ''Collection de musique [de la] Division de la musique, Bibliothèque nationale du Canada''. Ottawa: National Library of Canada, 1989. ''N.B''.: Texts in English and in French, printed tête-bêche. {{ISBN|0-662-57231-9}}
* Library and Archives Canada. ''National Film, Television, and Sound Archives'' = ''Archives nationales du film, de la television et de l'enregistrement sonore'', in ''General Guide Series''. Ottawa: Public Archives Canada, 1983. 45 p. (English) + 47 p. (French), ill. with b&w photos. ''N.B''.: The English and French texts are printed ''tête-bêche'' one to the other. {{ISBN|0-662-52650-3}}
* Library and Archives Canada: Sound Archives Section. ''Sound Archives, Guide to Procedures'' = ''Les Archives sonores, guide méthodologique''. 3rd ed. ... rev. ... and updated, [in] collaboration between ... Michel Bourbonnais et al.; Josephine Langham ... responsible for the revision of the text in the English-language version. Ottawa: Public Archives Canada, 1979. ''N.B''.: Texts in English and in French, printed tête-bêche one to the other. {{ISBN|0-662-50363-5}}
*Public Archives. 2019. ''Archives : Mirror of Canada Past.'' Toronto: University of Toronto

==External links==
{{commons}}
* {{official website|https://library-archives.canada.ca/}}

{{Coord|display=title|45|25|11|N|75|42|28.5|W|region:CA_type:landmark}}
{{Government agencies of Canada}}
{{North America topic|title=North American national archives|prefix=National Archives of}}
{{North America topic|prefix=National Library of | title=[[National library|National libraries]] of [[North America]]}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Library and Archives Canada| ]]
[[Category:Archives in Canada]]
[[Category:State archives]]
[[Category:Federal departments and agencies of Canada]]
[[Category:Film preservation]]
[[Category:Libraries in Canada]]
[[Category:National archives|Canada]]
[[Category:National libraries|Canada]]
[[Category:Department of Canadian Heritage]]
[[Category:Museums in Ottawa]]
[[Category:Art museums and galleries in Ontario]]
[[Category:2004 establishments in Ontario]]
[[Category:Libraries established in 2004]]
[[Category:Deposit libraries]]
[[Category:Canadian government information]]
[[Category:Libraries in Ottawa]]