Thanks to all who participated in the second half of library council last December. The subject of discussion was the cuts to LAC, NADP, Science, Statistics Canada, Federal Libraries etc… and the impact of these cuts on Canada’s information infrastructure. Here is a brief capsule of the discussions. Notes are also being distributed as part … Continue reading »
Filed under Library budgets …
Sad Day for LAC (Post by John Reid)
“As we come to the end of a sad year for a once proud organization it has to be said that not all the blame for the LAC’s situation can be laid on the organization management. Heritage Minister James Moore clearly doesn’t care and acts as if he has no responsibility for this organization which … Continue reading »
Canadian Museum of History Public Consultation in Gatineau
On January 31, 2013, the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Canadian War Museum are holding a public consultation seeking information on the following questions: – What would you put in your national history museum? – What stories would you tell? – How would you reach Canadians across the country? Those in attendance might also ask … Continue reading »
New Video: Cuts to Valuable Resource Leave Books (and Researchers) in Dust
Here’s the link to the video. Tom Schwarzkopf, a retired English teacher at Algonquin College and amateur historian, laments the cutbacks of the loan service at the National Library, which will no longer allow requests for material through local interlibrary loans. Video by Julie Oliver, Ottawa Citizen
“Living Dead” Take Over Libraries and Archives Canada
Original story: http://www.pipsc.ca/portal/page/portal/website/groups/re/111312 A spooky horde of zombies surrounded the offices of Library and Archives Canada in Gatineau on Wednesday, October 31st around lunch time. Witnesses said that the zombies were hungry for brains, and were in search of the dead and dying. It was the search for the dead and dying that led the … Continue reading »
Federal Libraries and why closing them should not be business as usual
By Jennifer Dekker. I received an anonymous email from someone who works for the government and who is tabulating information regarding the closures or downsizing of federal libraries. The email, which was an analysis of a 90 page return on federal departments (excluding crown corporations, etc.) intending to close, restructure, or review their current library operations. … Continue reading »
Omnibus 2: Question about Library and Archives
Pierre Nantel, an NDP MP from Québec, is on record for requesting details of meetings that occurred within the Department of Canadian Heritage between 2008-2012, including meetings with the Librarian and Archivist of Canada. The question is “With regard to the Department of Canadian Heritage, for each year between 2008 and 2012, on what dates … Continue reading »
Around the web: chronology of LAC’s downward spiral
Thanks to Jonh Dupuis for putting together the chronology of events regarding what is sure to be the demise of Library and Archives Canada.
Boycott of publishing giant Elsevier gathers pace
Reprinted from the Varsity, Sept. 10, 2012 Over 12,000 academics, including 55 from the University of Toronto, have signed a petition to boycott Elsevier, a leading academic publisher in the scientific, technical and medical realms. The Dutch corporation has come under fire in recent months for its controversial business model, sky-high prices, and lobbying efforts … Continue reading »
Letter to Stephen Harper on the cuts to the LAC
This letter circulated on the ARCAN-L listserv on the weekend. ARCAN-L is Canada’s national archival community discussion board. 6 September 2012 Dear Prime Minister: I write as a proud Canadian, a proud Albertan, and a sometime supporter of your government, but a distressed one. I write also as a scholar who has spent years … Continue reading »
