Canadian Budget Cuts Effect Library and Archives Canada

Posted by: Jan Meisels Allen

As with many other countries and states struggling with diminished funding, the Canadian government has reduced the budget of Library and Archives Canada and federal libraries.  According to a statement by the Canadian Library Association, it  indicated that 430  people have been given notices at Library and Archives Canada representing over 200 positions over the next three years, approximately 20 percent of the workforce.  In addition to staff, cuts have been made in acquisitions and inter-library loan activities.  To read the Canadian Library Association statement go to:
http://tinyurl.com/72w6977
original url:
http://www.cla.ca/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=12920

While there is nothing about the budget cuts on the Library and Archives Canada website, there is a statement about modernization innovation initiatives which focus on the core activities of human resources,
information management, appraisal, resource discovery, holdings management, digital preservation, and stakeholder engagement. To read the Library and Archives Canada statement go to:
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/about-us/modernization/Pages/default.aspx  and  also click on "Myth Busters" link on the left for their response to the changes and some of the comments about the changes.

Jan Meisels Allen
IAJGS Vice President
Chairperson, IAJGS Public Records Access Monitoring Committee