Western and Library and Archives Canada partner to preserve Canada’s documentary heritage

Western University and Library and Archives Canada (LAC) announced a partnership today that will see LAC working closely with researchers and students from Western’s Faculty of Media and Information Studies as well as Western Libraries, one of the largest research library systems in Canada.

The agreement is designed to facilitate sharing of expertise and knowledge, foster collaboration to support academic advances, research practices and technological developments, and facilitate outreach to preserve and promote Canada’s documentary heritage.

“This is an excellent opportunity to showcase Western’s talent in library and information science – a real strength for our university,” said Tom Carmichael, dean of the Faculty of Media and Information Studies.

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) preserves and makes accessible the documentary heritage of Canada. It also serves as the continuing memory of the Government of Canada and its institutions. This heritage includes publications, archival records, sound and audio-visual materials, photographs, artworks, and electronic documents.

“With each new agreement we sign with a Canadian university, we are building a foundation of knowledge and expertise which will benefit not only the current generation of students and researchers, but successive generations as well, those for whom collaborative information networks will be a given,” said Guy Berthiaume, Librarian and Archivist of Canada. “I am extremely proud to be embarking on this future together with Western University.”

The partnership will also help to build on Western’s highly-respected co-op program in the library sciences, with LAC hosting students for formal work placements, training programs and workshops.

“Working with LAC, we can further leverage our expertise, research capabilities and library resources to support a national institution serving the public good, which is befitting one of Canada’s largest research universities,” said Catherine Steeves, Vice-Provost and Chief Librarian at Western.

The agreement has been signed for a five-year period with the opportunity to extend the partnership at that time.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Stephen Ledgley, Senior Media Relations Officer, Western University, 519-661-2111 x85283, sledgley@uwo.ca

Dino Roberge, Communications Advisor, Communications Branch, Library and Archives Canada, Government of Canada, 613-608-4260, dino.roberge@canada.ca

ABOUT WESTERN

Western University delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community.

 

ABOUT LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA

The mandate of Library and Archives Canada is to preserve the documentary heritage of Canada for the benefit of present and future generations, and to be a source of enduring knowledge accessible to all, thereby contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada. Library and Archives Canada also facilitates co-operation among communities involved in the acquisition, preservation and diffusion of knowledge, and serves as the continuing memory of the Government of Canada and its institutions.