Canadian Historical Association: Service Cuts at Library and Archives Canada

A follow-up to the blog entry from August 9:

From: Craig Heron [cheron@yorku.ca]

The Canadian Historical Association has learned that, effective 1 September 2007, the hours of service at the Library and Archives of Canada will be seriously curtailed. The new hours of operation can be viewed at:

http://www.collectionscanada.ca/whats-new/013-298-e.html

Many groups of researchers, including professional historians, graduate students, and genealogists have already advised us that the restricted hours will impede their work on Canadian history, and that this step was taken without any public consultations. We have written to the National Archivist to request a delay in implementing these changes until those consultations have taken place. We will keep you posted.

In the meantime, those researchers who are concerned about the scaling back of hours of service may wish to express their own concerns to Library and Archives Canada directly. LAC has has invited the public to contact Antonio Lechasseur, Director, Client Services Division at web@lac-bac.gc.ca or 613-996-5115 or 1-866-578-7777 (toll-free in Canada and the United States); TTY: 613-992-6969 or 1-866-299-1699 (toll-free in Canada).

Craig Heron
President
Canadian Historical Association