Meeting #14: Records of Dubious Research Value: Developing and Implementing Acquisition Policy for the Records of Non-Profit Organizations at Library and Archives Canada

When: Monday, June 8th, 4-5 PM.

Where: TBD

Text under discussion:

Robert C. Fisher, Records of Dubious Research Value: Developing and Implementing Acquisition Policy for the Records of Non-Profit Organizations at Library and Archives Canada. Archivaria 62, pp. 47-75. Fisher Archivaria.pdf

Abstract:

In response to severe budget cuts, Library and Archives Canada introduced a strict acquisition policy for private archives in 1995 designed to significantly reduce acquisition activity. Part of the new policy required non-profit organizations to contribute resources, human or monetary, toward the arrangement and description of their records as a prerequisite to acquisition by LAC. This contribution could range anywhere from full-funding to assistance in preliminary arrangement and description. The adoption of this acquisition policy reflected an emerging view that the fonds of organizations held less archival value than those of individuals and, in effect, downgraded the records of organizations at LAC as a priority for acquisition. This article examines the theoretical environment – the debates and assumptions – in the Canadian archival community and within LAC leading up to this decision, and examines LAC’s experience of implementing this policy over ten years through seven case studies of organizations upon which it had an impact. It concludes with a discussion of the lessons learned through this practical experience and some more general reflections on the archival record of non-profit organizations.

Discussion leader:

Laura Tatum