Library and Archives Canada to offer its public services from a new service point in Vancouver
News Release
October 5, 2016 — Vancouver, British Columbia
Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is pleased to announce that it will be enhancing its collaboration with the Vancouver Public Library (VPL), bringing to a close a process launched last year through a call for interest to organizations in British Columbia. Starting in the spring of 2017, LAC will offer in-person services to the public from an exciting new location in the heart of Vancouver.
LAC’s presence in VPL’s Central Library downtown—a highly popular, architecturally-acclaimed knowledge and cultural facility—will give more Canadians better access to their national heritage. LAC’s clients in the Pacific region will benefit from expanded LAC orientation services and future collaborative initiatives such as exhibitions and public programming.
Local archival records from INAC staying in the Vancouver area
LAC currently has a warehouse and offices in the Vancouver suburb of Burnaby where researchers can access the local collection. Clients visiting LAC at our new service point will continue to have access to the archival records created by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), and its predecessor institutions in British Columbia and the Yukon. As part of this transition, the remainder of the archival collections from Burnaby will be available for consultation at LAC’s facility in Ottawa or by obtaining copies through LAC’s reprography service.
Quick Facts
- LAC will offer its orientation and reference services from a service desk located within VPL’s Central Library Special Collections area on the 7th floor.
- Clients coming on-site will also have access to LAC’s specialized databases and vast collection of digital online content such as census files, photos, films, sound recordings, art, maps, etc.
Quotes
“Having a significant footprint on the West Coast is a priority for Library and Archives Canada and this new partnership represents an exciting opportunity. It will allow us to offer greatly enhanced in-person services thanks to this collaboration with the Vancouver Public Library, an institution renowned for being at the cutting-edge of innovation.”
– Dr. Guy Berthiaume, Librarian and Archivist of Canada
“This is an exciting partnership, and it represents an important opportunity for VPL to support the expanding reach of Canada’s national heritage institution. In concert with VPL Special Collections, this will bring together an extraordinary suite of heritage resources, not only connecting to Vancouver and British Columbia but on the national level as well.”
– Ms. Sandra Singh, Chief Librarian of the Vancouver Public Library
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Contact (media only)
Media Relations
Library and Archives Canada
819-994-4589
bac.media.lac@canada.ca
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.
Follow us on Twitter (@LibraryArchives), Facebook, Flickr and YouTube.
About Vancouver Public Library
Vancouver Public Library has been dedicated to meeting the lifelong learning, reading and information needs of Vancouver residents for more than 100 years. Our vision is an informed, engaged, and connected city. Our mission is a free place for everyone to discover, create and share ideas and information. Last year, VPL had more than 6.8 million visits with patrons borrowing almost 9.4 million physical and digital items including: books, ebooks, movies, music and magazines. Across 21 locations, VPL is the most-visited major urban library per capita in Canada.
VPL is online at VPL.ca, Twitter (@VPL) and Facebook (VancouverPublicLibrary).
Dr. Guy Berthiaume and Ms. Sandra Singh
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