Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search

Info Source 2025 : Library and Archives Canada

On this page

1. Legend

List of abbreviations for terms used throughout the document:

ATIP
Access to Information and Privacy
CAF
Canadian Armed Forces
CIP
Cataloguing in Publication
CoRs
Classes of Records
DA
Disposition Authorization
DND
Department of National Defence
GC
Government of Canada
IM
Information Management
LAC
Library and Archives Canada
PI
Personal Information
PIAs
Privacy Impact Assessments
PIBs
Personal Information Banks
PR
Personnel Record
PRI
Personal Record Identifier
PSPC
Public Services and Procurement Canada
RCN
Royal Canadian Navy
RDACS
Records Disposition Authorities Control System
SIN
Social Insurance Number
TBS
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
VAC
Veterans Affairs Canada

2. General Information

Introduction to Info Source

Info Source describes the programs and activities, as well as the information holdings related to programs and activities, of government institutions subject to the Access to Information Act to facilitate the right of access. It also provides individuals, including current and former employees of the Government of Canada, with relevant information to access personal information about themselves held by government institutions subject to the Privacy Act and to exercise their rights under the Privacy Act.

An index of institutions that are subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act is available centrally.

The Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act assign overall responsibility for the government-wide administration of the legislation to the President of Treasury Board as the designated minister.

Background

Founded in 1872 as a division within the Department of Agriculture, the Dominion Archives was transformed into the autonomous Public Archives of Canada in 1912 and renamed the National Archives of Canada in 1987. The National Library of Canada was originally established by an act of Parliament in 1953.

The Library and Archives of Canada Act established Library and Archives Canada (LAC) on April 22, 2004. A subsequent Order-in-Council dated May 21, 2004, united the collections, services and personnel of the National Archives of Canada and the National Library of Canada.

Since inception, LAC has reported to Parliament through the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Responsibilities

LAC is a federal institution tasked with acquiring, preserving and making Canada’s documentary heritage accessible. It combines the holdings, services and staff of both the former National Library of Canada and the National Archives of Canada. For information on LAC’s responsibilities, please consult our mandate.

LAC has two core program responsibilities:

For more information about these responsibilities and related program activities, please consult LAC’s Departmental Plan 2025-2026.

LAC’s strategic policies

LAC uses evidence-based research and policies and makes strategic decisions to deliver its mandate to Canadians in an accountable and transparent manner. LAC’s strategic policy suites ensure consistency and coherence among different parts of the institution and alignment with relevant Government of Canada policies and priorities.

All LAC staff are involved in policy development. Strategic direction is provided by senior management, who approve strategic policy frameworks (broad principles) and related policies (requirements and responsibilities). Operational areas implement these policies. LAC’s strategic policy suites are periodically reviewed.

For more information on LAC’s major policies, please consult LAC Strategic Policy Suites.

How to read Info Source

This section defines the components of Info Source so members of the public, government institutions and employees can determine which resources are located within each of LAC’s information holdings.

Program

A program is a group of related resource inputs and activities that LAC directs to fulfill specific areas of its mandate. These programs align with the core responsibilities described in LAC’s 2025-2026 Departmental Plan.

Sub-program

Each program is further divided into sub-programs. At LAC, the sub-program level is accountable for the records found in its Classes of Records.

Class of Records

A Class of Records (CoR) describes the records created, collected and maintained by LAC as evidence of and information about a particular institutional program or activity. These records are subject to requests under the Access to Information Act. If these records contain personal information, the CoR will have a Personal Information Bank associated with it.

Personal Information Banks

Personal Information Banks (PIBs) describe the personal information collected, used and maintained by government institutions in support of specific programs and activities. The Privacy Act requires that a government institution maintain PIBs to describe all personal information that has been or is being used for administrative purposes and/or is organized and retrievable by a person’s name or by an identifying number, symbol or other particular assigned only to that person. Please see the Treasury Board Secretariat’s Glossary of Terms on Access to Information and Privacy for more information about PIBs.

As the government institution responsible for collecting and preserving Canada’s documentary heritage, LAC maintains PIBs relating to the personnel files of members of the Canadian Forces and former federal employees, in addition to PIBs relating to its own institutional functions, programs and activities in accordance with the Library and Archives of Canada Act.

3. Institutional Programs and Activities

Institution-specific content

Acquiring and preserving documentary heritage

Library and Archives of Canada (LAC) acquires documentary heritage of historical value and preserves it for current and future generations, as mandated in the Library and Archives of Canada Act. Its collection is made up of documentary heritage preserved in a variety of media and formats. LAC advises the Government of Canada and its institutions on the management of information and ensures that records of historical value are transferred to its collection. Through legal deposit, all materials submitted by Canadian publishers and publishing individuals become part of its collection, as well as a sampling of Internet content. Other non-government records of national significance are acquired to document Canadian society. LAC uses state-of-the-art techniques and infrastructure to restore the collection and provide optimal conditions for long-term preservation. LAC also builds its capacity and expertise to ensure the availability of digital records.

Acquisition and processing of government records

LAC acquires records of historical value from Government of Canada institutions. These records, which are increasingly digital, document decisions and activities of federal government institutions. Through disposition authorizations and recordkeeping advice, tools and guidance, this program ensures that the government’s historical records are identified, appropriately transferred to LAC and made discoverable for the use of Canadians.

Facilitation of Government of Canada information management

LAC facilitates the management of information within federal institutions by evaluating information resources, issuing records disposition authorizations and developing tools, advice, guidelines and information management (IM) community development events that support the implementation of sound recordkeeping practices. Furthermore, LAC provides input on IM policies and standards by participating in many intergovernmental, interjurisdictional, and international committees.

Information management and disposition of government records

LAC issues disposition authorizations to legally permit government institutions to dispose of records that no longer have operational value, either by permitting their destruction (at the discretion of institutions), by requiring their transfer to LAC or by agreeing to their alienation from the control of the Government of Canada.

Acquisition and processing of private archives

Through this program, LAC acquires non-governmental documentary heritage of historical value from the general public, national institutions, non-governmental organizations and the private sector through donation and purchase agreements. This program ensures that private archives, both analog and digital, are acquired and made discoverable for the use of Canadians.

Acquisition and processing of published heritage

In accordance with the Library and Archives of Canada Act and the Legal Deposit of Publications Regulations, this program acquires materials produced by Canadian publishers and publishing individuals, regardless of medium or format. Canadian materials published before 1953 or not subject to legal deposit are acquired by purchase or gift. This program also includes the digital operations by which LAC acquires sampling from the Internet (web archiving). All publications acquired are described and made discoverable for the use of Canadians.

Cataloguing in Publication

LAC issues Cataloguing in Publication (CIP) data blocks: brief summaries of standardized bibliographic descriptions for forthcoming publications.

International Standard Numbers

LAC issues International Standard Numbers (ISNs), including ISSN, ISBN and ISMN, which are unique numerical identifiers for books, pamphlets, educational kits, microforms, CD-ROMs and other digital and electronic publications, as well as serial publications and notated music. LAC manages the ISSN Canada online system, a free service that allows publishers to manage their ISN account and logbook, to assign their ISNs to future publications and to modify information about their publications. LAC provides access to the names and contact information of Canadian publishers who have been assigned ISNs through the Canadian ISBN Publisher Directory.

Preservation

LAC manages a vast collection of material to ensure its preservation for the benefit of current and future generations. This program includes the activities related to the physical management of the analog and digital collection, specifically

LAC also manages digital content, such as digitized documents, and migrates content to digital formats, as well as pursuing innovative strategies to ensure the integrity and authenticity of digital documentary resources and their current and long-term preservation.

Preservation copying

Preservation copying involves the reproduction of an original from LAC’s collection of documentary heritage using a variety of analog or digital means. This copy serves as a permanent replacement for a deteriorated, unstable, fragile or obsolete original, or is used in lieu of rare or vulnerable items subject to loss or damage due to their medium, format or value. Preservation copying also includes the transfer and refreshment of audio, video, film and electronic files to new carriers, often to manage technological obsolescence. The goal of preservation copying is to transfer information as faithfully as possible, ensuring an accurate rendition of the original.

Web and social media preservation

LAC’s Web and Social Media Preservation Program acquires Canadian web resources for the purposes of digital preservation and makes them available to the public via the Government of Canada Web Archive (GCWA) for future research.

Providing access to documentary heritage

LAC provides access to its collection while respecting legal, policy and contractual obligations. Using cutting-edge technologies, LAC enables Canadians to access and consult its collection and enrich their knowledge of Canada’s documentary heritage. LAC makes digital content available through its website and social media to improve access to its collection. As well, LAC provides online services and in-person services at its four service points. LAC uses innovative strategies, such as crowdsourcing (Co-Lab) and the Digi-Lab, to complement the digital content of its collection. LAC also promotes Canadian heritage by creating exhibitions that enable the public to discover its collection in cultural sites throughout Canada. Through the Documentary Heritage Communities Program, LAC supports memory organizations by increasing their capacity to preserve and make their collections accessible.

Access to information and privacy

As the permanent custodian of the archival records of the Government of Canada, LAC’s ATIP function has the mandate to respond to access to information and privacy requests to provide access to the archival records of over 300 active and inactive federal departments and agencies. The Access to Information Act gives Canadian citizens and permanent residents as well as individuals and corporations present in Canada the right to seek access to records under the control of a federal government institution. The Privacy Act provides Canadian citizens and individuals present in Canada the right to seek access to their personal information that is held by the federal government and protects that information from its collection, use, retention and unauthorized disclosure.

Outreach and support to communities

This program includes all public programming activities that help promote LAC’s collection through physical or virtual exhibitions and events, as well as all partnering activities that allow LAC to deliver its mandate in a collaborative way. This program also includes the Documentary Heritage Communities Program, which provides financial contributions to promote Canada's local documentary heritage institutions, to facilitate access to their collections and to increase the capacity of these institutions to preserve their collections in a sustainable way.

Loans

LAC loans items from its collection to other libraries within Canada when the material is not available elsewhere, as well as for dissemination purposes, to facilitate access to public and private records of national significance.

Public services

This program provides access to original and digital versions of LAC’s collection by making them available to clients. LAC provides access to its collection through reference and consultation services, digitizing content, creating online guides and tools, reviewing copyright restrictions and projects and partnerships for increased access to digital collections. These services are available in person at various locations across Canada, online, and through other channels.

Military and civilian personnel records

The following Classes of Records (CoR) and Personal Information Banks (PIB) describe the personnel files of former members of the Canadian Forces and former Government of Canada employees held in LAC’s collection. Access to these records is provided via LAC’s access to information and privacy (ATIP) team, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

Consultation of published and archival material

LAC users can request to consult archival or published materials on site. A user card is required to submit an order. Restrictions may apply.

Internal services

Acquisition services

Acquisition services involve activities undertaken to acquire goods or services to fulfill a properly completed request (including a complete and accurate definition of requirements and certification that funds are available) until entering into or amending a contract.

Communications services

Communications services involve activities to ensure that Government of Canada communications are effectively managed, well coordinated and responsive to the diverse information needs of the public. The communications management function ensures that the public—internal or external—receives government information and that the views and concerns of the public are taken into account in the planning, management and evaluation of policies, programs, services and initiatives.

Financial management services

Financial management services involve activities to ensure the prudent use of public resources, including planning, budgeting, accounting, reporting, control and oversight, analysis, decision support and advice and financial systems.

Human resources management services

Human resources management services involve activities for determining strategic direction and allocating resources among services and processes, as well as activities relating to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies and plans.

Information management services

Information management (IM) services involve activities to achieve efficient and effective information management to support program and service delivery; foster informed decision-making; facilitate accountability, transparency and collaboration; and preserve and ensure access to information and records for the benefit of present and future generations.

Information technology services

Information technology services involve activities to achieve efficient and effective use of information technology to support government priorities and program delivery, increase productivity and enhance services to the public.

Legal services

Legal services involve activities to enable government departments and agencies to pursue policy, program and service delivery priorities and objectives within a legally sound framework.

Management and oversight services

Management and oversight services involve activities for determining strategic direction and allocating resources among services and processes, as well as those activities related to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the Government of Canada comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies or plans.

Materiel services

Materiel services involve activities to ensure that materiel can be managed by departments in a sustainable and financially responsible manner that supports the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.

Real property services

Real property services involve activities to ensure that real property is managed in a sustainable and financially responsible manner throughout its life cycle to support cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.

Travel and other administrative services

Travel and other administrative services include GC travel services as well as those other internal services that do not smoothly fit with any of the internal services categories.

4.  Classes of Personal Information

Classes of personal information describe personal information that is not used for administrative purposes or is not intended to be retrievable by personal identifiers. Examples include unsolicited opinions, complaints or correspondence. This category is included to ensure that LAC is accountable for all personal information it holds.

5.  Manuals

LAC uses the following instructions, handbooks and written procedures in administering its institutional programs and activities that affect the general public:

  • Access to Information, Privacy and Personnel Records Procedures Manual
  • Canadian Subject Headings (English only)
  • Class PS8000: A Classification for Canadian Literature
  • Class FC: A Classification for Canadian History
  • Collection Development Policy of the National Library of Canada
  • Computerized Information Service Manual
  • Cooperative Online Serials Program (CONSER) Cataloguing Manual and Editing Guide
  • Government Operations Division (formerly Government Archives Division) Procedure Manual
  • Information Classification and Designation Guide
  • International Standard Music Number (ISMN) User’s Manual
  • International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) Manual
  • LAC Library and Archives Canada Rule Interpretations
  • Machine-Readable Cataloguing (MARC) 21 Format for Authority Data
  • Machine-Readable Cataloguing (MARC) 21 Format for Bibliographic Data
  • MARC 21 Format for Holdings Data
  • MARC 21 Format for Classification Data
  • MARC 21 Format for Community Information
  • National Library of Canada (NLC) Subject Cataloguing Manual
  • Official Publications Manual
  • Periodicals Section Manual
  • Records Management File Classification Manual
  • Records Management: Organization and Procedures
  • Répertoire de vedettes-matière (French only)
  • Resource Description and Access (RDA) Toolkit
  • Rules for Archival Description
  • Serials Records Section
  • Statistics Manual
  • Symbols and Interlibrary Loan Policies in Canada
  • Systems Assurance Manual
  • Technicians’ Manual

    • 6.  Contracts

    (under development)

    7.  Information-Sharing Arrangements

    Information-sharing arrangements for ATIP services

    Summary:

    LAC has information-sharing arrangements with departments for the cost recovery of ATIP services when the documents coming from those departments must be redacted.

    8.  Additional Information

    Information about access to information and privacy at LAC, including how to file Access to Information Act or Privacy Act requests by mail and online, can be found on LAC’s Access to Information, Privacy and Personnel Records website.

    Reading room

    In accordance with the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, applicants may wish to review material in person. LAC has four service points in Ottawa, Halifax, Winnipeg and Vancouver.

    Completed access to information requests

    The Government of Canada encourages the release of information through informal requests made outside of the ATIP process. Records released in response to completed Access to Information Act requests processed by LAC can be obtained informally. For more information, consult completed ATI requests.

    Open data

    The Government of Canada seeks to provide greater access to government data and information. Government data and digital records can be obtained through the Open Government portal.

    Page details

    Date modified: