Library and Archives Canada (LAC) and Dalhousie University will collaborate in several key areas to share expertise, knowledge, research practices, technological developments as well as proactively facilitating outreach to promote Canadian documentary heritage.

The agreement was signed on October 15 by Librarian and Archivist of Canada Dr. Guy Berthiaume, and Dalhousie University President Dr. Richard Florizone.

“It is crucial for Library and Archives Canada to build enhanced relationships with respected, like-minded institutions across the country”, said Dr. Guy Berthiaume, Librarian and Archivist of Canada. “The partnership with Dalhousie will allow us, among other things, to build upon the presence of the LAC regional service centre in Dartmouth (part of the Halifax Regional Municipality) and upon an excellent School of Information Management at the University.”

We are so very pleased to be the second university in Canada to partner with Library and Archives Canada,” says Dr. Richard Florizone, Dalhousie University President. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to share with one another the knowledge and expertise that will help support the innovative work our organizations are undertaking.”

Examples of collaborations made possible by this partnership include:

• Undertaking exchanges of expertise (ex. Through Interchange Canada) to support the development of specific skills;
• LAC hosting Dalhousie University students through formal work placement programs (Federal Student Experience Work Program and COOP) and tours of facilities;
• LAC and Dalhousie University sharing knowledge and expertise through training programs and workshops;

“This is an exciting initiative that provides an opportunity for Dalhousie University, through the Dalhousie Libraries and the School of Information Management, and Library and Archives Canada to work together and share expertise and resources that exist at both of our great institutions,” says Donna Bourne-Tyson, University Librarian.

A coordination committee composed of four members from the University and four from LAC will recommend and evaluate possible projects on which to collaborate.