Canadian history, made in the U.S.A.

OTTAWA—For completeness, historians depend on the broadest of cataloguing and ease of access to research materials. Before the digital age, Canadian research was handicapped by a lack of a complete national consolidated catalogue. As the technology advanced, it became possible to create an electronic National Union Catalogue from the huge number of smaller and large archives across the nation. It was agreed that a fully accessible national archive was in the best interests of Canada. In 2004, the Library and Archives of Canada Act, S.C. 2004, c. 11 stipulated that it was necessary that the documentary heritage of Canada be preserved for the benefit of present and future generations; that Canada be served by an institution that is a source of enduring knowledge accessible to all, contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada as a free and democratic society; and that such an institution facilitate in Canada cooperation among the communities involved in the acquisition, preservation and diffusion of knowledge. The Library and Archives of Canada (LAC) set up the first online national catalogue of primary source material and it was called AMICUS. At its launch in 1995, AMICUS enabled researchers to look for material across some 1,300 libraries and archives. It was considered at its inception the premier database of Canadian bibliographic materials in the country. AMICUS was made in Canada and was a publicly owned resource. With technological advances and developments of library science, AMICUS sadly was left behind, likely due to lack of funding. It was clear by 2014 that a new National Union Catalogue database and retrieval system was required. By that time the premier world software for archives and libraries was deemed to be the former Ohio College Library Center, renamed Online Catalogue Library Center (OCLC), a non-public,not-for-profit membership co-operative headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. While OCLC holds some interests in Canada, these are minor and might have been put in place in order for OCLC to be compliant with the request for proposals. In the absence of any competition, OCLC was sole sourced to become the holder of the union catalogue of Canadian libraries and archives. The advanced Canadian award notice stated that OCLC was the only known service provider that met all the requirements. Despite protest by the Canadian Association of Professional Academic Librarians, no effort was made to upgrade AMICUS or otherwise expand capabilities to maintain an all-Canadian union catalogue. The service was awarded to OCLC in 2017. The cost of this purchase appears to be at least $4.9-million for the five years. The annual cost for each additional year up to five years is rumoured to be around $2.7-million. The catalogue of Canadian historical documents is now held, accessed, and controlled in the U.S. Two consequences emerged almost immediately. In April 2019, the Library and Archives Canada, with little warning, discontinued AMICUS. Smaller archives, such as the Naval Marine Archive in Picton, Ont., not in receipt of other funding to subscribe to OCLC services, were isolated from the new union catalogue. Furthermore, due to the copyright transfers compelled by OCLC, smaller non-profit archives must reconfigure their database and then buy from OCLC the access to their own digital catalogue of bibliographic records developed by thousands of volunteer hours. The unique collections held in these smaller organizations who cannot afford the costly annual subscription for OCLC memberships are no longer visible or easily accessible to Canadian researchers. Under the control of an American corporation, the accessibility and visibility of Canadian historical documents have been reduced. It begs the question: how many other collections have been similarly isolated? Furthermore, in the hands of a third party, Canadian historical research is now subject to unknown fees and restrictions that benefit U.S. business politically, economically, and technologically according to the times. Despite the best intentions, the risk to future Canadian historical research being influenced by the elephant to the south is clear and present. Although, many services and goods are purchased from non-Canadian sources for business, quality, and perhaps political reasons, I argue that the union catalogue of Canadian archives and libraries should not be outsourced to a non-public company based in a foreign nation. The OCLC contract is up for renewal in 2022. The Department of Canadian Heritage and other ministries responsible are urged to reconsider this out-of-Canada contract to private business and find a solution that ensures Canadian history will be made accessible and preserved in Canada by Canadians. Retired naval Captain George Zimmerman served in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1972 to 2010. He has served as a Reserve naval officer and then, for 30 years, as a Regular Force Chaplain. A Presbyterian minister, Reverend Zimmerman is currently serving St. David and St. Martin Church in Ottawa, Ont. The Hill Times

Canadian history, made in the U.S.A.

The catalogue of Canadian historical documents is now held, accessed, and controlled in the U.S. Two consequences emerged almost immediately.

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Canadian history, made in the U.S.A.

The catalogue of Canadian historical documents is now held, accessed, and controlled in the U.S. Two consequences emerged almost immediately.

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