Improving Digital Services and Access to Collections at Library and Archives Canada

Abstract

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has taken strides to address the current digital reality when it comes to providing client services. LAC formed from the merger of the National Library of Canada and National Archives of Canada in 2004.1 Its mandate includes preserving and making accessible Canadian documentary heritage; facilitating cooperation among Canadian communities, and sharing knowledge; and acting as the memory of the Government of Canada.2 LAC's extensive holdings include archival records from public or private individuals or groups in all media as well as published material by or about Canadians (e.g., books, serials, movies, music, theses, microfilm).3 Providing easy access to LAC’s holdings has to start with a proper online presence. Today’s users expect more online and, although creating these services is not rocket science, putting the building blocks in place is not simple. LAC has struggled for some time to determine how to offer a sign-in application that could provide similar services to what a client experiences at a physical location. Much work devoted to the effort using traditional project development methodologies did not yield substantial results for almost 15 years. By contrast, the Digital Access Agile team created this product in only four months releasing it to the public in February 2022.