From Custodian to Advisor: Reshaping Québec Parliamentary Library's Role in Records Management

Abstract

Under Québec’s Archives Act, documents produced by Members of the National Assembly are designated as private archives, giving parliamentarians significant autonomy over their records. Historically, this led to limited organizational support for Members and political staff. In an increasingly digital parliamentary environment, sound records management is vital to preserving institutional memory, supporting transparency, and maintaining democratic trust across political transitions.

Building on the successful implementation of an electronic document and records management system for its administrative staff, the Library of the National Assembly of Québec is launching a pilot advisory service for Members and political staff at the start of the next legislature.

This lightning talk outlines the objectives, tools, and initial challenges of this initiative. It demonstrates how a parliamentary library can leverage its expertise as a memory institution to establish evidence-based digital practices, assist parliamentarians in managing their private archives, and strengthen democratic resilience through enhanced preservation of parliamentary memory.