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Volume 1, Number 4, November-December 2005 Message from Ian E. Wilson
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 Ian E. Wilson, Librarian and Archivist of Canada Source |
The digital information age brings both opportunity and challenge. On the opportunity side, digital information is now readily created and avidly consumed within all sectors of Canadian society. But on the challenge side, it is unclear how long digital information will remain accessible, or what should be retained, by whom, and how.
Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has a long-standing interest and stake in digital information, as we recognize that Canada's documentary heritage is increasingly being created in digital form. Because a key part of our mission is to facilitate co-operation among the communities involved in the acquisition, preservation and diffusion of knowledge, we are pleased to encourage discussion and collaboration on the complex set of digital information issues.
To explore the possibility of a national digital information strategy, LAC convened a meeting on October 17 and 18, 2005 with representatives from Canadian organizations engaged in producing, preserving and providing access to digital information.
The 52 participants agreed that more focused and collaborative activity was required, to make more digital content available for Canadians and to preserve it over time. As one participant put it, we need to think of digital information as the country's "intellectual and information capital" and invest in its growth, longevity and accessibility accordingly.
The group called on LAC to act as a "hub" in coordinating the development of a national strategy--a role we are prepared to play--and suggested that the strategy reflect a decentralized model and be incremental in approach. Participants endorsed the idea of a national digital information summit as the next key step to advancing a strategy. This summit is planned for March 2 and 3, 2006.