CIDL Activities 2006

CIDL Ends Mandate
Invitation to Join AlouetteCanada

February 1, 2007

Dear CIDL Member:

It is with both regret and optimism that I announce the dissolution of CIDL, effective March 31, 2007. On January 25, 2007, the CIDL Steering Committee passed a resolution to dissolve CIDL and to fully endorse AlouetteCanada as its logical successor through which to realize our dreams for Digital Canada numérique.

The Canadian Initiative on Digital Libraries has experienced, in terms of time measured in the digital world, a long and productive 10-year existence. With little revenue beyond modest membership fees, but with the full dedication of its members, steering committees and secretariat support from Library and Archives Canada, it has offered a rallying point and touchstone for digital initiatives in Canada.

CIDL, presently at 52 members, has facilitated discussion and information sharing on digital library issues, and important cross-sector collaboration on digital projects, in a way that no other organization could have done. CIDL was and is very much a grassroots organization whose ambitions culminated in a bold new vision, emanating from the Winnipeg conference of 2004, for the creation of the new CIDL: Digital Canada numérique or DCn. DCn was envisioned as a collaborative and multi-sector membership alliance of memory organizations that would enable Canadians access to high quality cultural heritage resources.

How to move forward with that vision with extremely limited resources has been the persistent question since then.

A little over a year ago the CARL (Canadian Association of Research Libraries) members of CIDL, representing approximately half of our membership, decided to take a bold step. They joined with other members of CARL to create and to provide start-up funding for AlouetteCanada, an initiative to quickly grow and promote Canadian digital content. This has always been one of the main objectives of CIDL.

CIDL began consultations with AlouetteCanada to see how the expertise of the two entities could be leveraged and shared, and to what extent the visions of both entities could be furthered. As a result, a member of CIDL's Steering Committee, Johanna Wellheiser, was invited to sit on the AlouetteCanada Steering Committee. As well, many members of CIDL's technical working groups began to work on projects in AlouetteCanada, and the past Chair of CIDL, Brian Bell, was employed as its first Executive Director.

With the significant participation of CIDL in AlouetteCanada activities, it quickly became clear that both entities largely shared the same goals as envisioned for DCn. It was therefore decided to begin exploratory negotiations with AlouetteCanada to see if and how CIDL members could logically transition into AlouetteCanada as a means of avoiding duplication of effort and focusing all resources more effectively on a shared vision.

In November 2006, the steering committees of AlouetteCanada and CIDL formed a joint subcommittee to establish a transitional governance structure for AlouetteCanada with the important goal of creating an arrangement where all CIDL members can continue to participate and support their digital ambitions. CIDL and AlouetteCanada believe that together they have now successfully developed a governance structure which fulfills this goal. It incorporates and acknowledges the longstanding role of CIDL and the many contributions of its members.

Two key components of the governance structure are:

• The transitional governance body of AlouetteCanada has reserved two seats for former CIDL members (one academic, one public); and will continue to include Brian Bell, the immediate past president of CIDL, as Executive Director.
• Both the Supporting Member and Allied Member membership categories for AlouetteCanada will allow CIDL members (who are not CARL members) to transfer their memberships to AlouetteCanada at special introductory rates. These rates are the same as current CIDL membership rates ($1000 and $300) and will remain in effect for a period of two years. (Existing CARL-CIDL members agreed to tax themselves at a significantly higher average rate of $8,500 to ensure appropriate start-up funding for AlouetteCanada).

CIDL has been a strong resource and advocate for the creation of a digital Canada. Through AlouetteCanada it sees the possibility of realizing the goals it had for DCn. We encourage you to join AlouetteCanada as the logical next step in meeting your ambitions for your digital initiatives, and upon invitation from them, to allocate your upcoming CIDL membership dues to the new organization.

We thank you for your dedicated support over the past many years and hope the fruits of that support will be fully realized in the new AlouetteCanada through your continued involvement. We also thank AlouetteCanada for creating a new and exciting opportunity for all CIDL members, and for enabling a thoughtful and graceful transition to a new organization.

We will make available further details on the transition as they are known. For background information please see either the CIDL [www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/cidl/040021-406-e.html] or AlouetteCanada website [www.alouettecanada.ca/].

Yours sincerely,
William R. Maes (University Librarian, Dalhousie University Libraries)
Chair, CIDL Steering Committee

CIDL and AlouetteCanada: Joint Task Force

In October 2006, the CIDL and AlouetteCanada steering committees agreed to establish a joint task force to review framework options for governance of and membership in AlouetteCanada. The goal is to identify a sustainable model for AlouetteCanada that will have broad appeal to the Canadian cultural heritage sector, thus attracting both CARL and non-CARL members from the CIDL community, as well as archives, museums and other communities.

It is anticipated that this may provide the mechanism for the evolution of CIDL into AlouetteCanada. In turn, this momentum will encourage collaboration, and support the effective digitization of Canada's documentary heritage. CIDL's Digital Canada numerique vision will help to inform and support these discussions. Under review are a number of international organizational models.

The joint task force members from AlouetteCanada: Brian Bell (Director), Ernie Ingles (University of Alberta Library), Tim Mark (CARL) and John Teskey (University of New Brunswick); and from CIDL: Gwen Ebbett (University of Windsor Library), Johanna Wellheiser (Toronto Public Library) and Bill Maes (Dalhousie University Library). Ralph Manning of Library and Archives Canada has observer status.

The task force held its first meeting October 30, and will continue meetings in November and December. Plans are for a draft proposal to be prepared for early 2007.

CIDL: In discussion with AlouetteCanada since June 2006

CIDL recognizes that within the Canadian digitization community this is a time of transition and an opportunity to clarify roles. We continue to explore opportunities for the creation of Digital Canada numérique, or integration with other established and emerging initiatives.

A key CIDL role is to encourage collaboration among Canadian libraries and memory institutions to improve digtization services to Canadians. In that vein, CIDL has been active in discussions with AlouetteCanada (formerly the Open Canada Digitization Initiative) to advance the effective digitization of Canada's documentary heritage.

On Monday June 19, 2006, CIDL Chair Bill Maes (Dalhousie University Library), Vice-Chair Johanna Wellheiser (Toronto Public Library), and Steering Committee member Magdalene Albert (canadiana.org) met in Toronto with Carole Moore, Chair, Alouette-Canada Steering Committee; John Teskey, President, Canadian Association of Research Libraries and Tim Mark, Executive Director, CARL. Also in attendance were Katherine McColgan, Project Coordinator, AlouetteCanada and Michelle Landriault, CIDL Coordinator.

Bill Maes summarized the meeting in a June 26 letter to Carole Moore: "I believe the meeting was very informative and productive for both parties. My understanding of the outcomes of the meeting is:

AlouetteCanada will consider a seat for CIDL on the Steering Committee.

AlouetteCanada will consider formal CIDL representation on the Technical Committee.

CIDL will focus on issues relating to metadata and support AlouetteCanada through a continuation of this activity.

CIDL is prepared to offer AlouetteCanada assistance with its communications and marketing through further collaborative development of its Inventory of Canadian Digital Initiatives, web forum, newsletter and existing network of members.

"I hope these points reflect your understanding of the outcomes of the meeting and that upon further discussion within AlouetteCanada and CIDL we can move forward with their implementation.

"CIDL wishes AlouetteCanada every success and is prepared to offer whatever assistance it can to make its vision a reality. "It is a vision not unlike the original and continuing vision CIDL shared with its members so many years ago. Hopefully, AlouetteCanada can achieve the necessary momentum and support to provide Canada with its rich cultural heritage in digital form, accessible to all."

Subsequent to the June 19 meeting, CIDL Vice-chair Johanna Wellheiser (Toronto Public Library) was named the CIDL representative on the AlouetteCanada Steering Committee. CIDL also has a representative on the AC Technical Committee.

A New Identity for CIDL:
Proposal to Create Digital Canada numerique

Setting a New Direction

In the last several years, CIDL embarked upon a period of self-evaluation and outreach discussion to review how to best direct its alliance and its future plans to provide benefit and value to members and communities. CIDL is and has been an active participant in the debate and planning taking place in Canada today to create a made-in-Canada national digital information strategy.

In response to the changing public policy agenda and calls for the development of a national strategy (CIDL Open Meetings 2002 and 2004; Library and Archives Canada Consultations 2004 and 2005; Canadian Association of Research Libraries Fall General Meeting November 2005), CIDL concluded that a fundamental change to transform its role and mission is required.

It is proposed that:

CIDL move to a new identity in 2006 as Digital Canada numérique, and seek partners to continue development of this critical initiative.

The CIDL Steering Committee accepted comments until May 15, 2006. We thank all the participants.

Draft vision for Digital Canada numérique

Background

The Canadian Initiative on Digital Libraries (CIDL) was established in 1997 as an alliance of Canadian libraries that recognizes the importance of digital information.
About CIDL

Current Mission and Organization

The Canadian Initiative on Digital Libraries promotes, coordinates and facilitates the development of Canadian digital collections and services to optimize national interoperability and long-term access to Canadian digital library resources.

CIDL is directed by a steering committee. Working groups are formed to address issues identified by the membership. CIDL currently has a membership of 54 Canadian libraries and related non-profit organizations from the academic, public and special sectors. CIDL secretariat operations are supported by Library and Archives Canada.

Achievements to date

CIDL has a number of projects such as development of the online Inventory of Canadian Digital Initiatives, and the submission of the successful grant proposal to the Department of Canadian Heritage to create Our Roots, a Canadian local history website that continues to expand.

CIDL continues to respond to current issues by holding consultations on a variety of topics such as the Electronic Theses Consultation in 2000 and the Canadian Newspapers Online: National Consultation in 2002. CIDL holds Open Meetings to address specific issues and direct the work of the alliance. CIDL Working Groups explore and report on issues surrounding the use of metadata. CIDL sponsors annual learning opportunities, such as workshop bursaries, to assist members with their digitization project work. The CIDL newsletter, CIDL News, reports on members' activities and advances in digitization.

Digital Canada numérique

1. Mission

Digital Canada numérique (DCn) brokers, coordinates, lobbies, facilitates and fosters collaboration and information sharing toward the establishment and continuing development of a national infrastructure to support the creation, preservation and dissemination of digital cultural heritage content of interest to Canadians.

2. Vision

Digital Canada numérique envisions:

a) A collaborative membership alliance of memory organizations that supports a Canadian national digital strategy.

b) A multi-sector partnership initiative representing libraries, archives, museums/galleries, educational institutions, associations, government and industry.

c) A flexible and agile alliance focused on leadership, strategic guidance, innovation and support of key organizational, business and technological aspects of digital content development, dissemination and preservation.

d) A digital network of information services that will inter-operate to enable Canadians across the country access to high quality resources.

3. Assumptions and Principles

The following assumptions have guided deliberations:

a) To maximize its strengths, DCn will need as its core participants from various types of memory institutions and organizations from across the country that are actively engaged in digital content development and delivery.

b) The continued move of memory collections and services into a networked digital environment will continue to impact directly on how institutions are organized, resourced, and perceived.

c) As a leadership alliance for the development and support of digital content, DCn will remain at arm's length and not directly operate or fund digital products.

d) Circumstances affecting digital content development will continue to change, probably dramatically in many ways. DCn will need to be creative and flexible.

Digital Canada numérique is committed to the following principles:

1. End user focus for digital content development;
2. Mutual benefit and value respecting unique strengths and responsibilities;
3. Cross-sectoral collaboration;
4. Cost-effective development of digital content;
5. Decentralized governance and delivery;
6. Open access to digital resources.

4. Objectives

To support a Canadian national digital strategy, Digital Canada numérique aims to:

1. Define and implement a strategy of collaboration based on cooperation and coordination;
2. Promote a consumer focus through strong relationships with Canadian digital content creators (such as documentary heritage stewards, publishers, technology groups and cultural agencies) and end-users across all sectors;
3. Disseminate digital standards and through education encourage best practices for sustainable access, preservation and interoperability;
4. Foster access to the national "collection" of Canadian digital content through the development of open source toolkits, metasearch tools and portal access;
5. Encourage fair dealing copyright protection that can respond effectively to change in information and communications technology;
6. Advocate as a unified voice for the development of Canadian digital content;
7. Raise awareness of Canadian digital library activities, both within and outside of Canada.

The CIDL Steering Committee welcomes comments on the proposed change of name and the draft vision until May 15, 2006. Contact CIDL

CIDL Metadata Survey draft report in 2006

The CIDL Metadata Working Group harvested the information from the Metadata Survey 2005 and prepared its draft report on current Canadian practices in metadata standards. The draft report was presented to the CIDL Steering Committee in April, 2006 for consideration.

CIDL initiates review of Inventory of Canadian Digital Initiatives

CIDL will continue to improve its Inventory of Canadian Digital Initiatives as a national registry by investigating the possibilities of enriching the reporting and information harvesting mechanisms. Dalhousie University Library and Library and Archives Canada have partnered to review the work.

CIDL 2006 Workplan

The CIDL Steering Committee met December 1 and 2, 2005 at the University of Calgary, and set the 2006 workplan. Through its workplan, CIDL will continue to represent its membership in advocating for a national digital strategy; and advance the development of its Digital Canada numérique initiative. CIDL Minutes, December 2005.

CIDL Steering Committee 2006-2007

On January 27, 2006 outgoing CIDL Chair Brian Bell welcomed the incoming Steering Committee (2006-2007): Bill Maes (Dalhousie University Library), Johanna Wellheiser (Toronto Public Library), Mary Westell (University of Calgary Library), Magdalene Albert (canadiana.org), Janet Catterall (University of Saskatchewan Library) and Gwen Ebbett (University of Windsor, Leddy Library). Susan Haigh, Senior Policy Officer, will represent Library and Archives Canada. Bell thanked the outgoing members: David McKnight (McGill University) and Chris Petter (University of Victoria) together with the Secretariat for their efforts and support during his tenure as Chair 2004-2005. CIDL Steering Committee