Minutes

Steering Committee

September 7, 2006
Teleconference
Hosted by Library and Archives Canada

Minutes

Present

Bill Maes (Chair), Dalhousie University Library
Magdalene Albert, canadiana.org
David Bindle, University of Saskatchewan Library
Gwen Ebbett, University of Windsor, Leddy Library
Susan Haigh, Library and Archives Canada
Johanna Wellheiser (Vice-chair), Toronto Public Library
Mary Westell, University of Calgary Library

Secretariat

Ralph Manning, Library and Archives Canada (Secretariat)
Michelle Landriault, Coordinator, CIDL

Welcome

1:30 p.m. Meeting called to order.

1. Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved. (G. Ebbett, M. Albert)

2. Approval of Minutes

The minutes of June 12, 2006 were approved. (G. Ebbett, M. Albert)

2.1 Business arising:

a) David Bindle, Metadata Librarian was welcomed as the Steering Committee representative for the University of Saskatchewan.

b) Susan Haigh provided an update on the Library and Archives Canada "Canadian Digital Information Strategy" (CDIS). The reports from the four CDIS thematic sessions held in 2006 are available on the LAC Website. The CDIS Summit is scheduled for December 5 and 6, 2006 at the Chateau Montebello, Montebello, Québec. The aim of the CDIS Summit is to explore and advance a national digital strategy. Participation will be limited to 100 +/-, with a wide range of stakeholders from, for example, libraries, archives, museums, publishers and users. Library and Archives Canada is to support the CDIS summit, and to provide a secretariat.

3. Secretariat Report

3.1 CIDL Membership:
M. Landriault reported that membership renewals are completed. CIDL has one new Associate Member: Statistics Canada, Communications & Library Services Division.

There was the cancellation of one Full member (University of New Brunswick Harriet Irving Library) and the cancellation of two Associate members: Winnipeg Public Library and Ottawa Public Library.

3.2 Finances:
The current balance of funds is sufficient for CIDL to pay disbursements and staff salary to fiscal year-end.

There will be no call for CIDL bursaries this year. Instead the monies supported travel for CIDL representative Brian Bell to attend the Alouette Canada Steering Committee meeting and for CIDL representative Chris Petter to attend the CDIS Thematic Session both held in Calgary, April 2006.

CIDL is giving its support to the Access Ottawa 2006 Conference by way of the CIDL Coordinator being available for volunteer services.

3.3 Web Forum
The CIDL Coordinator is reviewing alternative Web formats that enable discussion amongst digitization professionals.

Action: CIDL Coordinator

3.4 Inventory of Canadian Digital Initiatives
The CIDL coordinator made improvement suggestions to Library and Archives Canada Applications Management to streamline the Submission Form and improve the user-reporting mechanism.

Action: CIDL Coordinator

3.5 CIDL Newsletter #13
The next issue of CIDL News will include a summary report on the CIDL 2005 Metadata Survey.

3.6 Future of CIDL Secretariat
Discussion about secretariat support from Library and Archives Canada (office space and technical support).

4. CIDL / AlouetteCanada / LAC Relationships

4.1 CIDL held discussions with AlouetteCanada, June 19, 2006.
The following actions arose from the meeting with Alouette:

4.1.1 CIDL has an official seat on the AlouetteCanada Steering Committee: Johanna Wellheiser for CIDL.
4.1.2 CIDL has an official seat on the AlouetteCanada Technical Committee: Brian Bell (HALINET) for CIDL.

4.2 CIDL and LAC and Alouette Technical Committee

4.2.1 CIDL Funding
The Steering Committee discussed CIDL finances and work (training, surveys, bursaries, newsletter, working groups) with a focus on how best to serve CIDL members in the changing landscape of digitization in Canada. The discussion centred on future funding for CIDL in consideration of the majority of CIDL members who now have AlouetteCanada fees to pay.

Discussion also looked at where the work on Canadian digitization standards is currently centred in terms of the ongoing work of the Alouette Technical Committee.

4.2.2 Inventory of Canadian Digital Initiatives
Discussion of the Inventory, created as a joint contribution by LAC and CIDL to the digitization community, was held. On September 11, 2006 the AlouetteCanada Technical Committee will discuss how best to improve and make use of the Inventory as part of its initial plans for a portal and registry. Brian Bell and the CIDL Coordinator will provide the Alouette Technical Committee with a history of the Inventory, and a review of both its positive aspects and where improvements are required.

Action: CIDL Coordinator, Brian Bell

4.3 Digital Canada numérique

Chair Bill Maes stated that inclusivity of a wide range of memory organizations is the CIDL vision for Digital Canada numérique. He pointed out that the current CARL-only membership of AlouetteCanada needs to find a mechanism to both welcome CIDL members and incorporate the DCn vision into its fold.

CIDL will have further discussion with Alouette to evaluate what constructive formula allows CIDL interests to be served through Alouette. CIDL members want assurance of participation rights and continuity.

Action: Maes, Johanna Wellheiser

5. Other Business

There was no other business.

Next Meeting

The next Steering Committee meeting will be called by Chair B. Maes

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.