News Release

97-04

Canadian Library Collective to Promote Digital Resources

Ottawa, April 24, 1997  --  Representatives of 20 Canadian libraries have formed the Canadian Initiative on Digital Libraries to work together to improve Canadian access to digital resources. The decision was made at an invitational meeting hosted by the National Library of Canada in Ottawa on March 21-22.

Participants from public, university and other libraries (see list below) agreed on three priorities for digital library resources: creating a collective to address national issues related to Canadian libraries’ digital resources; adopting and promoting practices and standards that will ensure both short-term and long-term access to digital collections; and establishing effective communication for sharing information, expertise and experience.

The Canadian Initiative on Digital Libraries will promote the development of coordinated digital library resources and services within the Canadian library community and ensure liaison and collaboration with other sectors involved with the Information Highway.

The National Library will draft a statement of purpose for the collective, which will then be formed of libraries interested in contributing funds, expertise and advice for specific actions.

A report on the results of a library questionnaire on managing digital resources, as well as a report on the meeting of March 21-22, can be found at the National Library’s Web site (address: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/8/3/r3-202-e.html).

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Information:
Gwynneth Evans
Director General
National and International Programs
Telephone: 613-995-3904
Fax: 613-947-2916

Libraries Represented at National Meeting on March 21-22

• Bibliothèque nationale du Québec
  
• Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information
  
• Leamington Public Library
  
• Library, Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)
  
• McGill University Library
  
• McMaster University Library
  
• Metro Toronto Reference Library
  
• Mount Allison University Library
  
• National Library of Canada
  
• North York Public Library
  
• Nova Scotia Provincial Library
  
• Queen’s University Library
  
• Simon Fraser University Library
  
• Université Laval Library
  
• University of Alberta Library
  
• University of British Columbia Library
  
• University of New Brunswick Library
  
• University of Saskatchewan Library
  
• University of Toronto Library
  
• University of Waterloo Library