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Section II - Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

Analysis by Program Activity

Effective with the 2006-2007 fiscal year, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) began to focus planning and reporting to Parliament and the central agencies of the Government of Canada through the achievement of a single strategic outcome.

Within that strategic outcome we identified four program activities that encompass the range of activities under the mandate that Parliament set out through the Library and Archives of Canada Act. The three program activities that involve services to Canadians and to Government of Canada organizations are described on the following pages. Each program activity discussion centres on the major initiatives linked to progress on the five strategic choices. The fourth program activity, Internal Services, is described in Section IV of this Report.

Program Activity 1.1 - Managing the disposition of the Government of Canada records of continuing value

Financial Resources

2008-09	2009-10	2010-11
$11,954.0	$13,302.0	$13,626.0

Human Resources

2008-09	2009-10	2010-11
173 FTE	173 FTE	173 FTE

Description of Program Activity: Through the issuance of Records Disposition Authorities, the development of record-keeping advice, tools and guidance, and the provision of Regional Service Centre services for departments of the Government of Canada, LAC enables and facilitates the management of information within federal agencies and ensures that government's archival and historical records are identified and appropriately preserved.

Key Commitment in Support of Strategic Choices

This program activity corresponds particularly to Strategic Choice 3, which seeks to reinforce the role that LAC plays in government of Canada information management by focusing on supporting improved recordkeeping across the government. It responds to the current reality that federal agencies generate massive amounts of business records but face serious challenges in managing those records that have ongoing business value. Those challenges mean that, for example, too much information of no ongoing value is being stored at significant financial cost and it can be difficult to find particular records promptly when they are needed, as is the case for Access to Information requests.

Accordingly, improvements in government recordkeeping are recognized as a priority in enhancing accountability throughout the government of Canada. In 2006, we initiated a process with the Privy Council Office to hold Deputy Minister (DM) Roundtable sessions on government recordkeeping and information management. The Roundtables were co-chaired by the Librarian and Archivist of Canada and the government's Chief Information Officer. Deputy Ministers agreed that the government of Canada needed to address recordkeeping issues "head on" and asked LAC, in collaboration with departments and agencies to lead the development of a program of change that would support government executives in their efforts to enable an effective national public administration partly by returning recordkeeping to the status of a core public service value.

A subsequent ADM Taskforce on Recordkeeping has led to recommendations on the design of the overall recordkeeping program of change. The intent is to clarify and implement a new recordkeeping regulatory regime in the government of Canada that would address issues such as risk, capacity, legacy records and electronic records. This new regime would have significant impacts on all federal departments and agencies and on LAC.

LAC has identified four areas of major attention in 2008-2009 and beyond that will contribute to moving this new regime forward.

Continue to Develop the Ongoing Government Records Program and Record Disposition Agreements with Federal Institutions

LAC has an ongoing responsibility to work with clients and partners across government on archival and recordkeeping issues. This will continue to take place to address immediate situations, such as negotiations for the Records Disposition Authorities with federal departments and agencies that govern the transfer of records of historical or archival value to LAC. The pace of those negotiations is normally driven by partner department and agency considerations beyond the control of LAC.

Our major priority in support of the LAC Strategic Choices is to obtain the support of partner departments and agencies for the new and innovative recordkeeping solutions that we are developing and expect to implement under the regulatory regime that is taking shape. In particular, we intend to implement a recordkeeping standard and a delegation authority tool that will reflect the new regime. To gain the support of federal institutions for the substantial changes necessary to more effectively manage records, we will pursue a communication strategy. This direction will also be supported by progress on the other commitments made under this program activity.

Performance Measures:

Short term

• Number of Records Disposition Authorities finalized
• Progress in implementation of new recordkeeping regime (including standards and delegations of authority)

Long term

• Number of departments and agencies implementing the new recordkeeping regime
• Time required to issue a Records Disposition Authority
• Percentage of departments satisfied with LAC key recordkeeping regime products and activities

Assessment Projects to Improve Government Recordkeeping

Because of the scale of change expected under the new recordkeeping regime, a series of assessment projects have been developed to test the assumptions, or otherwise prove the concepts, underlying proposed recordkeeping improvements. The projects test ways to streamline processes, identify efficiencies, reduce records-related risks across government in relation to issues such as litigation and security, and address cost recordkeeping cost pressures.

Recordkeeping situations differ widely across the government and the projected new recordkeeping regime will need to reflect that reality. Therefore, projects that initially prove successful will often be expanded to a broader range of departments and agencies until we can identify transferable results applicable across the government. The projects also will give us a clear sense of the funding needed to implement the new recordkeeping regime as well as implementation issues to be addressed.

Performance Measures:

Short term

• Assessment project results and the findings analyzed, with lessons learned and best practices identified
• Development of a plan for full implementation of the new recordkeeping regime, drawing on assessment project results

Long term

• Percentage of institutions using LAC tools under a new recordkeeping regime

Implement the New Storage Model (NSM) for Government Records

In 2005-2006, we began our New Storage Model project. We expect to have this Model and its supporting action plan finalized with implementation beginning in 2008-2009. It should provide for secure, accessible and cost-effective storage in appropriate environmental conditions for government of Canada records of business value in all media. The focus on storing only records of business value will enable us to meet our commitment to generate savings across the government through more effective and efficient records storage.

Performance Measures:

Short term

• Implementation of the NSM action plan will be taking place

Long term

• The action plan will be fully implemented by 2012

Move Forward on the Accessibility Initiative

Library and Archives Canada has a large volume of records received over time from federal departments and agencies. Many of these records realistically have no business value that would merit retention. Identifying records with no business value that can be destroyed would reduce storage and administrative costs for records currently held and would enable departments to better identify records to be kept or destroyed under the Records Disposition Authorities described earlier in this section, so those are never held by LAC.

An Accessibility Working Group analyzed issues related to ensuring access to government records. It proposed a three-year action plan to produce better descriptive information on government records, support records digitization, reduce review requirements in relation to Access to Information and Privacy situations and reduce LAC's storage, circulation, and preservation requirements.

A key step forward will be our "Clearing the Path" initiative that will use a targeted approach to identify and then eliminate non-archival records, and in the process provide clearer information on the remaining records of archival value. It will focus on the eight government institutions responsible for 66 percent of records transfers to LAC.

Over time, we expect our accessibility action plan will lead LAC and federal institutions to improved mechanisms for acquiring and describing archival records in all media to make them more accessible to Canadians. We expect to measure success by more efficient workflows, improved intellectual control and enhanced services to clients in the government of Canada and the Canadian public.

Performance Measures:

Short term

• Continue the "Clearing the Path" initiative, which will result in reduced storage demands for LAC and guidance for the development of new Records Disposition Authorities, applications guides and future advice to the government of Canada.
• Begin the accessibility action plan implementation

Long term

• Departments and agencies will know what records are likely to be of archival value and will only send those to LAC
• Existing LAC holdings will be confined to records of business value
• Archival records transferred to LAC will be more accessible in accordance with established service standards

Program Activity 1.2 - Managing the documentary heritage of interest to Canada

Financial Resources

2008-09	2009-10	2010-11
$95,554.0	$68,600.0	$59,917.0

Human Resources

2008-09	2009-10	2010-11
628 FTE	628 FTE	628 FTE

Description of Program Activity: The building of a national documentary resource for all aspects of the study of Canada is fundamental to the mandate of Library and Archives Canada. The Library and Archives Canada collection consists of published and unpublished materials in a variety of formats acquired through Legal Deposit, agreements with government institutions and selected private materials purchased or received by donation. To access the contents of collections, they must be described. Description can take many forms and provide various layers of access but is governed by nationally and internationally accepted codes of practice. At the same time, holdings are also described to meet Canadians' expectations for timely and equitable access. Once materials enter the LAC collection they are managed to ensure their long-term preservation and accessibility through policies, procedures and various programs including storage, conservation, restoration and copying. To fulfill its role as a permanent repository of government records and publications, Library and Archives Canada enters into agreements with government institutions to ensure that documents of historical and archival value are eventually transferred to LAC. LAC also provides advice to assist government institutions in fulfilling their obligations under Sections 12 and 13 of the Library and Archives of Canada Act.

Key Commitment in Support of Strategic Choices

This program activity is now being particularly influenced by the commitments inherent in Strategic Choice 1, which seeks to ensure that LAC becomes a knowledge institution that benefits from the digital information environment. It is also influenced by the need to build and care for a collection that we want to be relevant to all Canadians in a country of great diversity. In recent years, LAC has begun to identify proactive approaches to how it wants to build its collection and its priorities in caring for that collection.

In practice, this has meant creating strategic frameworks such as Collection Development Framework that is guiding choices in what kinds of acquisitions to make. It is also being supported by the Metadata Framework for Resource Discovery which sets out key principles by which publications and records are described for access and use by Canadians.

LAC has identified two areas of major attention in 2008-2009 and beyond, which are to develop strategies for preserving documentary heritage and in collecting documentary heritage in digital format. Both will contribute to managing our collection in line with the opportunities and benefits of the digital information environment and more broadly ensure a relevant and accessible collection to Canadians and people around the world interested in Canada's documentary heritage. They will both draw on our expanding partnerships with other organizations that share our commitment to preserve Canada's documentary heritage.

Developing strategies for preserving documentary heritage

With underlying frameworks in place to guide LAC choices and actions, we have moved on to identify specific areas in which we need to better define our business needs and reinforce how we manage our collection. In a number of cases, we have begun or plan to begin pilot projects to test approaches that we believe will increase our capacity to manage all aspects of archival records in an increasingly digital environment.

Performance Measures:

The short-term performance measures are noted under each element below. They are expected to combine and complement each other to achieve the following long-term performance measures.

Long term

• LAC and its partners consistently and effectively collect, manage and care for Canada's digital documentary heritage.
• LAC develops its collection in an integrated manner and according to overall institutional priorities, including reflecting the Canadian experience.
• Modernized approaches to resource description and discovery, including national resource description standards, will be in use by LAC and in use widely among Canadian knowledge institutions
• Canadians will have better access to more of Canada's documentary heritage resources through new or improved national resource discovery database networks and research tools.
• Parts of the collection known to be most at risk, particularly due to the technology formats in which they exist, are addressed as priorities for preservation.
• A strategic, large-scale digitization program in LAC and elsewhere enables expanded access to Canada's documentary heritage, regardless of its original format and uses consistent resource description approaches for our holdings.

Develop a Canadian Digital Information Strategy

Library and Archives Canada has been leading a process to create a pan-Canadian strategy to build Canada's capacity to produce high-quality digital information resources, to digitize key parts of its documentary heritage that are not in digital forms now (e.g., printed material and materials in formats such as audio and video) and to preserve for future use information produced in digital form.

We have been working closely with partners such as libraries, archives, museums, data centres, publishers, producers, distributors, rights organizations and academia because all partners will have complementary roles in a national strategy for digital information production, preservation and access based on a collaborative, decentralized approach.

Performance Measures:

Short term

• A strategy for digitization and preservation of Canadian documentary heritage is in place
• Partnerships are in place

Web Archiving Strategy

Library and Archives Canada has reallocated internal resources to support the archiving of federal and provincial government websites and those of elections authorities. The process for each harvest of the Government of Canada Web domain takes five months and, on average, gathers the equivalent of the information that would fill 2,000 sets of encyclopaedias.

In 2008-2009, we will implement a Web Archiving Strategy to guide our expansion of this harvesting to other domains, which will guide a new Web Archiving Program that will begin in 2009-2010. That strategy will set out the parameters we will use to decide which websites to archive, supported by clear selection and preservation guidelines. It will include approaches to address access and copyright issues related to content not under the public domain.

Performance Measures:

Short term:

• A collection strategy for websites exists including all necessary operational guidelines
• Processes to address access and copyright issues are in place
• Targets are set for the number and types of websites to be harvested

Develop and Implement a Resource Discovery Strategy

In addition to acquiring and preserving the documentary heritage of Canada, LAC is responsible for organizing and making that heritage known and facilitating access to it. Resource discovery refers to the set of processes and tools by which LAC's clients identify, find, retrieve and use our collection. The LAC Metadata Framework for Resource Discovery provides a policy framework for the creation and management of metadata supporting resource discovery. In 2008-2009, we will develop a Resource Discovery Strategy to align and focus our resource description and related activities, which will then be tested through pilot projects, which will include:

• Integrated subject indexing of unpublished and published material;
• Linking LAC database records to external websites or pages;
• Acquiring metadata describing LAC holdings from clients and stakeholders; and
• Semantic analysis of Web resources.

We also intend to review our national database networks program and begin to make necessary improvements to components such as the National Union Catalogue and Archives Canada, which will take place over a three to five year implementation timeframe.

LAC will continue to provide leadership, expertise and coordination in the development of national and international resource description standards that are critical to resource discovery, including RDA: Resource Description and Access and the Rules for Archival Description.

Performance Measures:

Short term:

• Development of a Resource Discovery Strategy during 2008-2009.
• Development of a plan for LAC's national database networks program.

LAC Collection Content Strategy

To preserve the documentary heritage of Canada, LAC must define that heritage and its role in the context of a national network of allied institutions and articulate strategies for safeguarding Canada's documentary heritage. Defining our Collection Content Strategy is a key element in this direction. The strategy, which will be developed throughout 2008-2009, will be a policy document informing decisions on what LAC collects and why-as well as on why it does not collect other materials. The strategy will enhance program effectiveness by developing our capability to identify gaps and overlaps in collecting objectives and practices at LAC.

Performance Measures:

Short term:

• By April 2008, sectors within LAC will have defined their acquisition priorities up to 2010.

Audio Visual Preservation

The LAC collection includes hundreds of thousands of hours of audio, video and film. Many items are in formats for which equipment is no longer manufactured and parts are scarce. These items need to be copied to a new preservation format to ensure accessibility. As LAC provides timely and responsive services to meet client expectations, copies are generated for the parts of the collection that are most in demand, but not necessarily the items most at risk. Accordingly, we intend to develop a migration plan and pilot technology that would allow us to make electronic file formats our preservation copy. This strategy will prioritize the migration of various formats, taking into account obsolescence, physical or chemical instability, historical value, and available equipment and expertise.

Performance Measures:

Short term:

• By March 31, 2009, LAC will have a migration strategy for audio-visual and other technology-dependent materials in our collection with priorities set.

Collecting Documentary Heritage in Digital Form

LAC has traditionally been able to collect documentary heritage in a wide range of non-digital forms such as print, audio, film, photographs, art and other media. In a world where so much information is now "born digital," we know that we must be equally adept in collecting Canada's digital documentary heritage. Beyond the overall strategic approaches that we described under the previous major commitment, we will move forward on series of initiatives that involve introducing the tools that will enable us to build our digital collection.

Performance Measures:

The short-term performance measures are noted under each element below. They are expected to combine and complement each other to achieve the following long-term performance measures.

Long term

• A network of Trusted Digital Repositories, supported by standards, policies, tools and infrastructure, exist in Canada to collect, manage and care for Canada's digital documentary heritage securely and effectively.
• LAC will be able to process digital acquisitions with the support of automated tools such as the Virtual Loading Dock, enabling much more rapid and efficient transfer by publishers and donors as well as more rapid and efficient LAC processing once acquisitions are in the collection.
• LAC will have a comprehensive management information system with which to track all aspects of the management of the collection and support automated public access to services.
• LAC is digitizing a continually rising proportion of its collection both to improve public access to the collection and to address issues related to access to fragile materials and materials in formats that require the support of obsolete technologies.

Continue the Development and Implementation of the Trusted Digital Repository Project

LAC has a legislated obligation to acquire and preserve more of Canada's rapidly growing volume of digital documentary heritage. We intend to act on this obligation through the development of Trusted Digital Repository (TDR) services. A TDR provides a framework, systems and tools to manage reliable, long-term access to digital resources. It is organized to address typical challenges such as the volatile nature of digital objects and the change in the information technologies used to create and access them. Our leadership in supporting the creation of a network of TDRs in Canada and ensuring that they all meet consistent standards, will enable libraries, archives, museums and public institutions across Canada to receive and manage these digital assets, making them easily accessible to all users.

During 2008-2009, LAC will continue to develop the standards, policies, guidelines and supports that will bring the TDR concept into being in Canada. We will also move forward with the first TDR module, the "Virtual Loading Dock" (VLD), which will enable publishers, creators, government departments and donors to transfer to LAC their electronic publications, records and other digital assets. It will be supported by a preservation policy and technical infrastructure as well as the supports needed to ensure that people can find and use those digital resources.

The VLD will be particularly important in moving forward efficiently on the Library and Archives of Canada Act requirement that publishers deposit their electronic publications with LAC. It will provide an automated vehicle through which publishers can comply with that requirement more efficiently for themselves and LAC, regardless of medium or file format and using numerous transfer mechanisms.

Performance Measures:

Short term

• Annual acquisitions of electronic publications that are expected to triple from 3,000 to 9,000
• A Digital Repository Services and Standards Office will be in place in May 2008
• A digital preservation policy and guidelines will be in place by September 2008
• A digital toolkit framework (standards and protocols which are key to digital preservation activities) will be established by August 2008
• A TDR architectural roadmap will address content and functionality issues by May 2008
• More depositors, government departments and donors will work with us, including through the legal deposit of digital documents

Continue the Development and Implementation of AMICAN

AMICAN is an information management system that will, among other things, provide a single point of access to the LAC collection for Canadians, and go well beyond the old systems that were used by our two predecessor organizations. As such, it is equally relevant to this program activity and to program activity 1.3, "Making the documentary heritage known and accessible for use."

We are building AMICAN over a three-year period that began in 2007-2008 to 2009-2010. We have already achieved some milestones such as a Federated Search function that includes a specific Ancestors Search capability for genealogy clients and the initial implementation of an Information Holdings Management System (IHMS) at our Ottawa Regional Service Centre.

We plan the following work in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010:

• Develop and implement new elements for a circulation and physical control system for published material, a preservation module for archival material, and preservation module for published material.
• Continued implementation of IHMS in other Regional Service Centres and development of modules for circulation and client interface.
• Develop and implement online services such as client registration for a user card and online ordering of material for consultation.
• Further development of Federated Search to include additional databases and updating of product used.
• Continued implementation of a system to manage client data in LAC.
• Develop and implement an integrated library system (ILS) to replace the current acquisition, cataloguing and serials control of published material, using a build/buy solution.

Performance Measures:

Short term

• Implementation of the AMICAN module indicated above.

Mass Digitization

In recent years, LAC has relied heavily on external partners and funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage to digitize items from our collection and to create web products. We have decided to begin an internal mass digitization program to go much further in this direction with a focus on increased access, supported by internal reallocations of short-term resources.

Performance Measures:

Short term

• Strategic digitization plan is implemented with a goal of digitizing one million images in 2008-09.

Continue efforts to develop capacity in digital archival records

LAC's commitment to adapt to the needs and benefit from the opportunities of the digital information environment calls for a comprehensive program to support acquisition, preservation and access to digital documentary heritage. Work has begun on developing a digital records program to support LAC acquisition of private sector digital records and deal with the backlog of unprocessed acquisitions, out-of-date procedures and other challenges.

Performance Measures:

Short term

• The current backlog of digital records that LAC has acquired but not processed will be reduced steadily
• Digital records management advice will be developed for use with potential donors

Program Activity 1.3 - Making the documentary heritage known and accessible for use

Financial Resources

2008-09	2009-10	2010-11
$68,163.0	$32,867.0	$31,008.0

Human Resources

2008-09	2009-10	2010-11
342 FTE	342 FTE	342 FTE

Description of Program Activity: All materials that become part of the LAC collection are intended for use by those interested in Canada. LAC provides information and services including consultation, research and lending, across multiple channels to facilitate access to the documentary heritage to a wide variety of clients. It also establishes programs, such as the Portrait Gallery of Canada, and encourages or organizes programs such as exhibitions, publications and performances, to make known and interpret our documentary heritage. LAC also provides information resources and standards such as the national catalogue and supports the infrastructure necessary to ensure its accessibility to those interested in Canada.

Key Commitment in Support of Strategic Choices

The initiatives under this program activity are critical to progress on Strategic Choice 1, because digitally supported processes and tools are essential to delivering services now. The use of digital means for reaching out to Canadians is a key aspect in making progress toward Strategic Choice 2, as our organization makes the collection and our expertise more accessible to Canadians outside the National Capital Region. As well, we will be using collaborative arrangements with others to deliver on our mandate, in keeping with Strategic Choice 4. In all our work under this program activity, we will draw on the available information to meet our commitment under Strategic Choice 5 that we built citizen/client research and evaluation results into our decision making so that our programs and services are in line with the interests and preferences of Canadians.

These initiatives will build on our ongoing activities. Many are in support of cultural programs in the National Capital Region that make extensive use of LAC public facilities, such as the Ottawa Writers Festival; the Ottawa International Jazz Festival; the Storytellers Festival and events related to Ottawa celebrations of Black History and Asian Heritage Month.

Our exhibition program is also important and involves many partnerships such as:

• Exhibitions on Treaty of Paris: with the United States National Archives and Records Administration in Washington; and
• Gabrielle Roy, in partnership with Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy de Québec.

Supporting Client Access to Our Collection

As Strategic Choice 2 indicates, LAC is determined to provide access to Canada's documentary heritage to all Canadians, regardless of where they live. To do so, we are seeking the right balance of our service delivery mechanisms to meet the needs and expectations of an increasingly diverse range of users. This means providing services on-site at LAC facilities in the National Capital Region as well as using online tools to link Canadians elsewhere to our collection. There will be a number of key initiatives in this area of activity during 2008-2009 and beyond.

As the organization that holds government of Canada records of archival value, we respond to a large number of requests for government information under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act annually. That workload will grow with the changes under the new Federal Accountability Act that subject more federal institutions to Access to Information Act and/or the Privacy Act requirements. In response, we will continue to implement changes to our management and delivery of services related to access to information and privacy, drawing on the recommendations of an Access to Government Advisory Group on Internet Services. The changes to date have earned us an "A" grade in the Access Commissioner's review/reports and we intend to maintain that status.

Performance Measures:

Short term

• Implement new software to support our management and services related to Access to Information and Privacy.
• Provide time and effective responses to requests for government information.
• Manage the expected increased demand on LAC services resulting from Federal Accountability Act changes.

Long term

• Ongoing responsiveness to requests for information under the relevant acts that is of a standard to merit an "A" grade.

LAC Services Advisory Board

LAC services are consistent with our Strategic Choice 5 commitment to build citizen/client research and evaluation into our decision making, we instituted a LAC Services Advisory Board with members who represent national user groups and stakeholders across Canada. This Board has been created in response to client feedback and concerns over changes that we have made to services, such as to our hours of service, as part of our need to reallocate resources to meet rising priorities. Its role is to consider issues directly related to the services aspect of LAC's mandate and we expect it to help develop a constructive relationship with key client groups and stakeholders.

We also intend to pursue regular public consultations. Feedback will be collected in person, through the Internet, by mail and on the phone. All Canadians, wherever they are located and whatever their interest in the LAC collection, will have an opportunity to provide their views on how LAC can best deliver the services portion of its mandate. A consultative website will be created and contain information on the Services Advisory Board's efforts and progress, as well as news and notices about proposed service changes, potential new services, current service improvement implementation and other matters of interest to users.

Performance Measures:

Short term

• Development of tools to gauge the extent to which LAC services are designed around the needs, expectations and abilities of citizens/clients and respond to citizen/client feedback.

Long term

• Accurate information with which to inform LAC service choices.

Interpretive Programs

We are currently developing a Strategic Program Plan to guide programming over the next three to five years. While we will continue to deliver or support programs at our locations in the National Capital Region, we will also use our increasing Web presence to bring LAC programming to Canadians no matter where they are, and often by providing tools and access to LAC resources that partners can easily use. This Plan is consistent with Strategic Choices 1, 2 and 4 in terms of its use of digital technologies, outreach to Canadians across the country and the use of collaborative arrangements.

Performance Measures:

Short term

• 2008/09-2010/11 Strategic Program Plan

Long term

• Canadians are more knowledgeable about their heritage.

LAC's Genealogy Strategy

LAC's Genealogy Strategy seeks to increase awareness of, and access to, Canadian documentary heritage by harnessing Canadians' growing interest in family history. In 2008-2009, LAC will improve access to its collections of genealogical interest by using partnerships with the private, public and non-governmental sectors for digitization, nominal indexing, and promotion. It will also begin to develop new genealogy-based programming.

The outcome will be a greater awareness and use of LAC's collections, as evidenced by a 10 percent increase in page views on the Canadian Genealogy Centre (CGC) website by the end of 2008-09, and a 40 percent increase by 2012.

Risks factors include the availability of human and financial resources to manage the partnerships and expand the CGC website.

Performance Measure:

Short term

In 2008-2009, LAC will improve access to its collections of genealogical interest by using partnerships with the private, public and non-governmental sectors for digitization, nominal indexing, and promotion. It will also begin to develop new genealogy-based programming, in partnership with the voluntary sector.

Long term

Greater awareness and use of LAC's collections, through the website and other channels.

Initiative for Equitable Library Access (IELA)

In October 2007, the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced that LAC would receive $3 million over three years to implement nationwide partnerships, activities and services to meet the long-term library and information access needs of Canadians with print disabilities. During 2008-2009, the Initiative for Equitable Library Access (IELA) will undertake the coordination of initial activities such as forging partnerships, improving channels for disseminating information, developing library service standards, strengthening linkages between publishers and producers of materials in multiple formats. We will begin the design of a nationwide strategy, as well as raising general and public awareness of the need to provide equitable library access to Canadians with print disabilities.

Performance Measures:

Short term

Effective partnerships and working agreements exist.

• The Council on Access to Information for Print Disabled Canadians is reinvigorated.
• Public and general awareness of the need to provide equitable library access is heightened.
• Canadians with print disabilities are assured that the government is committed to taking effective action to ensure that they can benefit from equitable library access.

Long term

• A nationwide strategy with accurate, scalable costs has been developed and endorsed by key stakeholders.
• Library service standards have been established and adopted and implementation has begun in libraries.
• An Internet Portal has been developed and launched to facilitate access to and distribution of materials in multiple formats.
• An electronic clearinghouse has been developed that is valued by participants.
• The average length of time from material request to multiple format production has decreased.

A New Partnership between Library and Archives Canada and Federal Libraries

The Library and Archives of Canada Act mandates LAC to coordinate the services of federal libraries. It does so through the Federal Library Coordination Secretariat (FLCS). To foster excellence in federal library services that generate concrete, effective results for the government of Canada, LAC and the federal library community are working together to change our approach and focus on a renewed secretariat, improved procurement processes and the development of an electronic library for the government of Canada.

Performance Measures:

Short term

• A renewed secretariat in LAC for federal libraries coordination is developed to ensure a collaborative approach to issues of concern for federal libraries in 2008-2009.
• Put in place a working group (co-chaired with PWGSC) on the development of a standard approach to purchasing electronic resource material for government of Canada decision makers.

Long term

• A federal E-Library vision and concept is developed for use by government of Canada libraries in 2009-2010.

Continue Implementation of the National Archival Development Program

The National Archival Development Program (NADP) is the sole LAC contribution program. It provides financial assistance to Canadian archives and related organizations to increase their capacity to preserve and make accessible unique archival materials about Canada and Canadians. In line with our commitment to Treasury Board when the terms and conditions of NADP were revised and renewed, we worked in collaboration with the Canadian Council of Archives (CCA) to develop a performance measurement plan that will document the impact of the Program.

During 2008-2009, we will work with the CCA to continue to improve various aspects of the program, from delivery to adjudication and reporting. Priorities for action will be identified through a formative evaluation of the program. Data from the multiple indicators of the Performance Measurement Plan will allow evaluation and adjustments of efforts and strategies to better meet the needs of the archival community and the mandate and priorities of LAC.

Performance Measures:

Short term

• Baseline measures data collected and analyzed for all indicators of the Performance Measurement Plan.

Long term

• Increase access to Canada's archival holdings through a national catalogue.
• Increase awareness and broaden use of Canada's documentary heritage.
• Increase, in Canada's documentary heritage, the representation of Aboriginal peoples and under-represented ethno-cultural groups.
• Increase capacity of archival networks to undertake strategic and developmental activities.
• Increase capacity of archival institutions to preserve Canada's documentary heritage.

Portrait Gallery of Canada

The Portrait Gallery of Canada (PGC) continues to develop and implement its public programming and educational material for Canadians. Acquiring and commissioning portraiture that is reflective of Canada's increasingly diverse fabric and ensuring its accessibility to the public is of key significance to the PGC.

In 2008-2009 the PGC expects to move forward in finding a permanent location through the Request for Proposal process which has been issued by Public Works and Government Services Canada. One city in Canada will be chosen to house the exhibition and public programming components of the Portrait Gallery's mandate.

In 2008-2009, the PGC will develop its Web capacity to enhance existing content, and implement new content and interactivity. In addition, it will develop a portrait link with the Web presence of the Dictionary of Canadian Biography.

The PGC will also continue its touring exhibitions program by launching two exhibitions in Canada (Four Indian Kings with Contemporary Voices and Portraits in the Street-Quebec City). Related outreach programs will also be developed (e.g. education, Web content and publication). A multi-year travelling exhibition schedule and associated outreach elements (e.g. Karsh Festival for 2008-2010) will also be developed. To deliver on these commitments, the Portrait Gallery will seek partnerships for future exhibitions, public programming and for the planned programming in the projected new building.

Performance Measures:

Short term

• Focus testing of public expectations and of potential online exhibitions of the PGC is initiated.
• Integrated evaluation and performance measurements of PGC public offerings (e.g. exhibitions, website, education programming, vault tours).

Long term

• Number of programs, exhibitions, events, digital collections, and Web products developed and launched.
• Number of visits on-site and on the website.
• Number of requests for organized tours for students and number of students involved.

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