I think we also need to make very clear in our media communications that Library and Archives Canada cuts and NADP elimination are two entirely separate issues. Yes, both are related to the decimation of archives, but they are nonetheless distinct concerns.
I’ve seen several articles which betray a lack of understanding of this distinction. As a result, eliminating the NADP is not being addressed by government ministers, rather it has been deflected by ridiculous assertions that LAC is doing its job by providing electronic access to archival materials. Do any of these politicians have any idea how much money would be required to provide electronic access to everything in LAC??? No, of course not.
Furthermore, NADP—through its funding for arrangement & description, preservation, and outreach projects—was responsible to some degree for precisely the sort of access that the government is now saying needs to happen in a more concerted manner.
Outraged Archivist
Note: We as archivists are frustrated about both of these issues, but this is an important distinction that needs to be remembered. Thanks very much to Outraged Archivist for making these points and for allowing them to be shared here.
