Evaluation and Acquisition Policy Framework
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1. Effective Date
This Policy Framework has been approved by the Management Board of Library and
Archives Canada (LAC) and takes effect on April 1, 2016.
2. Application
The Evaluation and Acquisition Policy Framework applies to activities across LAC
undertaken to evaluate and acquire governmental and ministerial records, publications,
and private archives, in both digital and analogue forms.
This policy framework supersedes the former Evaluation and Acquisition Policy Framework (2012), Policy on Evaluation (2012) and Policy on Acquisition (2012). The
Evaluation and Acquisition Checklist tool (2013) is also superseded.
The Evaluation and Acquisition Framework, and its related suite, are informed by, and
must be applied in a manner consistent with, other LAC policy frameworks and
instruments. Activities intended to facilitate access to and remove restrictions on LAC
holdings are governed by the LAC Access Policy Framework; activities aimed at
preservation after acquisition are governed by the LAC Stewardship Policy Framework.
3. Definitions
See Appendix A.
4. Context
As set out in the Library and Archives of Canada Act, LAC serves as a source of enduring
knowledge, contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada
as a free and democratic society, and serves as the continuing memory of the
government of Canada and its institutions.
LAC is part of both national and international library and archival communities, and part
of a broader community of memory and educational institutions. As a national library
and archives, LAC’s mandate is to acquire, preserve and provide access to Canada’s
documentary heritage. LAC’s mandate complements that of museums and research
institutions, which have various roles in preserving and interpreting Canada’s past.
LAC meets its mandate within existing legislation, regulations, and policies, including
the Library and Archives of Canada Act, the Cultural Property Export and Import Act,
the Federal Accountability Act, and other legislation and policies as outlined in Appendix B. Its legislated mandate includes: acquiring Canada’s documentary heritage; acting as
the permanent repository of the records of the federal government; and acquiring all
publications by and about Canadians.
This framework captures the guiding principles for evaluation and acquisition, and
reflects LAC’s unique mandate as a blended national library and archives.
5. Purpose
Under the Library and Archives of Canada Act, LAC is mandated to acquire Canada’s
documentary heritage. The purpose of this Policy Framework is to articulate LAC’s
principles for achieving this mandate.
This Policy Framework also defines the approach for LAC evaluation and acquisition
activities. It sets out how to ensure: that they reflect the LAC mandate; that LAC’s
policy direction and the principles underlying evaluation and acquisition activities are
clear; that roles and responsibilities within LAC are understood; and that, where
possible, all necessary metadata are captured at the point of acquisition.
6. Principles
In order to achieve its mandate, LAC conducts evaluation and acquisition activities in
alignment with the following principles.
6.1 National significance
As a national library and archives, LAC focuses on, identifies, and acquires documentary
heritage of national significance.
Documentary heritage of national significance is that which:
- Demonstrates the Canadian experience, federal or pan-Canadian
- Has influenced the development of Canada
- Has a broad national scope
- Has or has had an impact on national trends and events; and/or
- Illustrates Canadian impact and perspectives on international trends and events
6.2 Collaboration
As part of a larger library and archival community, LAC collaborates meaningfully with
other memory institutions, both nationally and internationally.
LAC recognizes that other cultural heritage institutions may also acquire material of
national significance based on their mandate and the needs of user communities.
LAC works with other memory institutions towards ensuring that the documentary
heritage of Canada is acquired by the most appropriate institution.
6.3 Representativeness
LAC aims to build a collection of documentary heritage holdings that is representative
of the complexity of Canadian society and the events that shape it, both at home and
abroad.
Decisions about evaluation and acquisition take place within a broader context. LAC
identifies and evaluates for acquisition the long-term impact of the documentary
heritage pertaining to individuals, communities, and organizations that are illustrative
of the development of Canadian society. LAC takes a comprehensive approach to
acquiring works published in and about Canada. LAC considers the need to document
the perspectives of minorities and marginalised groups and to reflect their experiences
and identities in its holdings. To this end, LAC acquires sufficient documentation, both
in breadth and depth, to reflect the full diversity of Canadian society.
6.4 Expertise-based
LAC’s acquisition decisions are based on expert evaluation in accordance with the
principles and standards of library and archival sciences. In acquiring documentary
heritage, LAC takes into consideration the needs of preservation and access.
6.5 Complementarity
Documentary heritage acquired by LAC consists of four types, as identified in the Library and Archives of Canada Act, each contributing to a complementary picture of Canadian
society over time.
- Publications preserve ideas and imaginings of, by and about Canada and
Canadians. LAC’s approach to acquiring publications is comprehensive, based on
consistent participation of Canadian publishers and strengthened by targeted
collection development.
- Private archives document the activities, ideas and interactions of persons, and
of non-profit and for-profit organizations. LAC acquires archival records that
define, influence, or aid understanding of Canadian society.
- Government archives document the actions and decisions of the federal
government. In acquiring them, LAC seeks to document the breadth and depth
of the government’s activities within Canadian society and abroad.
- Web resources document the information that individuals and organizations have
sought to communicate on line. LAC seeks to capture the concerns and issues of
importance to Canada and its peoples conveyed on the Internet.
LAC determines what will be acquired in light of the unique characteristics of each type
of documentary heritage.
7. Roles and responsibilities
The Librarian and Archivist of Canada is accountable overall for evaluation and
acquisition at LAC.
The Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for acquisition ensures the implementation of
the Evaluation and Acquisition Policy Framework, including that evaluation and
acquisition activities undertaken are aligned with the Framework.
The directors general responsible for evaluation and acquisition approve operational
policy instruments and tools, and implement the Policy Framework and associated policy
instruments.
Directors, managers and staff conduct evaluation and acquisition activities and
processes within the parameters set out in the Evaluation and Acquisition Policy Framework and related policy instruments; provide advice on evaluation and acquisition
as required; and document their recommendations and decisions.
8. Planning, monitoring and review
The Strategic Policy and Advice Division will review this policy framework, including
related policy instruments, five years following its coming into effect, or as required.
9. Corrective measures
Non-compliance with the Evaluation and Acquisition Policy Framework may entail
corrective measures by the Librarian and Archivist of Canada, Management Board, or
the Chief Operating Officer.
10. Enquiries
Please address any questions about this Policy Framework to:
Director, Strategic Policy and Advice
Library and Archives Canada
550 Boulevard de la Cité
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0N4
bac.politiques-policy.lac@canada.ca
Appendix A: Definitions
Acquisition [Acquisition]
Acquisition is the process of acquiring documentary heritage of historical or archival
value. Acquisition takes place when a decision is made to take control of documentary
heritage for the purpose of preserving it for use by future generations.
Authenticity [Authenticité]
Authenticity is the quality of being genuine, not a counterfeit, and free from tampering,
and is typically inferred from internal and external evidence.
Documentary Heritage [Patrimoine documentaire]
Documentary heritage comprises publications and records of interest to Canada.
Evaluation [Évaluation]
Evaluation is the assessment of publications and records for their capacity to document
the development of Canadian society.
Historical or Archival Value [Valeur historique ou archivistique]
Historical or archival value is the quality of having continuing usefulness or significance
to Canadian society.
Holdings [Collection]
Holdings comprise documentary heritage brought under the control of LAC through the
Library and Archives of Canada Act and Legal Deposit of Publications Regulations, and
any master copies generated thereof.
National Significance [Importance nationale]
Documentary heritage of national significance is that which:
- demonstrates the Canadian experience, federal or pan-Canadian
- has influenced the development of Canada
- has a broad national scope
- has or has had an impact on national trends and events; and/or
- illustrates Canadian impact and perspectives on international trends and events
Preservation [Préservation]
Preservation comprises all actions taken to retard deterioration of or prevent damage
to holdings; and to ensure that access to, usability of, and authenticity of holdings are
maintained over time.
Appendix B: Related Documents