Progress Report Q4 (January to March 2018)

Refer to the 2016-2019 Three-Year Plan for a full explanation of LAC's commitments.

Table of contents

Related

Year 1: 2016-2017

Year 2: 2017-2018

Commitment 1: Fully dedicated to serving all its clients

Digitize 40 million images in three years, including the 640,000 files of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) that will be available online

  • Proportion of the digitization target :
    • 49% Total digitized to date
    • 51% Remaining
  • Total digitized images per fiscal year :
    • 2016-2017: 9.1 million
    • 2017-2018: 10.2 million
  • Proportion of CEF files available online :
    • 87% Online
    • 13% Remaining

The 640,000 files of the CEF will be available on the LAC website by November 11, 2018.

Reach 10 million downloads annually from the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) website

  • 2016-2017: 10.2 million
  • 2017-2018: 10.1 million

Make 1 million pages of government records available each year through the block review process

  • 2016-2017: 8.03 million
  • 2017-2018: 10.3 million

In 2017–2018, 10.3 million pages were made available. The fourth quarter was very productive, with more than 9.5 million pages opened after a proactive review of LAC archival fonds. For example, LAC opened approximately 4.5 million pages of patents. This was the largest group of documents that LAC had ever opened through block review.

Assess and process 10 additional kilometres of archives so that they are discoverable by users [three-year target]

  • 2016-2017: 3.14 kilometres
  • 2017-2018: 3.21 kilometres

In 2017–2018, an additional 3.21 km of archives were assessed and processed. LAC attained 97% of its annual cumulative target after processing 6.35 km of archives.

In addition, an accumulated total of 13,960 specialized media items (e.g. audiovisual recordings, medals and stamps) were processed.

Ensure that LAC's website continues to be one of the top 10 most-visited federal government sites

Our position : 16th position.

In the fourth quarter, LAC went from 13th to 16th position among federal government websites.

Optimize our tools so that 95% of traffic to our website results from a referral by a major search engine such as Google or from social media platforms

Proportion of referral by source of visit:

  • Search engines & social media: 85%
  • Other sites: 15%

Throughout 2017–2018, 85% of visits to the LAC website were the result of a referral from a major search engine such as Google or from social media platforms.

Implement a new integrated library management system for published documents

Table 1
Step leading to implementation of a new integrated library system (OCLC) Deadline Progress to date
LAC sends records of library holdings to OCLC Q2 [Completed] N/A
OCLC incorporates records of library holdings from the Union Catalogue into the OCLC system Q3 [Completed] N/A
LAC launches the new National Union Catalogue, Voilà Q4 [Completed] The new National Union Catalogue was launched on February 1, 2018.
Libraries contributing to the Union Catalogue contact OCLC to subscribe to its cataloguing service or apply to LAC to obtain funding for services Q4 [Completed] All funding applications from small libraries to sign up for OCLC services were processed. Henceforth, all libraries signed up for the OCLC cataloguing services and contributing to the Union Catalogue will send their records information to OCLC.
LAC introduces additional modules of the OCLC integrated library system Q1 2018-2019 In June, LAC will begin implementing the OCLC modules that will be used to manage acquisitions of published heritage.
LAC launches the public catalogue of its collection Q3 2018-2019 LAC will launch its new catalogue for its own library collection in the fall of 2018.

Commitment 2: At the leading edge of archival and library science and new technologies

Table 2
Activity Update
LAC commits to fostering a transparent and open internal dialogue
  • In January, LAC informed employees about how it handles its interactions with national stakeholders.
  • On February 14, the Blueprint 2020 Champion posted an intranet message entitled “Blueprint 2020: Look back & celebrate our successes!”
  • On February 14, the Blueprint 2020 annual report was posted on the intranet.
  • In March 2018, the Blueprint 2020 initiative intranet page was revamped and updated as part of the redesign of the LAC intranet site.
LAC commits to continuing efforts with regard to recognition and engagement
  • On February 22, LAC’s Recognition Champion noted the importance of nominating deserving colleagues for awards. A record number of nominations were received this year by the Recognition Committee.
  • On February 28, an “Our Colleagues’ Discoveries” mini-conference showcased the knowledge and expertise of our staff.
  • On March 22, to strengthen the recognition culture at LAC, the Recognition Champion presented a number of formal and informal ways of recognizing the achievements and efforts of co-workers. She then invited employees to share examples of successes on the LAC intranet.
LAC commits to fostering employees’ development and to providing them with innovative, reliable and efficient tools
  • In January, LAC promoted mentoring as a professional development tool.
  • In February and March, employees had the opportunity of taking part in a discussion session to learn more about historic and modern treaties related to the territorial claims of Indigenous peoples. Additional discussion sessions were organized on other topics: the new Co-Lab crowdsourcing tool, the library management system renewal project, and a report on IFLA’s 83rd annual conference.
  • In January and February, LAC organized workshops for its employees on key leadership skills and mental health in the workplace.
  • In March 2018, issues related to diversity and inclusion were discussed.
  • On March 23, 2018, the Info Kiosk project, one of the winners of the first “Dragon’s Lair” event, was successfully completed. A new interactive touch screen that helps to orient users is now in operation at 395 Wellington Street in Ottawa

Review 10 key operational procedures per year

Table 3
Procedure Description of change and impact Deadline
1. Implementation of an electronic system to manage the circulation and physical control of the collection Ensure optimal management of material. [Completed]
2. Creation of a virtual workspace for social and Indigenous archives Allow for the creation and management of records associated with social and Indigenous archives. [Completed]
3. Implementation of a business capability model Ensure optimal alignment between LAC’s business operations, capabilities and technological systems, to improve prioritization related to the development and replacement of technological applications. [Completed]
4. Lean management process Review the process of information flow between sectors based on Lean methods aimed at operational efficiency. [Completed]
5. Policy management framework Review and update the policy management framework, to support optimal management of Government of Canada and LAC policy instruments through the implementation of clearly established principles, roles and responsibilities. [Completed]
6. Improved bilingual descriptions in MIKAN Create and upload bilingual descriptions for public access in MIKAN in accordance with the May 23, 2017, Directive on the Official Language of Description. [Completed]
7. Direct transfers Improve the validation and coordination of direct transfers of government files from regions to the National Capital Region. [Completed]
8. Monitoring and reporting on archival fonds Improve collections handling and communication between the quality assurance and archiving teams. [Completed]
9. Redesign of the digitization process Merge project teams and on-demand digitization teams to improve the efficiency of the digitization service. [Completed]
10. Updating the access to information and privacy procedures Harmonize practices and improve service efficiency. [Completed]

Hold six annual conferences with external experts

Table 4
Title Conference date Number of participants
1. Lowy Council event: 20th Century Genocide: Indigenous and Jewish Experiences June 21, 2017 72
2. Ottawa Architecture Week panel discussion (Carleton University) Sept. 26, 2017 85
3. Globe Talk – Fake News Oct. 16, 2017 150
4. Wallot-Sylvestre Seminar with Dr. Mercedes de Vega: The Place and Role of Archives and Archivists in Mexico Oct. 24, 2017 47
5. Forum with University Partners Nov. 6, 2017 150
6. Lecture by architect Douglas Cardinal Nov. 29, 2017 137
7. Taking It to the Next Level: Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums Summit 2018 Jan. 30, 2018 280
8. Wallot-Sylvestre Seminar with Laurence Engel: Que peut la bibliothèque? [What Can a Library Do?] March 26, 2018 93

Start to build the new preservation facility by 2019

Table 5
Deliverable for the project planning phase Deadline Update
1. Renewal of Letter of Interest Q2 [Completed] In July 2017, an updated letter of interest was posted on Buyandsell.gc.ca.
2. Launch of Request for Qualification (RFQ) Q3 [Completed] The RFQ, which is intended to pre-qualify three respondents for an invitation to tender in the potential Public-Private Partnership (P3), was launched on October 31, 2017.
3. Evaluation of RFQ submissions Q4 [Completed] The RFQ evaluations led to the pre-qualification of three respondents for the invitation to tender in the potential P3.
4. Launch of Request for Proposals (RFP) Q4 [Completed] The RFP for the selection of a private-sector partner to construct and operate the new building was sent to the three respondents who qualified under the RFQ. The names of those respondents are now posted on Buyandsell.gc.ca.

Receive 22,000 visitors annually at 395 Wellington Street, in Ottawa

Annual visits at 395 Wellington Street, in Ottawa:

  • 2016-2017: 32,490 visits
  • 2017-2018: 36,600 visits

The number of visits to 395 Wellington Street includes visitors who sign in on the second and third floors as well as visitors registered by the laser counter at the entrance to the exhibition hall.

In 2017–2018, LAC received 4,110 more visitors than in the previous fiscal year.

13. Preserve 100% of our digital acquisitions using a digital curation platform

Table 6
Development stage of the digital curation platform Deadline Update
Archiving of government records Q4 [Completed] LAC developed a work plan to collect government records automatically from other departments.
Acquiring a digital content management system for published heritage Q3 [Completed] Proposals have been evaluated according to the methods and criteria specified in the Request for Proposals.
Testing and configuring the digital content management system for published heritage (2018-2019) LAC is working on system configuration to prepare for testing planned throughout 2018–2019.

Commitment 3: Proactively engaged in national and international networks

Set up a secretariat to manage implementation of the National Digitization Strategy

LAC completed its establishment of the secretariat in 2016–2017.

Reach 10 agreements with new partners by 2019

Although the three-year target was reached in 2016–2017, LAC continues to work on new agreements in 2017–2018. To date, LAC has entered into 3 additional agreements, bringing the total to 14 agreements since April 1, 2016.

Table 7
Name of partner Date of signature Duration of partnership Description of partnership
Queen’s University May 25, 2017 5 years Collaborative agreement for acquiring and sharing skills and knowledge concerning technological development and research theories and methods, as well as for promoting Canada’s documentary heritage
University of Toronto Nov. 6, 2017 5 years Collaborative agreement for acquiring and sharing skills and knowledge concerning technological development and research theories and methods, as well as for promoting Canada’s documentary heritage.
General Archive of the Nation of the United Mexican States Nov. 26, 2017 5 years Memorandum of understanding that defines a framework for collaboration in archival practices.

Allow the public to help enhance information related to two collections per year

In 2017–2018, LAC did not reach its annual target. However, it developed Co-Lab, a simple and user-friendly brand-new online tool that will enable the public to transcribe and describe more images and more digitized documents in LAC’s collection.

In April 2018, LAC will launch this crowdsourcing tool at the same time as it will make four items of its collection available online. For instance, the public will be invited to help enhance information related to Rosemary Gilliat (Eaton)'s Arctic diary and photographs.

Provide $1.5M annually for community projects under the Documentary Heritage Communities Program (DHCP) [yearly target]

Distribution of contributions granted by size:

  • Major contributions (over $15,000) : 62%
  • Small contributions ($15,000 or less) : 38%

All of the funds available in 2017–2018 were assigned to program recipients in the first quarter.

Geographic distribution of grant recipients in the DHCP in 2017–2018

  • Yukon: 0 grant recipients
  • British Columbia: 11 grant recipients
  • Northwest Territories: 0 grant recipients
  • Alberta: 2 grant recipients
  • Saskatchewan: 2 grant recipients
  • Nunavut: 0 grant recipients
  • Manitoba: 2 grant recipients
  • Ontario: 8 grant recipients
  • Quebec: 18 grant recipients
  • New Brunswick: 2 grant recipients
  • Prince Edward Island: 0 grant recipients
  • Nova Scotia: 2 grant recipients
  • Newfoundland and Labrador: 1 grant recipient

Adopt an international relations strategy

In 2016–2017, LAC achieved its target by adopting an international relations strategy.

Have 10 Canadian representatives on the major international documentary heritage committees [three-year target]

Table 8
Name of committee Number of Canadian members
International Council on Archives 4
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions 6
International Internet Preservation Consortium 1
Total 11

This indicator focuses exclusively on three international organizations. The emphasis is on the steering committees of these organizations and on the Canadian members with leadership or committee chair positions. Canadian members include both LAC employees and other Canadians from the documentary heritage community. Individuals with multiple roles are counted once only.

Commitment 4: Greater public visibility

Hold a total of 21 exhibitions organized by or in collaboration with LAC [three-year target]

Table 9
Exhibition title Location Start End
1. Sir John A. Macdonald: Rare and Intriguing Treasures from the Vaults of Library and Archives Canada Dalnavert Museum and Visitors’ Centre, Winnipeg June 4, 2016 Sept. 2016
2. Alter Ego: Comics and Canadian Identity 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa May 12, 2016 Sept. 14, 2016
3. A Sunny Legacy: Celebrating Sir Wilfrid Laurier Laurier House, Ottawa June 1, 2016 Nov. 20, 2016
4. A Greater Sisterhood: The Women’s Rights Struggle in Canada Plaza Bridge, Ottawa July 1, 2016 Oct. 28, 2016
5. Icons of Knowledge: Architecture and Symbolism in National Libraries 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa Sept. 22, 2016 Feb. 20, 2017
6. Open Books: International Artists Explore the Chinese Folding Book 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa Sept. 28, 2016 Nov. 30, 2016
7. Hiding in Plain Sight: The Métis Nation UNESCO headquarters, Paris Feb. 1, 2017 Feb. 9, 2017
8. Foundations: The Words that Shaped Canada Library of Parliament, Ottawa March 9, 2017 Dec. 31, 2017
9. Moments from 150 Years Ago Canadian Museum of History (Treasures from Library and Archives Canada), Gatineau April 20, 2017 Feb. 28, 2018
10. Canada in Kodachrome: Imaging Pleasure and Leisure St. Patrick subway station, Toronto – Contact Photography Festival April 29, 2017 May 28, 2017
11. Photographs from the 19th Century National Gallery of Canada (Canadian and Indigenous Art), Ottawa June 2017 Dec. 2017
12. Photographs from the Mid-20th Century National Gallery of Canada (Canadian and Indigenous Art), Ottawa June 2017 Dec. 2018
13. Canada: Who Do We Think We Are? 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa June 5, 2017 March 1, 2018
14. Hiding in Plain Sight: Discovering the Métis Nation in the Archival Records of Library and Archives Canada Centre du patrimoine, Saint-Boniface June 27, 2017 Oct. 28, 2017
15. Shaping a Nation: 150 Years of Confederation Plaza Bridge, Ottawa July 27, 2017 Oct. 31, 2017
16. Building on History: Fifty Years of Preserving Memory at 395 Wellington Street 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa July 2017 Dec. 2017
17. Karsh Gabriel Sundukyan National Academic Theatre, Erevan, Armenia Oct. 16, 2017 Oct. 22, 2017
18. Gold and Silver: Images and Illusions of the Gold Rush Canadian Photography Institute, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa Nov. 3, 2017 April 2, 2018
19. Three original treaties on display to mark Treaties Recognition Week:
  • Robinson-Huron and Robinson-Superior treaties
  • Selkirk Treaty, as part of the Canada: Who Do We Think We Are? exhibition
 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa Nov. 6, 2017
June 5, 2017		 Dec. 8, 2017
March 1, 2018
20. Hiding in Plain Sight: Discovering the Métis Nation in the Archival Records of Library and Archives Canada Enterprise Square Gallery, University of Alberta, Edmonton Nov. 15, 2017 Jan. 14, 2018
21. Portraits on Metal: Tintypes from Library and Archives Canada National Gallery of Canada (Canadian and Indigenous Art), Ottawa Dec. 12, 2017 July 6, 2018
22. Hiding in Plain Sight: Discovering the Métis Nation in the Archival Records of Library and Archives Canada Saskatoon Public Library Feb. 3, 2018 May 13, 2018
23. The Artist’s Mirror: Self Portraits Glenbow Museum, Calgary March 10, 2018 Jan. 6, 2019
24. A Little History Canadian Museum of History (Treasures from Library and Archives Canada), Gatineau March 30, 2018 Jan. 27, 2019

Create a designated space for LAC’s collections in two well-known exhibition venues [three-year target]

In the first quarter of 2017–2018, LAC reached its objective by creating designated spaces for its collection at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau and at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary.

Double the number of subscribers to LAC’s social media pages [three-year target]

  • Three-year target: 100,000 subscribers
  • Number of subscribers: 115,254
    • Facebook : 53,556
    • Twitter : 58,383
    • YouTube : 3,315

In April 2017, the initial three-year target of 70,000 subscribers was raised to 100,000.

By March 31, 2018, that three-year target had been surpassed by 15%.

Since April 2016, LAC has tripled the number of subscribers to its social media pages. 

Reach 60 loan agreements for exhibitions [three-year target]

In 2016–2017, LAC entered into 12 loan agreements for exhibitions. LAC has entered into an additional 27 agreements since the start of 2017–2018.

Table 10
Exhibition title Location Time frame Size of loan
13. Expo 67: A World of Dreams Stewart Museum, Montréal April 26 to Oct. 8, 2017 3 items
14. Lester B. Pearson’s collection Old Mill Heritage Centre, Manitoulin Island May 5 to Oct. 7, 2017 54 items
15. Betwixt & Between: An Untold Tom Thomson Story Tom Thomson Art Gallery, Owen Sound May 28 to Sept. 10, 2017 2 items
16. Canadian and Indigenous Art National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa June 15 to Sept. 4, 2017 33 items
17. Romancing the Canoe Glenbow Museum, Calgary Du 17 juin au 10 sept. 2017 3 items
18. Franklin: Death in the ice
  • National Maritime Museum, London, United Kingdom
  • Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau
  • Mystic Seaport, The Museum of America and the Sea, United States
  • Alaska Anchorage Museum, United States
  • July 14, 2017, to Jan. 7, 2018
  • March 2 to Sept. 30, 2018
  • Nov. 2018 to April 2019
  • June to Sept. 2019
 6 items
19. Exhibition of the Original Treaty 7 Document Fort Calgary National Historic Site June 19 to Oct. 9, 2017 1 item
20. In Search of Expo 67 Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal June 21 to Oct. 1, 2017 2 items
21. Uncovering Artists' Books School of Art Gallery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg Oct. 10 to Dec. 1, 2017 11 items
22. Trailblazing – Women in Canada since 1867 Waterloo Region Museum Sept. 21, 2017, to Jan. 7, 2018 6 items
23. Dreams and Schemes : Building the Welland Canals RiverBrink Art Museum, Queenston, Ontario Sept. 28, 2017, to Jan. 27, 2018 2 items
24. Exhibition on the works of Jacques Poulin Maison de la littérature, Québec Sept. 28 to Nov. 8, 2017 11 items
25. Gold and Silver: Images and Illusions of the Gold Rush National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa Nov. 3, 2017, to April 2, 2018 33 items
26. Betwixt & Between: An Untold Tom Thomson Story Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa Jan. 27 to March 18, 2018 3 items
27. Canada's Legal System Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg Feb. to Aug. 2018 6 items
28. Notes in the Night: Toronto Jazz Clubs, 1946-2010 Market Gallery, Toronto March 3 to June 23, 2018 8 items
29. Refuge Canada Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Halifax March 10 to Nov. 11, 2018 4 items
30. Canadian and Indigenous Art (rotation of items) National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa March to Aug. 2018 17 items
31. Scotiabank Photography Award Ryerson Image Centre, Toronto May 2 to Aug. 5, 2018 5 items
32. Laurent Amiot: Canadian Master Silversmith National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa May 11 to Sept. 16, 2018 2 items
33. Obsession: Sir William Van Horne’s Japanese Ceramics
  • Gardiner Museum, Toronto
  • Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
  • Oct. 16, 2018, to Jan. 20, 2019
  • March to May 2019
 4 items
34. Rights of Passage: Canada at 150 Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg Nov. 1, 2017, to Nov. 30, 2018 19 items
35. Carol Sawyer: The Natalie Brettschneider Archive Vancouver Art Gallery Oct. 28, 2017, to Feb. 4, 2018 7 items
36. Canadian and Indigenous Art (rotation of items) National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa Dec. 12, 2017, to June 15, 2018 33 items
37. Passion : Hockey
  • Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau
  • Pointe-à-Callières, Montréal
  • Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg
  • March 3, 2017, to Oct. 9, 2017
  • Nov. 25, 2017, to March 11, 2018
  • July 2018 to Jan. 2019
 31 items
38. Protecting Rights in Canada (rotation of items) Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg Feb. to Aug. 2018 6 items
39. 39. A Little History Canadian Museum of History (Treasures from Library and Archives Canada), Gatineau March 29, 2018, to Jan. 27, 2019 32 items

24. Provide a renewed service offering in two Canadian cities [three-year target]

In 2017–2018, LAC implemented a renewed service offering in two Canadian cities. Its new point of service in the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, in Halifax, opened in May 2017, while its new point of service in the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library opened on November 8, 2017.

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