If you work in a Canadian memory institution and view your role as being at least partially responsible for the digital preservation of born-digital materials in the holdings of your institution, then you are invited to participate in this research study about stress and its impacts on digital preservationists in Canada. All digital preservationists in Canadian memory institutions are invited to participate.

If you consent to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete an online survey that is expected to take approximately 30 minutes. The survey closes on June 30, 2023.

The survey questionnaire includes questions about stressors related to the components of your digital preservation program; stress related to your use of technology; the impacts of your role as a digital preservationist on your stress and anxiety levels; your satisfaction with your job; your susceptibility to burnout; and your perceptions of your levels of generalized stress and anxiety. You will also be asked to identify your mood and any symptoms related to anxiety and/or depression that may have recently resulted from the stress of your work. There will also be questions pertaining to your age, gender, employment, and working conditions. The questionnaire includes both close-ended and open-ended questions. All questions are optional, and you can leave the survey at any time.

The letter of information about the research study is attached.

Letter of Information and Consent.pdf

If you choose to participate in this study, please click on the link below to access the online survey:https://uwinnipeg.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6R01m6pG78JHTG6.

Your participation would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Brett Lougheed

University Archivist/Digital Curator

Director, Oral History Centre

P 204.786.9914; C 204.396.6257

Treaty 1 Territory and the Home of the Metis Nation

515 Portage Avenue 
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
R3B 2E9

archives.uwinnipeg.ca

oralhistorycentre.ca

Are you, or someone you know, a Crafter, a Maker, Artist or an Author? Do you have a favourite local item that you wish to contribute to a self-care basket - maybe a favourite local honey, jam, or other preserve? Do you have a favourite local artist or photographer or print from your collection that you wish to donate?

If so - the Association of Canadian Archivists Foundation (ACAF) needs your inspired creations and/or your creative connections!

We are looking for donations of creative works towards our silent online auction which will take place during the ACA's 48th Annual Conference -Belonging- Considering archival bonds and disconnects.

You don't need to be an ACA member to contribute, or to bid - all are welcome and encouraged to get involved!

The Directors of the Association of Canadian Archivists Foundation (ACAF)  are looking forward to the first auction since 2019. This year's auction will take place in person and online using FollowMyBid.

You can complete this form:

https://archivists_ca.formstack.com/forms/aca_foundation_annual_auction_call_for_items

Images and descriptions will become available to community members June 28, 2023.

Sincerely,

Kyle Pugh, ACAF Director and Chair

Shannon Hodge

Daniel German

John Richan

ACAF Secretariat

Dear Colleagues,

Please join myself, and the Board of Directors for the Association of Canadian Archivists, in offering a hearty congratulations to Meredith J. Batt & Dusty Green, and Jeff O'Brien for their recent receipt of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal!

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (QPJM) recognizes outstanding individuals of all ages and from all walks of life, who have built and continue to build a strong, vibrant society and province through their service, contributions, and achievements.

Meredith J. Batt (Archivist with the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick) and Dusty Green (who was an intern with the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick and is the founder and researcher for New Brunswick Queer Heritage Initiative) were both honoured for their book "Len & Cub, A Queer History," which recalls the love story of two men in rural New Brunswick in the early 20th century. For more information on their work and this publication please see: https://theaquinian.net/authors-win-platinum-jubilee-medal-for-their-work-on-n-b-queer-history/

Jeff O'Brien, City Archivist for the City of Saskatoon, was honoured for his long-standing work in both promoting and preserving the history of the City of Saskatoon and bringing that history out into the community.

Warmest Regards,

Erica Hernández-Read

President

Association of Canadian Archivists

As you may already know, there have recently been a number of attempts to ban or censor books written by members of the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities, and to defund public libraries who do not comply with these heinous efforts. In response, the Board of the ACA has issued a letter of solidarity with the American Library Association, in support of their work fighting book bans.

The letter can be found here: ACA_LetterofSolidarity_ALA-2023-04-20signed.pdf

For more information on the ALA's work, please look here:

https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/book-ban-data

https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/

Kyle Pugh (he/him),
ACA Treasurer

***MUSEUM POLICY RENEWAL - PUBLIC SURVEY ***

The Department of Canadian Heritage has recently released the following email inviting input into the Museum Policy renewal process via public survey:

The Department of Canadian Heritage wants to know what Canadians think. While we continue to consult with heritage stakeholders, we also want to capture Canadians’ views and expectations on current and emerging priorities in the heritage sector through an online survey.

We are happy to announce that the Canadian Museum Policy: Public Consultation Survey is now accessible via the museum policy website at https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/renewal-museum-policy.html

This survey is directed at the Canadian public. We invite you to help us promote and communicate the importance of this survey by sharing the link to all your contacts.

Please consider taking some time to submit your feedback via this survey, and forward this invitation on to your friends and colleagues.

Your input matters!

Regards,

Erica

Erica Hernández-Read, M.A.S.
President
Association of Canadian Archivists
Email: acapresident@archivists.ca
Web: www.archivists.ca

Congratulations!

Please join myself, and the ACA Board of Directors in offering a hearty congratulations to archivists Donald Johnson, Jeremy Mohr and Shelley Sweeney for their recent receipt of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal!

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (QPJM) recognizes outstanding individuals of all ages and from all walks of life, who have built and continue to build a strong, vibrant society and province through their service, contributions, and achievements.

Both Donald and Jeremy have made tremendous contributions, over many years, not only to the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan but to many other archival communities - Donald at the provincial and national levels (including the SCCA's Response to the Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Taskforce), and Jeremy to the Saskatchewan Council of Archives and Archivists. While, most of us know of Shelley’s incredible work both at the University of Manitoba Archives and in championing the preservation of Manitoba’s history and her indefatigable promotion of her provinces cultural fabric and diversity.

Donald, Jeremy and Shelley - we always knew you were fabulous, and we're so glad others finally recognized it too!

For more information on Donald and Jeremy’s award please visit the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan News and Events page linked here. For more information on Shelley’s award presentation please visit the AMA Newsletter, March 2023 edition here.

Erica Hernández-Read

ACA President

"This reappointment will ensure continuity for the many important projects that Library and Archives Canada has begun in the last several years under Leslie Weir's stewardship. Library and Archives Canada plays a vital role in ensuring that Canadians can access and contribute to our shared heritage. Thanks to Leslie's leadership team and staff, Canadians benefit from our rich archives and resources, which help us learn about our past."

Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage 

GATINEAU, QC, March 15, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, the Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez announced the reappointment of Leslie Weir as Librarian and Archivist of Canada for a four-year term, effective August 30, 2023.

Since her first appointment in August 2019, Leslie Weir has led Library and Archives Canada through a series of exceptional challenges and major initiatives. In addition to guiding the institution through the COVID-19 pandemic, she oversaw the development of the library's Vision 2030 strategic plan and the launch of digital and service transformations to better serve Canadians. Weir has also helped guide major building projects, such as the Gatineau 2 Preservation Storage Facility and Ādisōke, the joint facility with the Ottawa Public Library.

Before joining the library, Ms. Weir was university librarian at the University of Ottawa, where she founded the bilingual School of Information Studies in the Faculty of Arts. She previously worked at the National Library of Canada, Statistics Canada Library and Côte St. Luc Public Library in Montréal.

In her career, Weir has played a key role in launching many significant library and archives research projects. She was a founding architect of the Scholars Portal, a research infrastructure initiative for Ontario universities, hosted at the University of Toronto. As President of Canadiana.org, she oversaw the launch of the Heritage Project, which digitized 60 million heritage archival images in partnership with LAC, which are publicly accessible. She also played a leading role in the development of the Canadian Research Knowledge Network and the Canadian Digital Content for the Social and Human Sciences Project.

Weir has served as President of both the Canadian Association of Research Libraries and the Ontario Library Association, as well as Chair of the Ontario Council of University Libraries. She is a Professional Division Chair and member of the Professional Council at the International Federation of Library Associations. She has received numerous awards, including the CLA/Ken Haycock Award for Promoting Librarianship (2015), the Ron MacDonald Distinguished Service Award from the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (2016), the Ontario Council of University Libraries Lifetime Achievement Award (2018) and the Canadian Association of Research Libraries Award for Distinguished Service to Research Librarianship (2018).

Weir holds a Master's degree in Library Science from McGill University and a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia University.

The ACA Nominations and Awards Committee (NAAC) is currently inviting nominations from the Canadian archival community for the following honors: 

• ACA Fellows
• Membership Recognition 
• Larry Dohey Award
• New Professional Award 
• Honorary Archivist Award 

Information on each award as well as the nomination process can be found on the Honours and Awards page: https://archivists.ca/Honours-and-Awards

Closing date for nominations is April 14th, 2023.

For more information, contact: Alice Albarda (NAAC.Co-Chair2@archivists.ca) or Shannon Hodge (NAAC.Co-Chair1@archivists.ca), co-chairs, NAAC.  

Date and Place of Presentation

Awards shall be bestowed at the Awards Celebration during the ACA Annual Conference in Charlottetown, PEI June 28 to July 1, 2023.

Nominations Open for the ACA Board of Director Elections

Online Form

Nominations Open January 30 - April 5, 2023, 11:59 pm (PT)

The Nominations and Awards Committee is seeking nominations for the following ACA Director (Board) positions that are up for election: 

·         Vice President (2 year term) 

·         Secretary (2 year term) 

·         Director at Large (2 year term) 

The term of office for these positions is two years and will begin the first week of July following the AGM, which takes place on June 14th, 2023 on Zoom. You may RSVP here: ACA Annual General Meeting - 2023

The slate of candidates will be presented to the Board once nominations have close, April 5, 2023. Online voting will open June 1, 2023 following the Members Input Session. You may RSVP here: Members Input Session

Nominations close, April 5, 2023 (11:59 pm PT).

All members in good standing will receive an online ballot via email. Institutional members should ensure that their designated delegate is clearly identified and up to date in their membership profile. If you need support entering your delegate name or updating your form, please reach out to the ACA Office.

See here for a full description of the Board positions and the commitment required for each elected position. 

You may download the nomination form for signature here and submit your nomination form, online using the link below: 

 20230130_nomination form ACA directors.pdf

See also the ACA Nominations and Elections Policy here. 

Directors must be individual members in good standing. Institutional members may have their designated delegate nominated for the Director-at-Large position. Nominations must be supported by five (5) ACA members. Those nominated must also provide a brief biography that will be made available to ACA members in advance of the online voting period, will be posted on the ACA website and available on the electronic ballot. 

The ACA welcomes more diverse and inclusive representation in the composition of its Board and Committees and encourages the nomination of all qualified individuals including women, members of racialized communities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Questions should be directed to Alice Albarda (NAAC.Co-Chair2@archivists.ca) or Shannon Hodge (NAAC.Co-Chair1@archivists.ca), co-chairs, Nominations and Awards Committee. 

The deadline for nominations April 5, 2023, 11:59 pm (PT).