North: The Canadian Shared Print Network Launches to Ensure Preservation of Unique Canadian Publications

July 25, 2022

Edmonton, AB., June 21, 2022 – First there was WEST, then EAST, and now North! The North/Nord Steering Committee is proud to announce the launch of its preservation initiative North: the Canadian Shared Print Network / Nord : Réseau canadien de conservation partagée des documents imprimés.

North/Nord is a national initiative to coordinate assessment of library collections across participating academic, government, and public libraries. The evaluation of holdings will lead to the identification of uniquely held materials, the securing of long-term retention commitments to protect against the risk of loss of those unique titles, and the knowledge that the full scope of Canadian published heritage will be better preserved collectively. This opportunity makes it possible for libraries to provide access to more content, more study space, and a shared option for preservation.

North/Nord is a collaborative venture funded by Library and Archives Canada, the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL), the Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULC), and Canada’s four regional academic library consortia. The program will build on the work completed by other shared print programs in Canada and expand the opportunity to participate beyond university libraries, recognizing that libraries in different sectors collect different materials under distinct mandates.

“This is an important and exciting initiative that will result in improved awareness, preservation of, and access to materials written in Canada, all while building a greater sense of community and collaboration across libraries” said Trish Chatterley, Network Coordinator for the Program. “The initial round of projects will be scoped under three separate but related streams, Government Documents, Indigenous Works, and Canadiana. We hope to build a network of trust, and will be consulting widely with staff across library types to ensure we move this work forward in a respectful manner.” Given the depth and breadth of Canada’s publication history, it will take time to undertake assessment and retention work across the millions of publications that fall within this scope.

Libraries with holdings that fall under these categories are encouraged to consider participating in the North/Nord Shared Print Network. Please visit the website at https://northnordsharedprint.ca/ to learn more.

About North/Nord:

North/Nord is a national shared print network that coordinates the activities of existing regional shared print initiatives and provides a path to participation for other interested libraries not yet in a shared print program. This national program provides a means to consolidate print collections while ensuring long-term content retention and access for users. All categories of print (monographs, serials, government documents) will be considered, and the primary focus will be on Canadian materials.

For further information: Please email the Network Coordinator at north.nord.sharedprint@gmail.com.

(Via North: The Canadian Shared Print Network)