Update on the Dissolution of the Canadian Library Association

April 29, 2016

The Canadian Library Association (CLA) provided an update in the latest issue of CLA Digest on the steps taken to dissolve CLA and transition some existing activities to the Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA).

Update from the Executive Director

Since the January 27, 2016 vote by the CLA members to dissolve the organization and support the creation of the Canadian Federation of Library Associations CLA staff and Executive Council have been working tirelessly to wrap up business, transfer programs where possible and plan the CLA National Forum taking place June 1 – 3 in Ottawa. Below is a table outlining the work done to date.

Charitable Funds

CLA’s file from the Canada Revenue Agency has been received and we are working with the Accountant and Legal Counsel to review the file prior to taking any next steps related to special purpose funds.

Lease

Due to the current real estate market in Ottawa and the location of the office, we have had no success in sub-leasing the space. This represents a significant liability for CLA. We hope to enter into negotiation with the Landlord in the near future.

CLA Archives

The majority of CLA’s physical archives have been transferred to Library and Archives Canada. The remainder will be transferred just prior to applying for dissolution.

Discussions have taken place with the CFLA regarding digital files and how we might ensure that they remain available and accessible to the library community.

Advocacy

CARL and CULC are currently taking a policy lead on the issue of Copyright, working with the CLA’s Copyright Advisory Committee.

TPL and OPL continue to lead the eBooks initiative in consultation with the CLA eBook Task Force.

The CFLA is aware of the issues that CLA was focussing on and will receive a report from the CLA National Forum that we hope will help inform their decisions around the broad issues that require national advocacy.

Intellectual Freedom – Annual Challenges Survey

CLA’s Intellectual Freedom Advisory Committee is working on the 2015 edition of this survey.

Discussions have taken place with CFLA regarding its potential adoption of this annual survey. No formal decisions have been made as of yet.

CLA Position Statements

CLA has initiated discussions with CFLA regarding important position statements, highlighting the Intellectual Freedom Statement as a critical statement to have in place early.

CFLA recognized the importance of national statements and is determining a process for review and other transition matters, such as access to historical statements, etc.

Awards

Discussions have taken place with CFLA regarding its potential adoption of some of these awards.

Some of these awards have funds associated with them which CLA is still investigating. No formal decisions have been made as of yet.

Website – CLA.CA / community.cla.ca (Feliciter)

Discussions have taken place with CFLA regarding the potential for it to take ownership of these two sites in the short term. No final decisions have been made.

Website – clatoolbox.ca – Library Shipping Tool

CLA is currently working to find a home for this program.

LAC-BAC has been suggested by members of the community as a potential home – I have confirmed with them that his is not possible.

Given the service nature of the Library Materials Shipping Tool it was felt by CLA’s Executive Council, supported by the new Canadian Federation of Library Associations / Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques (CFLA/FCAB), that the tool was better placed with an organization or group of organizations that provide member services.

Website – clatoolbox.ca – SLIC

CLA is in the process of moving the SLiC website to a new host organization. We are working with both the Editor as well as the School Libraries Advisory Committee and the Voices for School Libraries Network.

An announcement will be made regarding the new host once SLIC has been transferred and both parties are ready to go live with the new site.

Physical Assets & Services

CLA Staff have been working to dissolve CLA’s physical assets (selling of desks and other furniture, office supplies, donating where appropriate, etc)

They have also been cancelling services when they are able to in order to minimize cost and save where possible.

RDA – International Standard Co-Published by ALA/CILIP/CLA

Discussions have taken place with CFLA regarding the potential for it to take over CLA’s role as co-publisher on this important international standard and all of the activities and related committees. CFLA, CLA and the RDA board met in late April. No formal decisions have been made yet.

Accreditation

CLA staff have been working with ALA to summarize what is involved with this in order to present it to CFLA for consideration.

IFLA

CLA has informed IFLA that it will not be renewing its membership for 2016.

IFLA has provided information, via CLA, for the CFLA regarding membership along with options for consideration regarding the potential for CFLA to take over.

YCW Program

2016 – 2017 home found with Canadian Council of Archives

2017 – 2018 consideration by the CFLA as to whether they want to take this on. PCH is interested in speaking with the Federation once established.

Copyright on CLA Publications

Discussions have taken place with potential organizations to take over some or all of the various copyrights that CLA holds. No formal decisions have been made yet.

Legal counsel has provided feedback on how best to transfer these copyrights.

Guidelines and Standards (other than RDA & Leading Learning)

Discussions have taken place with the CFLA regarding the potential to take ownership of these standards. No formal decisions have been made yet.

Leading Learning

Discussions have taken place with the CFLA regarding the potential to take on stewardship of this standard. Discussion has also taken place with the School Libraries Advisory Committee and the Voices for School Libraries Network. No formal decisions have been made yet.

WIPO

Discussion has been had with the CFLA about taking on the role of CLA. Information on how to go about becoming accredited has been shared and the CFLA.

Finances

The Treasurer, Executive Director, and CLA Financial Officer continue to monitor CLA finances closely. They reach out to the Accountant when needed.

Book Sales

ALA has been notified that CLA will no longer be taking book orders for ALA Editions as of May 15, 2016.

Discussions have taken place with an organization regarding the potential for it to take over this distribution. Announcements will be made once details are finalized.