Canadian Council of Archives (CCA) Will Delivery Young Canada Works (YCW) Program to English Canadian Libraries

March 31, 2016

As it continues to wind down operations, the Canadian Library Association (CLA) announced that the Canadian Council of Archives (CCA) will take over as the delivery organization for Young Canada Works (YCW) Programs in the Heritage Sector for Canadian libraries and related organizations operating in English. (Association pour l’avancement des sciences et des techniques de la documentation (ASTED) continues to be delivery organization for YCW Programs to French Canadian libraries and related organizations.)

These programs include:

• YCW in Heritage Organizations Summer Work Experience
• YCW at Building Careers in Heritage Programs

From the CLA News Release:

Ottawa (March 31, 2016) : Canadian Library Association (CLA) is delighted to announce that Canadian Council of Archives (CCA) will administer both the YCW in Heritage Organizations Summer Work Experience and YCW at Building Careers in Heritage Programs to Canadian libraries and related organizations operating in English for the 2016 – 2017 program year. CLA has completed the review and identified the successful applicants and CCA is prepared to issue notices of success to these applicants, within the original timeframes of the Contribution Agreement.

CLA and CCA have a shared commitment and responsibility to the library and archival communities to assist in the provision of opportunity for our students to gain valuable hands on experience, knowledge, and skills while earning an income to advance their studies.

Declining membership and other factors had significantly weakened CLA’s position as a national association. After 69 years of service to the library community CLA recognized that a fundamental restructuring within the landscape of Canadian library associations was required. The membership of CLA voted to dissolve the association and support the establishment of the new federation of library associations on January 27, 2106.

As a result of this decision, CLA is not able to sign agreements for the 2016 – 2017 program year, nor will it be able to deliver the YCW program. CLA did not want to see these programs cancelled for the 2016 – 2017 year and has been working towards a solution with the Department of Canadian Heritage and CCA that would not only see the program continue, but continue seamlessly.

The Canadian Council of Archives’ (CCA) Board of Directors extended its support to the library community during this critical period of transition, by offering to continue the direct delivery of YCW in order to avoid delays or complications for approved organizations. Further, CCA is seeking to keep the delivery as consistent and seamless as possible by maintaining the status quo with staffing and volunteer capacity for CLA’s current YCW delivery.

CCA is a bilingual registered charitable organization, assisting over 800 archives as they advance the preservation, organization, and accessibility of our country’s rich archival heritage. Established thirty years ago to foster collaboration and coordination throughout the Canadian Archival System, CCA’s services are essential to the archival community. CCA has been a delivery partner for YCW since 1996 and also delivers professional secretariat services to the Council of Provincial and Territorial Archivists (CPTA), National Archival Appraisal Board (NAAB) and the North American Archival Network for the International Council of Archives (NAANICA).

The assistance offered is in keeping with our shared values across information communities. As explained in Royal Society of Canada’s in 2014 Expert Panel Report “The Future Now: Canada’s Libraries, Archives and Public Memory,” libraries and archives throughout Canada have many overlapping obligations. They collect, preserve and disseminate knowledge, and provide access to information and intellectual resources for civic engagement and social good. Libraries and archives are actively meeting the challenges of unfolding digital technologies, changing cultural practices, and society’s expectations.

Once the new Federation of Library Associations has been established, discussions will take place within the library community and with the Department of Canadian Heritage, regarding a more long-term solution for Young Canada Works delivery to libraries and related organizations.

For further information:

Valoree McKay, CAE
Executive Director
Canadian Library Association
vmckay@cla.ca
613-232-9625

Christina Nichols, CAE
Executive Director
Canadian Council for Archives
cnichols@archivescanada.ca
613-565-1222