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FORWARDED FOR: Peter Wilson <[log in to unmask]> [with apologies for cross-posting] To the members of the Canadian Library Association and other concerned representatives of the library community: On behalf of Communication Canada, I am writing in response to the issues you have raised concerning recent changes at Communication Canada whereby the Depository Services Program (DSP) and Canadian Government Publishing (CGP) were combined into one unit. I would like to take this opportunity to address your concerns and to alleviate any fears you might have concerning Minister Goodale's and Communication Canada's commitment to the DSP. As you may know, the DSP and CGP deliver common services and work very closely together: both use the same catalogue of Government publications, manage a distribution system (either to libraries or to the public and retail outlets), liaise with Government departments, and support the Government of Canada Publications Site. The decision to manage the two programs under a single director is consistent with the approach that was taken for the first seventy years of existence of the DSP, between 1927 and 1997, when the two programs were managed jointly. Only between 1997 and 2002, as a result of organizational arrangements within Public Works and Government Services Canada, were the two programs managed separately. We can assure you that neither the funding nor the operations of the DSP are at any risk as a result of the alignment of business functions. In fact, we are confident that the public and the depository libraries will in fact be better served as a result of the changes. All services previously offered will continue to be offered, including a full suite of services to and liaison with the library community. Clients of the two programs will continue to receive the same products and services that they have customarily received, and improvements to the Publications Site will continue as planned. The new position of Director, Publications, will be staffed through a competitive process that takes the need for familiarity with the depository library community and its interests into account. You have also recommended giving consideration to moving the DSP to the National Library. As noted above, the advantages of a close relationship between Canadian Government Publishing and the DSP are significant, and together the two programs make an important contribution to Communication Canada's ability to achieve its mandate to improve communications between the Government of Canada and Canadians. Communication Canada is nevertheless prepared to consider a closer partnership with the new National Library organization, and we will be meeting with National Library staff to explore a variety of options in that regard. In closing, Communication Canada would like to thank you for your continuing commitment to the Depository Services Program and to the objective of making government information freely and equitably available to the public. Liseanne Forand Assistant Executive Director, Communication Programs and Services Communication Canada [log in to unmask] For more information on the Call for Action, please visit the CLA website at http://www.cla.ca/issues/dsp_goodale.htm. Thanks to all of you who took the time to make Minister Goodale aware of the concerns of the library community. Peter Wilson Communications Coordinator Canadian Library Association 328 Frank Street Ottawa, Ontario CANADA K2P 0X8 (613) 232-9625 ext. 320 Fax: (613) 563-9895 email: [log in to unmask] http://www.cla.ca