For your information. Melinda Renner, UNB Law Library, Fredericton. ------- Forwarded message follows ------- Date sent: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 09:24:08 -0500 (EST) From: Vivienne Monty <[log in to unmask]> Subject: infodep Important Message Send reply to: [log in to unmask] Urgent Notice The Library Advisory Committee of the DSP (Depository Services Program) met last week in Ottawa and found out that the Program is being merged with Canadian Government Publishing which is the arm of Communication Canada that sells Canadian Government Publications. As well, the Director of the Depository Services Program's position is being phased out. As of yesterday, the Director of the Program was relieved of his duties and the re- organization of the section is being stepped up. There was also a strong indication received by the Library Advisory Committee that the proposed re-organization is already with Treasury Board which would mean that all funding for the Program is involved. The library community was not consulted about this. The "Partners in Access" indeed are turning out to be no partners at all. At the same time, legislation is moving forward concerning the new Library and Archives Canada. In the last few years, the National Library has developed many synergies with the DSP in providing tools of access. The National Library has moved ahead with critical programs such as identification and capturing of e-documents, archiving these and providing access tools to them, sometimes conjointly with DSP. There are over one thousand Depository Libraries that interpret, give reference to and generally provide direct access to government documents to the public. We do so in the most democratic of fashions so that no citizen is further than 50 miles from one of us. The local access we provide is impartial and done in a professional environment. We are the grass roots of government information. We need to let the government know that the appropriate fit for their and OUR Program is at the new Library and Archives Canada. The library community has worked with the Depository Services Program for years, ensuring that the information collected by the Government of Canada is available to all Canadians. 75 years of this successful partnership and history can continue and grow only in a future partners program that Library and Archives Canada is positioned to provide. Later this week, the Canadian Library Association will be sending out a suggested letter to the community asking us to contact various Ministers. WE MUST ALL WRITE (email) if we wish to see the Program protected. The Canadian Library Association is working in concert with other library associations and other groups as well. I will post a memo on this listerv, if I am allowed, to let you know where you can find the proposed letter. If not, watch for information at http://www.cla.ca or contact me at [log in to unmask] Vivienne (:>) __________________________________________ Vivienne Monty Senior Librarian York University Frost Library 2275 Bayview Ave. Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M6 _________