National Library of Canada : The National Library of Canada, located in the National Capital Region, was created by Act of Parliament in June 1952. The National Library Act (1 Elizabeth II, Chap.31) came into effect 1 January 1953. This legislation was repealed and replaced in 1969 by a new National Library Act (17-18 Elizabeth II, Chap.47) which came into effect on 1 September of that year. Notable among the subsequent amendments to this legislation are the 1995 repeal of sections dealing with the National Library Advisory Board and the 1994 strengthening of provisions regarding legal deposit.
The National Librarian, who has the rank and status of a deputy head of a department, is the chief executive officer. S/he is responsible for the management and direction of the National Library under the provisions of the Act and for the administration of the National Library Book Deposit Regulations. Incumbents of this position have included Dr. W. K. Lamb (1953-1968), Dr. Guy Sylvestre (1968-1984) and Dr. Marianne Scott (1984-present). The National Librarian currently (1997) reports to Parliament through the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
Although calls for the creation of a national library date to the 19th century, the immediate origins of the institution lie in the appointment in 1948 of Dr. W. K. Lamb as Dominion Archivist. Among his responsibilities, he was charged with the special assignment of preparing the way for the establishment of a national library. The carrying out of services essential to the organization of such an institution began in May 1950 with the creation of the Canadian Bibliographic Centre and commencement of work on a national bibliography and a national union catalogue. The Canadian Bibliographic Centre was absorbed into the National Library upon the latter's creation. From the establishment of the National Library of Canada in 1953 until 1968, the positions of Dominion Archivist and National Librarian were held simultaneously by Dr. Lamb. Since 1968 the National Library and the National Archives have continued to maintain an arrangement whereby certain financial, administrative, personnel and conservation services are shared.
In broad terms, it is the responsibility of the National Library to acquire, preserve, promote and make accessible the published heritage of Canada and to assist in fostering the development of, and facilitate the sharing in, library resources and services throughout the country. The National Library Act gives the institution the mandate "to develop and preserve collections to support both its own services and those of other Canadian libraries, to administer legal deposit, to provide services which promote equitable access to the country's library and information resources for all Canadians, to compile and publish the national bibliography, to coordinate federal library services, and to transfer and dispose of surplus library materials from other federal departments" (Main Estimates, Part III, 1995-96). In addition to maintaining the most comprehensive collection of published Canadiana in the world, the National Library also acquires and preserves literary and music manuscripts. It serves as a centre for research in Canadian studies and as a showcase for Canadian literature and music.
The organizational structure established to fulfil this mandate has evolved over time. The program today (1997) is comprised of the following functional areas: Acquisitions and Bibliographic Services; Research and Information Services; Information Technology Services; and a policy, planning and liaison service that encompasses branches devoted to Corporate Policy and Communications, Information Resource Management, National and International Programs, and the Office of the National Librarian.
Aspects of the administrative history of the National Library of Canada are documented in a number of published sources. Among the most useful are two articles published in Archivaria (no.15, Winter 1982/83): Jean Lunn, "The National Library of Canada, 1950-1968"; and F. Dolores Donnelly, "The National Library in the Library Community: Current Developments and Trends". Much of the current information on the National Library used in the preparation of this administrative history (mandate statement, annual reports, National Library Act, etc.) is available on the institution's Web Site.
