Here is a Tweet by Heritage Minister James Moore
James Moore@EmmMacfarlane Is why we're creating History Museum: access. The LAC main building is not designed or meant for public access. History is.
2013 Apr 24, 02:42
Replies to this Tweet
EmmMacfarlane@JamesMoore_org I look forward to seeing how it works out. Will be doing lots of research at the Archives this summer too.
4 hours ago
rowancaister@JamesMoore_org @emmmacfarlane Not meant for public access? LAC has a library users' video. Public Works lets you book exhibition spaces.
4 hours ago
deh_voh@JamesMoore_org @EmmMacfarlane The history of LAC shows was meant for public access & history for museum difficult to ascertain without
4 hours ago
marlawd@JamesMoore_org @emmmacfarlane LAC was once the "Public Archives of Canada." From it's beginnings it has been for public use! #cdnpoli
4 hours ago
ProfWalsh2003@JamesMoore_org @emmmacfarlane Sir, from LAC Act: "(b) to make that heritage known to Canadians ...and to facilitate access to it".
3 hours ago
Eversostupid@JamesMoore_org @EmmMacfarlane LAC not designed for public access? Freedom-of-information-hating Cons are tearing down LAC brick by brick.
2 hours ago
janeschmidt@JamesMoore_org @EmmMacfarlane 1/2 Physical access is one thing, slapdash/unfunded digital strategies are another. Not listening to ...
2 hours ago
janeschmidt@JamesMoore_org @EmmMacfarlane 2/2 concerns (nee outcry) of the professional library/archival community about direction of LAC is baffling.
2 hours ago
Rujiroj@JamesMoore_org @emmmacfarlane I'm a member of the public and use LAC all the time, sir! Why, I even have a library card with my name on it!
48 minutes ago
Comment
If you've walked the marble halls, and art festooned reading rooms at395 Wellington you wonder how such an ill informed comments could come to be made.
Contrast that with an LAC blog post, here, from last November:
"Another LAC building, located at 395 Wellington Street in downtown Ottawa, is a popular destination for researchers who come regularly to consult the archival and published collections."
Clearly Minister Moore has never been in the building and I suspect that many if his staff and advisers could not find it without a GPS.
ReplyDeleteI remember visiting the building many, many years ago not long after it opened (late 1960s?) to access genealogical records. At that time, it was clearly designed for users to come and search through the hardcopy files - and it was wonderful to see and touch original documents. I wonder what architects Minister Moore has been speaking with?
ReplyDeleteThe building at 395 Wellington was Canada's national Centennial project, opened to the public in 1967.
ReplyDeleteThere is a link to CBC description of the opening by Lloyd Robertson for people to listen too at http://www.cbc.ca/archives/categories/arts-entertainment/architecture/architecture-general/the-national-library-of-canada-opens-new-hq.html.
It was a building to be proud of, not one to run down or trivialize with uninformed comments.
It was designed for public access, decorated to be pleasing at the entrance, and its services located on lower levels for public convenience. Its cafeteria even had good food for people to eat. One of the research rooms was open well after midnight for "out of towners!"
Why the current LAC administration has passively allowed PUBLIC WORKS to assume control of the main floor, reduced its hours, and made appointments necessary for consultation routine over the past five years can only mean it is less interested in direct public service.