Reopening Library and Archives Canada

The following is posted on the LAC website as of Thursday 23 July 2020.

We are carefully planning a gradual reopening of Library and Archives Canada’s (LAC) service points across the country. The health and safety of employees and visitors is our priority. The offices located in Ottawa, Halifax, Winnipeg and Vancouver may open independently, following a staged approach. On this page, you will find the latest details and opening dates for each office as they become available.

Reopening stages
In the past few months, our staff has been hard at work to provide remote services to the public.

On August 12, 2020, it is expected that a limited number of staff will begin to return to the worksites. In this first stage of gradual reopening, LAC will remain closed to the public. However, we will resume copy services (online orders only) and be able to provide enhanced remote reference services, as staff will be on site and have greater access to items from the collection.

Although we do not yet have specific dates for when this will happen, we will increase our service offerings as additional staff return to the worksites. As such, we will begin to offer limited public access services by reservation only. These services will be gradually broadened, and access to the public service points and collection will be increased all the while following local and national health and safety measures. These will include limited reserved seating in our consultation, reference and genealogy rooms, expanded research capabilities, and greater services offered by our reference and information desks in our various locations.

We will continue to monitor the situation as we move toward a return to more open and accessible services to the public, including reopening of the DigiLab services and, when possible, a return of in-person public events, workshops and tours.

Current status per region
Here you will find region-specific links to the latest information on the stages of reopening and the gradual resumption of online and in-person services. In all cases, LAC will apply and reinforce local and national health and safety measures. Check back regularly and follow our social media accounts for the latest news. We are looking forward to welcoming you back soon!

Ottawa: Online Services Available – Closed to the Public
The facility located at 395 Wellington Street in Ottawa is currently closed to the public. We are planning the return to the workplace of employees and implementing health and safety measures.

Read about the online services currently offered: COVID-19: Latest update for LAC’s public services and programming
Prepare for your visit by completing your User Card Registration (no opening date available for visits yet)

Halifax: Online Services Available – Closed to the Public
The service point located in the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, 1055 Marginal Road in Halifax, is currently closed to the public. We are planning the return to the workplace of employees and implementing health and safety measures.

Winnipeg: Online Services Available – Closed to the Public
The facility located at 1700 Inkster Boulevard in Winnipeg is currently closed to the public. We are planning the return to the workplace of employees and implementing health and safety measures

Vancouver: Online Services Available – Closed to the Public
The service point located on the 7th floor of the Vancouver Public Library, 350 West Georgia Street, and at 420 – 300 West Georgia Street in Vancouver are currently closed to the public. We are planning the return to the workplace of employees and implementing health and safety measures.