Library and Archives Canada

Profile narrative

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is a federal institution mandated to acquire, preserve, and provide access to Canada's documentary heritage. It serves as the national library and national archives of Canada, holding a vast collection of publications, archival records, photographs, maps, and digital materials that document the country's history, culture, and governance. The organization provides public access to its holdings through reading rooms, online databases, and loan programs, supporting researchers, students, genealogists, and the general public. In addition to its public-facing role, LAC establishes policies and standards for the management of government information, ensuring that federal departments and agencies create, maintain, and dispose of records in a manner that supports accountability and historical preservation. It also administers the Legal Deposit program, which requires Canadian publishers to send copies of their publications to the national collection.

Established in 2004 through the amalgamation of the National Library of Canada and the National Archives of Canada, LAC operates as a portfolio agency within the Department of Canadian Heritage, reporting to the Minister of Canadian Heritage. Its headquarters are located in Ottawa, with additional preservation facilities in Gatineau and across the country. The institution plays a distinctive regulatory role by setting mandatory information management standards for the Government of Canada, a function that differentiates it from many other national libraries and archives internationally. LAC also leads national collaborative initiatives, such as the Canadian Digital Heritage Strategy, and partners with libraries, archives, and Indigenous communities to preserve and provide access to documentary heritage, including materials related to Indigenous languages and cultures. Its mandate balances the long-term preservation of physical and digital assets with the imperative of broad public accessibility in the digital age.

Incidents

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