Professional Decline and Resistance The Case of Library and Archives Canada

• Published in: Radical teacher (Cambridge) Vol. 99; no. 99; pp. 54 - 61
• Main Authors: Oliphant, Tami, McNally, Michael B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brooklyn Center for Critical Education, Inc 22.06.2014; Center for Critical Education of New York; Center for Critical Education of NY; University Library System, University of Pittsburgh
• Subjects: Access to Information; Administrative agencies; Archives; Archives & records; Censorship; Civil service; Conferences (Gatherings); Decision Making; Doctoral Degrees; Ethics; Federal Government; Freedom; Government Employees; Government Libraries; Guidelines; Information professionals; Leadership; Librarians; Libraries; Library Personnel; Library Services; Management reviews; Neoliberalism; Powers and duties; Professional Identity; Professions; Reference Services; Science; Studies; Canada
• ISSN: 0191-4847; 1941-0832; 1941-0832
• DOI: 10.5195/rt.2014.105

In 2004, Canada was the first country in the world to amalgamate its two main documentary heritage institutions, the National Archives of Canada (established in 1872) and the National Library of Canada (established in 1953) into one "modernized" institution: Library and Archives Canada (LAC). The "modernization" policy has commercialized and reduced services, collections, and collaboration while simultaneously deprofessionalizing and casualizing the work of professionals. Resistance to modernization has come from many stakeholders across Canada but the responses by the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) and the Canadian Library Association (CLA) are particularly salient. Both are national organizations concerned with access to information and Canada’s documentary heritage. The case of LAC demonstrates how a neoliberal remaking of one prominent, national institution can weaken entire professions.