As a former archivist with Library and Archives Canada, I am saddened - but not surprised - with the news that it's cutting its popular First World War educational program (First World War Workshops Soon To Be History - Feb. 25). Budget woes - Library and Archives Canada, shamefully, has never been adequately funded by the federal government - no doubt played a role in this decision. But that's probably not the only reason.
For years, customer service to the public has been under attack at LAC from those who advocate "records management" rather than true interaction with LAC's public clients. Service hours have been cut, and I can attest, having visited almost 150 archives on three continents, that LAC's service to the public is among the very worst I have seen.
The claim that clients will be able to consult digitized records, instead, is a red herring. Digitization is expensive and time-consuming, and the vast majority of textual records held by LAC will never be digitized - there is simply too much paper.
That LAC would cut a successful program designed to teach kids about our national history tells me two things: Management has learned no lessons from past mistakes, and LAC badly needs lessons in good public-relations strategies. I shall not hold my breath.
associate professor of history, University of Ottawa