In response to speculation that the positions of national librarian and national archivist of Canada may be combined, the Canadian Library Association has expressed its opposition to such a plan in a letter from CLA President Paul Whitney to Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps.
The letter followed a March 12 announcement by the Department of Canadian Heritage that it was launching what it calls a "consultation" on the role of the archives and the library, prior to appointing a new national archivist. Whitney emphasized that the national library must "continue to be directed by a national librarian, preferably a professional librarian."
"We have been in contact with the Association of Canadian Archivists as well as with other library associations, and CLA will be monitoring the situation closely, " Whitney said.
Posted March 30, 1998.