CIDL Activities 2006
A New Identity for CIDL:
Proposal to Create Digital Canada numerique
Setting a New Direction
In the last several years, CIDL embarked upon a period of self-evaluation and outreach discussion to review how to best direct its alliance and its future plans to provide benefit and value to members and communities. CIDL is and has been an active participant in the debate and planning taking place in Canada today to create a made-in-Canada national digital information strategy.
In response to the changing public policy agenda and calls for the development of a national strategy (CIDL Open Meetings 2002 and 2004; Library and Archives Canada Consultations 2004 and 2005; Canadian Association of Research Libraries Fall General Meeting November 2005), CIDL concluded that a fundamental change to transform its role and mission is required.
It is proposed that:
CIDL move to a new identity in 2006 as Digital Canada numérique, and seek partners to continue development of this critical initiative.
The CIDL Steering Committee welcomes comments on the proposed change of name and the draft vision until May 15, 2006. Contact CIDL
Draft vision for Digital Canada numérique
Background
The Canadian Initiative on Digital Libraries (CIDL) was established in 1997 as an alliance of Canadian libraries that recognizes the importance of digital information.
About CIDL
Current Mission and Organization
The Canadian Initiative on Digital Libraries promotes, coordinates and facilitates the development of Canadian digital collections and services to optimize national interoperability and long-term access to Canadian digital library resources.
CIDL is directed by a steering committee. Working groups are formed to address issues identified by the membership. CIDL currently has a membership of 54 Canadian libraries and related non-profit organizations from the academic, public and special sectors. CIDL secretariat operations are supported by Library and Archives Canada.
Achievements to date
CIDL has a number of projects such as development of the online Inventory of Canadian Digital Initiatives, and the submission of the successful grant proposal to the Department of Canadian Heritage to create Our Roots, a Canadian local history website that continues to expand.
CIDL continues to respond to current issues by holding consultations on a variety of topics such as the Electronic Theses Consultation in 2000 and the Canadian Newspapers Online: National Consultation in 2002. CIDL holds Open Meetings to address specific issues and direct the work of the alliance. CIDL Working Groups explore and report on issues surrounding the use of metadata. CIDL sponsors annual learning opportunities, such as workshop bursaries, to assist members with their digitization project work. The CIDL newsletter, CIDL News, reports on members' activities and advances in digitization.
Digital Canada numérique
1. Mission
Digital Canada numérique (DCn) brokers, coordinates, lobbies, facilitates and fosters collaboration and information sharing toward the establishment and continuing development of a national infrastructure to support the creation, preservation and dissemination of digital cultural heritage content of interest to Canadians.
2. Vision
Digital Canada numérique envisions:
a) A collaborative membership alliance of memory organizations that supports a Canadian national digital strategy.
b) A multi-sector partnership initiative representing libraries, archives, museums/galleries, educational institutions, associations, government and industry.
c) A flexible and agile alliance focused on leadership, strategic guidance, innovation and support of key organizational, business and technological aspects of digital content development, dissemination and preservation.
d) A digital network of information services that will inter-operate to enable Canadians across the country access to high quality resources.
3. Assumptions and Principles
The following assumptions have guided deliberations:
a) To maximize its strengths, DCn will need as its core participants from various types of memory institutions and organizations from across the country that are actively engaged in digital content development and delivery.
b) The continued move of memory collections and services into a networked digital environment will continue to impact directly on how institutions are organized, resourced, and perceived.
c) As a leadership alliance for the development and support of digital content, DCn will remain at arm's length and not directly operate or fund digital products.
d) Circumstances affecting digital content development will continue to change, probably dramatically in many ways. DCn will need to be creative and flexible.
Digital Canada numérique is committed to the following principles:
- End user focus for digital content development;
- Mutual benefit and value respecting unique strengths and responsibilities;
- Cross-sectoral collaboration;
- Cost-effective development of digital content;
- Decentralized governance and delivery;
- Open access to digital resources.
4. Objectives
To support a Canadian national digital strategy, Digital Canada numérique aims to:
- Define and implement a strategy of collaboration based on cooperation and coordination;
- Promote a consumer focus through strong relationships with Canadian digital content creators (such as documentary heritage stewards, publishers, technology groups and cultural agencies) and end-users across all sectors;
- Disseminate digital standards and through education encourage best practices for sustainable access, preservation and interoperability;
- Foster access to the national "collection" of Canadian digital content through the development of open source toolkits, metasearch tools and portal access;
- Encourage fair dealing copyright protection that can respond effectively to change in information and communications technology;
- Advocate as a unified voice for the development of Canadian digital content;
- Raise awareness of Canadian digital library activities, both within and outside of Canada.
The CIDL Steering Committee welcomes comments on the proposed change of name and the draft vision until May 15, 2006. Contact CIDL
CIDL Metadata Survey draft report in 2006
The CIDL Metadata Working Group harvested the information from the Metadata Survey 2005 and prepared its draft report on current Canadian practices in metadata standards. The draft report was presented to the CIDL Steering Committee in April, 2006 for consideration.
CIDL initiates review of Inventory of Canadian Digital Initiatives
CIDL will continue to improve its Inventory of Canadian Digital Initiatives as a national registry by investigating the possibilities of enriching the reporting and information harvesting mechanisms. Dalhousie University Library and Library and Archives Canada have partnered to review the work.
CIDL 2006 Workplan
The CIDL Steering Committee met December 1 and 2, 2005 at the University of Calgary, and set the 2006 workplan. Through its workplan, CIDL will continue to represent its membership in advocating for a national digital strategy; and advance the development of its Digital Canada numérique initiative. CIDL Minutes, December 2005.
CIDL Steering Committee 2006-2007
On January 27, 2006 outgoing CIDL Chair Brian Bell welcomed the incoming Steering Committee (2006-2007): Bill Maes (Dalhousie University Library), Johanna Wellheiser (Toronto Public Library), Mary Westell (University of Calgary Library), Magdalene Albert (canadiana.org), Janet Catterall (University of Saskatchewan Library) and Gwen Ebbett (University of Windsor, Leddy Library). Susan Haigh, Senior Policy Officer, will represent Library and Archives Canada. Bell thanked the outgoing members: David McKnight (McGill University) and Chris Petter (University of Victoria) together with the Secretariat for their efforts and support during his tenure as Chair 2004-2005. CIDL Steering Committee
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