National Library of Canada

Consultation on Online Publications

January 31, 2000

Introduction

On January 31, 2000, the National Library of Canada hosted the Consultation on Online Publications, bringing together experts from various sectors of the Canadian publishing community with National Library staff to discuss Canadian online publishing issues. The day's objective was to provide an informal forum for identifying the key issues that the National Library must address when collecting and providing access to online publications, to ensure preservation of this integral part of Canada's published heritage.

Unlike other publishing formats (book, video, CD-ROM), this relatively new format does not fall under the current National Library Act's legal-deposit legislation. This means that publishers are not legally required to submit online publications to the National Library for preservation. Due to the recent proliferation of this volatile format, and despite its short existence, much of this material has already disappeared from public record. In view of the potential gap in the capture of published heritage and the complexity of the electronic publishing environment, the National Library recognizes the need to increase discussion with publishers and creators.

It was not expected that complex issues would be resolved during this initial consultation. The National Library considers it to be the start of a process towards a strategy that meets common objectives.

Consultation documents

• List of participants [PDF 7 KB]


• Summary report [PDF 17 KB]


• "Welcome and introductory remarks", by Ingrid Parent [PDF 12 KB]


• "Canajan-e! : a nation of 10,000,000 publishers : brief musings on the nature and future of electronic publishing in Canada", by Alan H. MacDonald [PDF 35 KB]


• Presentation abstracts [PDF 11 KB]

Background information

• Legal deposit in Canada [PDF 33 KB]
  (Paul McCormick, National Library of Canada, December 14, 1999)


• Management of networked electronic publications : a table of status in various countries [PDF 115 KB]  [RTF 349 KB],  - This file requires 8.5" x 14" paper to print properly]
  (Elizabeth Martin, National Library of Canada, December 31, 1999)


• Positioning the National Library of Canada in the digital environment : strategic directions
  (National Library of Canada, Revised: 1999-10-12)


• Networked electronic publications policy and guidelines
  (Electronic Collections Coordinating Group, National Library Of Canada, October 1998, Revised: 1999-4-22)

Follow-up to the Consultation

The digital world and the ongoing development of ISBN [PDF 27 KB]
(US ISBN Agency, April 2000)
Due to the interest in identifiers for online publications expressed at the January Consultation, we are posting this working paper created by the U.S. ISBN agency. The content therein does not necessarily state or reflect the positions of the National Library of Canada. The paper includes policies on the future development of the ISBN and its usage in the digital world. It appears here as it was issued by, and with the permission of, the U.S. ISBN Agency. The recommendations will be made to the International Advisory Panel of ISBN Agencies in London, England, October 2000. The National Library of Canada has prepared the French translation. Changes to this working paper may occur both before and after presentation to the International Advisory Panel. The National Library of Canada will post revised versions as received from the U.S. ISBN Agency.

Other updates will be posted here as they become available. Please bookmark this page for future reference.

For further information