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The issues raised here by the Canadian National Archivist might be of interest to UK archivists - good Friday reading. Pat From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Braden Cannon Sent: 22 November 2012 21:54 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [Arcan-l] Caron on archival description Daniel Caron had some very eyebrow-raising things to say to the Standing Committee on Official Languages on November 6 that will surely be of interest to archivists. The full transcript of his comments is available here: http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=41&Ses=1&DocId=5827447&File=0 It's worth reading in full, but here are some of the most interesting parts. For instance, he apparently thinks that archival description will no longer be necessary: "In the past, we used to have to manually describe all the materials that were coming in. Under the legal deposit system, for instance, we were responsible for describing all the books. Today, this operation can be directly done digitally. Since the entries are already created by the publishers, we do not need to redo the work. That used to be a lot of work. I cannot tell you exactly how many people were doing that job, but I can certainly tell you that there is no longer a need to do that work. Much of this type of work is becoming increasingly unnecessary. That includes the description of archival materials. Since we now get the materials in digital form, we can automatically search inside those materials." He also thinks that born-digital records should be and will be made available immediately through "direct link:" "We would like everything that is created digitally to be available right away. That is our ultimate objective. So we are trying to shorten the time between when materials are acquired and when Canadians can access those materials. We are working a great deal on that. There will be no wait time. It will be a direct link." Hmmmmmm..... (as always, these are my own thoughts and observations and do not represent my institution) Braden Cannon Private Records Archivist Provincial Archives of Alberta 8555 Roper Road Edmonton, AB T6E 5W1 telephone: (780) 644-1605; fax: (780) 427-4646 This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. The University of Dundee is a registered Scottish Charity, No: SC015096 Contact the list owner for assistance at [log in to unmask] For information about joining, leaving and suspending mail (eg during a holiday) see the list website at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=archives-nra