I should also add that I am well aware that we cannot and should not 
keep everything; that is not my point. I do think, however, that given 
the significance of the CBC's holdings and the visibility of this 
public-funded institution there is an opportunity here for archival 
associations to educate the public about a host of archival issues such 
as archival value, preservation challenges, media obsolescence, and so on.

Best to all,

Suzanne



On 2018-05-09 9:28 AM, Suzanne Dubeau wrote:
> Dear Colleagues...
>
> A librarian co-worker has asked me where he can find information about 
> where archivists stand with regard to the CBC's current digitization 
> project that includes the destruction of its broadcast original 
> recordings post-digitization. See one story about it here:
>
> https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2018/04/19/cbc-is-destroying-its-broadcast-archives-after-theyre-digitized.html 
>
>
> He said he could not find anything on archival association websites, 
> or social media, speaking about how misguided this is.
>
> I think he raises some good points. This action by such an important 
> Canadian institution certainly undermines any arguments we make as a 
> profession about why it is important to keep originals. Does anyone 
> know if any statements have been made by archival associations in 
> response to this action?  I don't recall seeing anything myself but I 
> may have missed it.
>
> It is interesting that the French-language service intends to retain 
> its master recordings after digitizing the content. We know that the 
> extent of the holdings would be and is a major challenge and I'm sure 
> it's safe to say that the CBC archives is no doubt seriously 
> under-resourced as we all are, but is there no way the archival 
> community can respond either for or against?
>
> Suzanne
>
>

-- 

Suzanne Dubeau, MISt
Assistant Head, Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections
York University, 305 Scott Library, 4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3
Tel:  416.736.5442	Fax:  416.650.8039

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