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


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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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