I am very pleased to announce the establishment of a new University
Archives at the University of Western Ontario in London.  For the first
time in its 123 year history, Western will have a program specifically
devoted to the effective management of its official records and the
preservation of those deemed to be of archival value.  Although local
and regional history materials have been collected and made available
for many years under the auspices of the J. J. Talman Regional
Collection, located in the D. B. Weldon Library, Western had never had
an equivalent service or facility to care for its own official records.

The new University Archives will ensure the preservation of Western's
corporate memory by providing the full range of records management
services to all academic and administrative units, working with staff of
these units to identify and acquire records of archival value, and then
arranging, describing and making these records available for research.
The University Archives is also expected to play an important role in
administering Western's Guidelines on Access to Information and
Protection of Privacy.

Over the next several months steps will be taken to establish a firm
foundation for the new program.  Planned activities include developing
various policies and procedures, beginning to implement retention and
disposal schedules, conducting records management pilot projects in
representative offices, hiring additional staff, renovating part of an
existing building to provide a temporary home, and developing plans for
a new University Archives facility.

As a result of the efforts and perseverance of a group of dedicated
individuals who planned and lobbied for an archives for many years,
Western has finally – and fully – embraced the concept of having a
comprehensive records management and archives program.  For further
information about the new University Archives at Western, please contact
the undersigned.

--

Robin Keirstead
University Archivist
The University of Western Ontario
London Ontario N6A 3K7

Tel:  (519) 661-2111 x87289
Fax:  (519) 661-3503
Mail:  [log in to unmask]