Fellow Archivists…

It is good to see that colleagues are indeed thinking about the considerations
involved in moving the AAO Office.  I would like to put forward another idea
and another consideration.  What are the possibilities of having the AAO Office
combine space with a sister heritage/cultural group such as OGS or OHS?   I know
this has been considered in the past but has it been done recently?

A significant advantage in my mind is that it would reduce the likelihood of
problems that might arise when an advocacy association such as the AAO might
feel constrained in its autonomy by virtue of being beholden to an archival
institution that could conceivably have different priorities or sensibilities,
or the archival institution itself be placed in an awkward situation by its own
sponsor.

Regards,
Suzanne Dubeau


Quoting "Brian Masschaele (archivist)" <[log in to unmask]>:

> Hello all, thanks to Jeremy and Sharon for encouraging member feedback on
> this important issue for AAO members in advance of the AGM.  I too am
> wondering if there is an institutionally based solution to the AAO's office
> situation in the longer term.  Specifically, I am wondering whether a
> potential partnership could unfold between the AAO and the Archives of
> Ontario (AO).  As we know, the AO is currently in a procurement process for a
> new facility to be located within the City of Toronto.  It is hoped that this
> new facility will open in 2009.  The AO has made considerable strides in its
> outreach efforts recently and this partnership may help bring those efforts
> to another level.  I would urge that a dialogue be established to determine
> if such a partnership is possible as I think this could be a real "win-win"
> for both parties.  I believe that such a partnership already exists between
> the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick and the Council of Archives New
> Brunswick so there is a precedent.
>
> While I am sure there are a whole array of issues that could impede such a
> solution - such as insurance, space allocations and government policies on
> building usage - it never hurts to ask.  If there is the will, then the way
> will follow.
>
> Regards,
>
> Brian Masschaele, Manager of Archives
> Elgin County Archives
> 450 Sunset Drive
> St. Thomas ON N5R 5V1 Canada
> Ph: 519.631.1460 ext. 138 Fax: 519.631.9209
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
> Web:  www.elgin.ca; www.elgin-county.on.ca
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: A forum for discussion for the Archives Assoc. of Ontario on behalf of
> Sharon Larade
> Sent: Thu 13/04/2006 4:15 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: AAO office move - is there an institutional-based solution?
>
>
>
> Readers of Off the Record (Winter 2006) will have seen President Jeremy
> Heil's notice ( pages 4-5) that the upcoming AGM June 7-9 in Hamilton
> includes an opportunity to decide as a community about removing the
> "City of Toronto" limitations from the existing AAO constitution.
>
> This would allow for the possibility of relocating the AAO office away
> from its present location at 258 Adelaide Street East - #301 in downtown
> Toronto to any other location in  the province of Ontario. ( see also
> page 11-12 for the discussion from the 18 Nov 2005 AAO Board meeting).
>
> If you're not planning on attending the AAO's AGM, you might want to
> give thoughtful consideration to how you would vote on this issue and
> prepare a proxy. Jeremy has suggested the AAO list as a possible venue
> for dialogue about this issue. This is particularly important to start
> well in advance of AAO Chapter AGMs where further discussion is encouraged.
>
> Is there an archives - an institutional member - whose repository or
> sponsor ( either in or outside of Toronto) might be willing to host the
> AAO Office?
>
> What are the essential details of the business operation ( required
> square foot  office space, meeting rooms, connectivity, etc) that the
> AAO requires ? This might help us all help AAO find a new home.
>
> Where do you think that AAO office should go in its next generation?
>
> I encourage all AAO members to contribute to this and other related
> questions on our AAO listserv, and thank Jeremy for his detailed invitation.
>
>
> --
> Sharon P. Larade
> Chief Archivist
> United Church of Canada/Victoria University Archives
> 416.585.4562 fax 416.585.4584
> 73 Queen's Park Crescent East , Toronto ON M5S 1K7
> [log in to unmask]
> http://unitedchurcharchives.ca
> www.united-church.ca/archives
> reference inquiries: [log in to unmask]
>
>
>