Atlantic Provinces Library Association 2021 Conference

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) established service points in the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in June 2017 and at the Central Branch of Vancouver Public Library (VPL) in November 2017. In addition to providing reference services for LAC’s entire archival and published holdings, these regional service points are also responsible for a variety of outreach and public programming initiatives, many in collaboration with other organizations in the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) sector. 
 
This presentation will include some introductory information about LAC and its holdings (published and archival) as well as LAC’s Halifax service point. The core of the presentation will focus on public programming activities undertaken with partner institutions (archives, museums, and libraries) to promote knowledge of LAC services and LAC holdings, reach new audiences, and to build stronger connections with local communities. Examples will be drawn from both LAC’s Halifax and Vancouver offices and will include, among others, developing workshops on LAC’s digitized First World War records and Indigenous Genealogy as well as a collaborative project for Halifax’s Nocturne: Art at Night festival. A look at some of the public programming challenges and lessons learned along the way will conclude the presentation.