Marginal note:Application

3. This Act binds Her Majesty in right of Canada.

Marginal note:Establishment

4. There is hereby established a branch of the federal public administration to be known as the Library and Archives of Canada presided over by the Minister and under the direction of the Librarian and Archivist.

Marginal note:Appointment of Librarian and Archivist

• 5. (1) The Governor in Council shall appoint an officer, to be called the Librarian and Archivist of Canada, to hold office during pleasure and to have the rank and powers of a deputy head of a department.

• Marginal note:Acting Librarian and Archivist

  (2) If the Librarian and Archivist is absent or incapacitated or if the office of Librarian and Archivist is vacant, the Minister may appoint a person to act as Librarian and Archivist, but the term of such an appointment shall not exceed six months except with the approval of the Governor in Council.

Marginal note:Establishment of Advisory Council

6. The Minister may establish an Advisory Council to advise the Librarian and Archivist with regard to making the documentary heritage known to Canadians and to anyone with an interest in Canada and facilitating access to it.

Marginal note:Objects

7. The objects of the Library and Archives of Canada are

• (a) to acquire and preserve the documentary heritage;

• (b) to make that heritage known to Canadians and to anyone with an interest in Canada and to facilitate access to it;

• (c) to be the permanent repository of publications of the Government of Canada and of government and ministerial records that are of historical or archival value;

• (d) to facilitate the management of information by government institutions;

• (e) to coordinate the library services of government institutions; and

• (f) to support the development of the library and archival communities.

Marginal note:Powers of Librarian and Archivist

• 8. (1) The Librarian and Archivist may do anything that is conducive to the attainment of the objects of the Library and Archives of Canada, including

  • (a) acquire publications and records or obtain the care, custody or control of them;

  • (b) take measures to catalogue, classify, identify, preserve and restore publications and records;

  • (c) compile and maintain information resources such as a national bibliography and a national union catalogue;

  • (d) provide information, consultation, research or lending services, as well as any other services for the purpose of facilitating access to the documentary heritage;

  • (e) establish programs and encourage or organize any activities, including exhibitions, publications and performances, to make known and interpret the documentary heritage;

  • (f) enter into agreements with other libraries, archives or institutions in and outside Canada;

  • (g) advise government institutions concerning the management of information produced or used by them and provide services for that purpose;

  • (h) provide leadership and direction for library services of government institutions;

  • (i) provide professional, technical and financial support to those involved in the preservation and promotion of the documentary heritage and in providing access to it; and

  • (j) carry out such other functions as the Governor in Council may specify.

• Marginal note:Sampling from Internet

  (2) In exercising the powers referred to in paragraph (1)(a) and for the purpose of preservation, the Librarian and Archivist may take, at the times and in the manner that he or she considers appropriate, a representative sample of the documentary material of interest to Canada that is accessible to the public without restriction through the Internet or any similar medium.