Directions for Change

Section 2:
What will guide LAC?

2.7 Integrated and holistic approaches

Integrated functions

Silos and fragmented work processes cannot yield the kind of results we are expecting from our new knowledge institution. Fractured approaches will preclude our achievement of seamless access to our information for our clients and of effective stewardship of Canada's documentary heritage. To realize its vision, LAC will consciously adopt approaches that lead to appropriate integration across the functional areas of the new organization.

Holistic approaches to work processes

Library and Archives Canada will adopt an integrated life cycle approach to the development and management of its collection. The life cycle approach is broadly defined to ensure that the collection, regardless of media or format, is managed efficiently and effectively throughout the stages of planning, collecting, organizing, disseminating, protecting and preserving, and evaluation.

In our work processes, our holistic view will be evident in the way we:

• Conceive of our collection and our services from the client's perspective;
• Use a life-cycle approach for the management of the collection;
• Conceive of one collection of Canadian documentary heritage, held at LAC as well as distributed across the country;
• Plan for the total cost of ownership of our collection and new parts of that collection that we acquire;
• Adopt, where feasible, a "one fonds, one archivist" approach instead of fragmenting archival practice by media;
• Adopt common standards and work toward a common business and information architecture;
• Present LAC as one institution with many faces; and
• Organize ourselves to best serve Canadians and maximize our use and impact within Canadian society.

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