CCI Newsletter, No. 23, June 1999

Message from the Director General

In recent years CCI has been moving in new directions, and one of the most positive outcomes of this is the opportunity to blend the experience and skills of conservators and scientists as we undertake multidisciplinary projects. Both specialties bring their particular focus to a task, and the combination of viewpoints ensures that the needs and concerns of everyone involved can be fully addressed. Recent examples of this successful collaboration include the treatment of the royal charter of the Hudson's Bay Company and the ongoing work for the restoration of Canada's Parliament Buildings, one project of which is detailed on p. 4 of this issue.

But even in this climate of change, the creation of knowledge remains the foundation of our mandate.

It is often assumed that research is the principal source of new knowledge, but there are many ways to learn. While it is certainly true that research at CCI does generate new knowledge, it is equally true that knowledge can be a result and a byproduct of the treatment of objects. Our selection criteria for treatment projects are intended to ensure, as much as possible, that the work we undertake will in fact lead to new information, e.g. new techniques and processes for conservation, or an increased understanding of materials and their interaction within the environment.

Knowledge generation is most useful when the information addresses real-world concerns in a practical manner and is accessible. We are, therefore, increasing the emphasis placed on the delivery of our knowledge, examining not only the enhanced use of traditional methods of publishing but also new techniques afforded by electronic publishing. To this end, the CCI Web site is being completely redesigned to be a more effective communications tool (see p. 6 for more details). Our training and education program is also being upgraded to include more educational activities for interns and more cooperation with the academic world.

At CCI we are strongly committed to working with you, the conservation and heritage community, to ensure that our work addresses your needs. A consultative process is in place to provide direction for our research program, and this year we will be publishing a research summary and inviting comments from the interested community. Feedback is essential. I invite your thoughts as to how we can best orient our quest for knowledge and make it available. Your suggestions with respect to this fundamental aspect of CCI's function will be given full consideration.

Bill Peters
Director General and
Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Conservation Institute
tel.: (613) 998-3721
e-mail: bill_peters@pch.gc.ca