Call for Proposals ACA 2012: In Search of Archival Gold Whitehorse, Yukon 7 - 9 June 2012

Gold is undoubtedly a valuable and precious commodity, and has been for centuries.  People have travelled around the globe in the hope of finding it, just as they did in the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. This influx of people had a profound impact on the indigenous First Nations and on the development of the Yukon Territory.

Within Canadian archives is another form of gold, one that is in many cases “priceless” simply because it is unique and irreplaceable:  archival records.  These archival records are the foundation of Canada’s rich and vibrant documentary heritage, much of which is gathered and protected by dedicated and enthusiastic archivists eager to fulfill their key role in determining society’s collective memory.

Over the past several years, we have examined archival theory and core functions, our community and its relationship to other heritage and user communities, the impact of an increasingly digital world, and the uses of archives. 

Now it’s time for us to celebrate and highlight that “archival gold,” and to discuss the opportunities, issues and challenges that these records present, in the same year that the Yukon Archives in Whitehorse is celebrating its fortieth anniversary.  Traditional textual manuscripts, government records, photographs, sound and moving images, maps, electronic records, artwork, architectural plans– all of these things are our treasures.  As Dominion Archivist Arthur G. Doughty famously said,

Of all national assets archives are the most precious; they are the gift of one generation to another and the extent of our care of them marks the extent of our civilization.

The 2012 ACA Program Committee invites proposals from all areas of archival theory and practice that focus on records in any and all media.  Topics might include:

·      Examinations/highlights of archival fonds/collections (e.g., “studies in documents”);

·      Eureka! moments in archival history and their impact on current practices;

·      What exactly is archival gold? (e.g., cultural definitions, societal priorities, community perspectives, including First Nations);

·      Where and what is the gold in the digital age? (e.g., social media, collaborative workspaces, cloud computing);

·      How do archivists know something is “gold” and what do they do when it turns out to be “fools gold”? (e.g., appraisal, reappraisal);

·      How do we share our hidden gold with others? (e.g., dissemination, use, accessibility);

·      Do we search for and preserve archival gold on our own, or do we work with partners, or both? (e.g., relationships with creators, users, other professionals and communities).

SUBMITTING PROPOSALS:

The 2012 Conference Program Committee invites contributions, of either a practical and/or theoretical nature, in a variety of formats including:

1. Traditional session: formal presentation of papers; approximately 20 minutes per speaker, with questions to follow as time allows.

2. Panel discussion: abbreviated presentation of papers; approximately 10-15 minutes per speaker, with discussion to follow.

3. Roundtable: brief 5-7 minute presentations with open discussion

4. Focused Debate on a specific topic: brief presentations with open discussion & debate to follow

5. Poster session: information is summarized using texts and images, presented in a poster format

Use the “Call for Submission” button on the ACA website at http://www.archivists.ca/.  Submitting your session proposal in electronic form using this link is strongly encouraged.

The deadline for these proposals is: Friday, September 23^rd, 2011

For 2012, ACA will use the “Call for Submission” button for any workshop proposals that will be associated with the Annual Conference; these submissions will go to the Professional Learning Committee, which will make its decisions in mid October 2011. 

Workshop is defined as a full 1-day or 2-day event, generally combining presentations, group discussions and hands-on activities for a group of about 25 – 30 participants.  Workshops can cover any topic/subject, and may not be related directly to the conference theme.

Note: Please be advised there will be a Call for Student Papers as well as a Call for Posters later this year, with submission deadlines early in 2012.

Please feel free to direct questions to:

Catherine Bailey
Chair, ACA 2012 Conference Program
c/o Library and Archives Canada
550 blvd de la Cité
Gatineau, QC K1A 0N4
Telephone:  819-934-7332
Fax: 819-934-6800
catherine.bailey@lac-bac.gc.ca
archivists.ca/content/annual-conference