Vol. 24, no. 2 (printemps/Spring 2014)

Volume 24 no. 2
Spring | Printemps 2014
DOC BULLETIN
2
Editorial CommittEE /
Comité dE rédaCtion :
Pamela Caussy, Adèle Flannery (Layout / Mise en page), Jessica Hébert, Rhiannon Herbert
ExECutivE CommittEE /
Comité ExéCutif 2014:
President / Président : Pierre B. Landry
Treasurer / Trésorier : Felicity Tayler
: Philip Dombowsky
Secretary / Secrétaire : Corina MacDonald
Membership Secretary / Responsable des membres
Professional Development Award / Bourse de perfectionnement
professionnel : Patricia Black - Gisèle Guay - Danielle Léger
Représentante ARLIS/Canada : Jennifer Garland
Biannual / Semi-annuel ISSN 11860-6641
www.arlismoq.ca
©ARLIS/NA MOQ
Canadian Representative /
Nous avons à notre portée des richesses extraordinaires. Voyez
We have amazing treasures close at hand. Consider the Antiquarian
la collection de livres anciens de la Jewish Public Library, décrite
Book Collection of the Jewish Public Library, as described by
par Daniela Ansovini dans son article. Il n’y a pas que la diversité
Daniela Ansovini in her article. It’s striking not only as a sign of
culturelle à noter ici, mais la résilience de l’être humain dont le
cultural diversity, but as an example of the resilience of human
savoir – sous forme de livres – se transmet au fil des siècles, malgré
beings and of our ability to transmit knowledge – in the form of
les grands conflits et grâce au renouvellement des technologies
books – through centuries and wars, thanks to the continuous
mises au service de la pensée. Or le livre peut être bien plus qu’un
renewal of technologies designed to communicate our thoughts
contenant servant à consigner la pensée d’un auteur. Il est objet
and ideas. Yet books are much more than containers for an
de découverte et de plaisir, voire lieu de création. Une véritable
author’s text. Books are also objects meant to be discovered and
forme de création artistique affirmait l’auteur et bibliothécaire
enjoyed, books may even be artworks. A form of artistic creation to
Clive Phillpot lors d’une communication chez Artexte, ce dont
recognize and appreciate, said renowned author and librarian Clive
nous parle Jessica Hébert. Et puisque nous y sommes, pourquoi ne
Phillpot in his address at Artexte, reviewed here by Jessica Hébert.
pas poursuivre la réflexion sur « la chose imprimée » avec Adèle
And, for further thinking about the printed object, Adèle Flannery
Flannery et Gisèle Guay?
and Gisèle Guay’s piece is well worth reading.
Alors que nos institutions nationales traversent une période
Our national institutions are going through rough times – see my
difficile – voir mon compte-rendu du congrès d’ARLIS/NA à
review of the ARLIS/NA Washington Conference – so it’s good to
Washington –, Jessica Stewart nous
have Jessica Steward reminding us of
rappelle la pertinence d’une bibliothèque
the relevance of the National Gallery
comme celle du Musée des beaux-
of Canada Library, and telling us about
arts du Canada et l’importance de son
personnel de référence. Elle souligne le
rôle capital que jouent les professionnels
mot
du PréSidEnt
bibliothécaires. Alors que nous invitons
des personnalités comme Clive Phillpot
pour nou-s transmettre la flamme de leur
She
underscores
played
by
the
experienced
essential
role
professionals
in the transfer of knowledge to a new
d’expérience dans la transmission de
leur savoir à une nouvelle génération de
the importance of the reference staff.
PrESidEnt’S
mESSagE
generation of librarians. On one hand
we invite prominent librarians such as
Clive Phillpot to instill their passion
and brilliant thinking among us. And
yet we remain powerless when our own
génie, faudra-t-il continuer d’accepter
governments push to retirement or even
que nos gouvernements mettent à la
retraite – ou à la porte – du personnel de grande expérience sans
lay off experienced staff without a thought to the loss of knowledge
aucun souci de préparer la relève?
and service...
Innovation et leadership… deux mots souvent prononcés au
Innovation and leadership – I heard these two words many times
congrès de Washington. Pour connaitre la saveur que peuvent
at the Washington Conference. Read Rebecca Young’s piece on the
prendre l’innovation et le leadership dans le contexte d’une
Art + Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon to find out what shape take
bibliothèque académique, je vous recommande l’article de Rebecca
innovation and leadership in a university library! In my experience
Young au sujet de l’Art + Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon. Selon
these two words always call for a third: cooperation. And the only
mon expérience, innovation et leadership se déclinent toujours
way to do it is to get together and discuss ideas. John Richan tells
avec collaboration. D’où l’importance de prendre contact et de
us this is precisely what the McGill School of Information Studies
maintenir ce contact – voir à cet effet le compte-rendu de John
did when they organized the symposiums of the ACA and AMIA.
Richan sur les rencontres de l’ACA et de l’AMIA à McGill. N’est-ce
Isn’t it also the very purpose of our own ARLIS/NA MOQ Chapter?
pas, aussi, la raison d’être d’ARLIS/NA MOQ?
I would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate
J’aimerais féliciter le comité de rédaction, Pamela Caussy, Adèle
our Editorial Committee – Pamela Caussy, Adèle Flannery, Jessica
Flannery, Jessica Hébert et Rhiannon Herbert, pour cet excellent
Hébert and Rhiannon Herbert – for this new and excellent issue of
numéro de MOQDOC. Bonne lecture à tous!
MOQDOC. I hope you enjoy it!
Pierre B. Landry
Directeur général, Action patrimoine
Président, ARLIS/NA MOQ
Pierre B. Landry
Directeur général, Action patrimoine
President, ARLIS/NA MOQ
3
arliS/na moQ
fall 2013 mEEting in montréal
Pamela Caussy, MLIS II
School of Information Studies, McGill University
The ARLIS/NA MOQ chapter held their Fall meeting in Montreal on
Student Award. One of the advantages of becoming an ARLIS/NA MOQ
Friday November 8th, 2013. The McGill University Libraries hosted
member is having the opportunity to apply for the aforementioned
the business meeting in the Canadian Architecture Centre, situated
funding opportunities, the benefits of which encourage ARLIS/
within the McGill Redpath Library building. It was a fitting location
NA collaboration and help offset travel costs incurred through
that reflected the subtle theme of the day, which was to celebrate
conferences and meetings.
the works of the acclaimed architect Percy Nobbs. At the turn of
4
the twentieth century, Nobbs had designed several McGill Campus
Once the business meeting was adjourned, the group strolled down
buildings, including the Redpath Library, the McCord Museum and
to the McCord Museum where they had the pleasure of attending
the Osler Library. During the days’ events, meeting attendees had
presentations by Conservation Technician Mr. Denis Plourde, and
the pleasure of visiting all three heritage sites. The meeting was
Archives and Documentation Technician Ms. Josianne Venne. Mr.
chaired by then chapter President, Jennifer Garland.
Twenty-six
Plourde explained how the effects of corrosive iron mixed with ink
members were in attendance representing all three chapter regions;
put valuable historical works at risk. He provided some examples of
Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec.
damage where the ink marks had evidently eaten through the paper.
In the Archives and Documentation Centre, Ms. Venne provided a
The President Report announced the creation of a special project
rich sampling of treasures from the archives, including Louis Riel’s
in which current outreach practices and marketing materials will
last letter written before being sentenced to death.
be reviewed in order to make recommendations for improving
The ARLIS/NA MOQ chapter has the
Following a delicious lunch at the McCord Café Bistro, the group
honour to be the first in conducting this kind of study, and its
walked back to McGill campus to attend to the last planned activity
proceedings will serve as a pilot project for other ARLIS/NA chapters.
of the day. This took place at the Osler Library of the History of
The Membership Secretary Report was read by Alexandra Gregory,
Medecine, where Sir William Osler’s personal collection of medical
outlining several options to simplify and improve the membership
rare books is kept in an elegant space designed by Percy Nobbs in 1925.
sing-up process. One of the options discussed included creating a
The library has been preserved in its original splendour, transporting
PayPal account where annual memberships may be renewed online,
one back in time with stained glass windows and oak paneling. Here,
as well as allowing for payments to be received prior to the bi-annual
Liaison Librarian Ms. Anna Dysert shared some of the gems of Osler’s
chapter meetings.
collection, including an impressive and beautifully illustrated 13th
membership recruitment.
century manuscript of al-Ghafiqi ,and the mezzotint-printed book
During the Professional Development Committee Report read
Exposition Anatomique de la Structure du Corps Humain by Jacques Fabien
by Patricia Black, members were reminded of the importance of
Gautier d’Agoty (1759).
applying for the three available bursaries; the Michelle Gauthier
Travel Award, the Daphne Dufresne Award, and the Marilyn Berger
an artiStS’ Book rEtroSPECtivE
with ClivE PhillPot
Jessica Hébert, MLIS II
School of Information Studies, McGill University
This past February, I attended a special presentation at Artexte
Towards the end of the presentation, there was a brief discussion
given by librarian, writer and curator, Clive Phillpot. During the
with the audience on the presence of artists’ books in the library,
presentation he discussed his career, in particular his time as director
during which Phillpot stated that these works should not be
of the library at the Museum of Modern art (MoMA) where he began
treated as “precious bibliographic trophies”. This statement
building their artists’ book collection in the late 1970’s. Throughout
concisely portrays Phillpot’s views that these works, in order to
his career, he has worked closely with artists’ books, and is an
be appreciated, should be experienced and shared. Libraries are
advocate for their relevance and importance as an art form. Phillpot
inevitably faced with the challenge of mediating preservation and
seeks to better establish the place of artists’ books in museums and
access, as many artists’ books have become rare and highly valuable
art libraries and in promoting their access to a wider audience.
items. Yet it is important to maintain access as much as possible, as
they are a naturally interactive art form. Their materiality allows the
The presentation provided a retrospective of artists’ books
books to be experienced as a one-on-one encounter and exchange
published from the 1960’s to present, featuring works of particular
between an individual and the artwork.
importance or relevance to Phillpot.
Included was the ground-
breaking work by Edward Ruscha, Twentysix Gasoline Stations (1963),
As someone at the beginning of their career as a librarian, I found
as well as the Daily Mirror Book by Dieter Roth (1961). The talk also
Clive Phillpot’s presentation to be both informative and inspiring.
featured works by Ray Johnson, including a collaboration with
Phillpot demonstrates how librarians can engage with the art
Phillpot entitled Ray Johnson on Flop Art: Fragments from Conversations
world and artist community to build a rich and diverse collection by
with Ray Johnson 1988-1994, (2008).
recognizing the value the artists’ book medium. Many of the ideas
discussed in Phillpot’s presentation are illustrated in greater detail
When discussing or classifying artists’ books, it’s easy to blur the
throughout his writings, and many of these influential texts
lines between literary work and artwork, art documentation and art
can be found in his most recent publication, Booktrek (2013), a
form. Phillpot’s definition of artists’ books is unambiguous, and
collection of essays on artists’ books from the 1970’s to the
he makes clear distinctions between related genres such as ‘livre
present.
d’artiste’ and book objects. He describes artists’ books as artworks
expressed in the medium of the book, where the book format is
intrinsic to the artistic idea expressed. Therefore, the artwork is not
merely being represented in a book; the artwork is the book itself.
(see Phillpot, 1977; Phillpot, 1975; Phillpot & Lauf, 1998).
The books that Phillpot presented (and which he has been involved
with throughout his career) are typically inexpensive works, produced
in large print runs, making them accessible to the everyday audience.
Their production is often similar to the paperback format, and these
works break down the elite barrior of the precious art object, while
still allowing the viewer to experience the artwork firsthand.
rEfErEnCES
Phillpot, C. (1977). Artists’ books and book art. Art Library Manual: A Guide
to Resources & Practice. P. Pacey (Ed.). London & New York : Bowker, p.
355-363. Reprinted in Phillpot, C. (2013). Booktrek: Selected essays on artists’
books from 1972 to present. Bovier, L. (Ed.) New York: JRP|Ringier.
Phillpot C., Lauf, C. (1998). Books by artists and books as art. Artist/
Author contemporary artists books. New York: distributed by Art publishers
& American Federation of Arts, p. 30-55. Reprinted in Phillpot, C. (2013).
Booktrek: Selected essays on artists’ books from 1972 to present. Bovier, L. (Ed.)
New York: JRP|Ringier.
Phillpot C. (1975). Book art: Object and image. Artists’ Bookworks. London:
British Council. Reprinted in Phillpot, C. (2013). Booktrek: Selected essays
on artists’ books from 1972 to present. Bovier, L. (Ed.) New York: JRP|Ringier.
5
Oubliez les froids d’un printemps tardif et maussade… après les pluies
diluviennes du 31 avril et du 1er mai, la ville de Washington accueillait les
délégués canadiens avec un soleil splendide, une chaleur comparable à
nos étés et des fleurs à profusion! Sans compter les richesses historiques
et artistiques disponibles à deux pas du Grand Hyatt où avait lieu notre
congrès!
Table ronde des représenTanTs des
secTions régionales
PrESErving Canadian Cultural
hEritagE
Vendredi midi, le 2 mai, Sarah Sherman animait autour d’un déjeuner/
En après-midi, Jennifer Garland animait la session sur la préservation
sandwich la rencontre des présidents des sections régionales d’ARLIS/NA.
du patrimoine culturel canadien. Ce fut, bien évidemment, l’occasion de
Chaque représentant présentait à tour de rôle les succès rencontrés au cours
retrouvailles parmi les membres de MOQ : Jennifer, bien sûr, mais aussi
de l’année. Remettant en question la pertinence des visites informelles
Jonathan Franklin, Marie-Chantal L’Ecuyer-Coelho, Louise Guy, Alexandra
organisées à l’occasion des réunions biannuelles, certaines section ont
Gregory, Gisèle Guay.
plutôt invité des experts à présenter des communications plus structurées.
Plusieurs sections, dont l’Ontario, se sont montrées très créatives dans
En début de session, Jonathan a tenté d’adopter un ton mesuré pour
leurs activités de levée de fonds. Les petites sections, comme la nôtre,
dresser le portrait des institutions nationales canadiennes sous l’égide
doivent composer avec les grandes distances qui séparent les membres et
d’un gouvernement interventionniste qui cherche à imposer des valeurs
rendent les rencontres difficiles. Plusieurs sections cherchent d’ailleurs
partisanes fondées sur l’histoire et les faits d’armes, dont la guerre de
à modifier leur nom de manière à affirmer leur identité géographique. De
1812, en plus d’imposer des compressions budgétaires et des coupures de
toute évidence, les listserv perdent en popularité, certaines sections leur
postes. Mary Kandiuk, de York University, a ensuite pris la parole pour faire
préférant les médias sociaux, gratuits et faciles d’accès.
le point sur Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, dont le mandat de préserver
le patrimoine historique et culturel de notre pays se trouve mis à mal par les
6
En conclusion, Sarah nous a rappelé que l’un des objectifs d’ARLIS/NA
compressions budgétaires et les politiques de la direction. Elle nous invite
étaient de nous fournir les outils de communications pour faciliter les
à suivre la campagne menée par l’Association canadienne des professeures
contacts non seulement entres membres, mais aussi entre l’organisation
et professeurs d’université à l’adresse www.sauvonsbiblioarchives.ca.
centrale et les sections régionales. Elle souhaite mettre sur pied des
Vous aurez sans doute déjà appris que Guy Berthiaume, présentement PDG
rencontres en ligne aux trois mois pour les présidents des sections ainsi
de Bibliothèque et Archives Nationale du Québec, prendra la direction de
qu’un listserv distinct à l’usage des exécutifs. La rencontre, à n’en pas
Bibliothèque et Archives Canada le 23 juin prochain.
douter, a été une occasion exceptionnelle de prendre le pouls de la situation
de nos collègues un peu partout en Amérique.
Ce fut une session morose. À mon avis, le contexte actuel exige de chacun
de nous une vigilance accrue si nous souhaitons que les organisations
que nous représentons gardent le cap sur leurs missions respectives et
continuent à valoriser le savoir et la préservation de notre patrimoine. Je
souligne cette phrase, gravée sur l’entablement de l’édifice des National
Archives, à deux pas du lieu de notre congrès : « This building holds in trust
the records of our national life and symbolizes our faith in the permanency
of our national institutions. » Faut-il aussi graver dans la pierre notre
vision de nos archives, de nos bibliothèques et de nos musées?
réunion d’arliS/Canada
Samedi après-midi, les participants canadiens se retrouvaient de nouveau,
cette fois à la réunion d’ARLIS/Canada. Daniel Payne nous a livré le compte
rendu des activités de l’année. La nouvelle représentante canadienne est
Sylvia Roberts, de la Simon Fraser University.
SeSSionS marquanteS
Il serait trop long d’exposer ici le détail des différentes sessions auxquelles
présenter l’ensemble des collections. Avec le temps qui me restait, j’ai pu
j’ai assisté. Je me contenterai donc de mentionner les plus marquantes.
me rendre à la Library of Congress où le personnel des diverses sections
Pour un Canadien, Fair Use/Fair Game: Intellectual Property and the Visual
avait préparé pour nous une sélection de trésors dignes de la caverne d’Ali
Arts démontrait clairement l’avantage du «Fair Use», un concept qui
Baba.
contrebalance la protection rigide accordée par la loi sur le droit d’auteur et
qui favorise la créativité. Dans Politics of Change: Digital Humanities, Michele
Tout au long du congrès, les mots innovation et leadership ont été
Greet, de George Mason University, a su jeter un regard neuf, au moyen
prononcés. Pouvons-nous véritablement innover sans la connaissance de
de cartes interactives du type Google Map, sur la réception et la diffusion
nos collègues et de leurs réalisations? J’en doute. Grâce à des rencontres
des artistes d’Amérique latine à Paris dans l’entre-deux-guerres. Dans
comme celles d’ARLIS/NA, nous avons l’opportunité de voir au-delà du
la session intitulée Reinventing the Scholarly Collection Catalogue for
quotidien, de rêver et de penser innovation… Je remercie très sincèrement
the Online Age, Anne Helmreich présentait l’Online Scholarly Catalogue
les membres d’ARLIS/NA MOQ et le Comité des Bourses de perfectionnement
Initiative (OSCI) de la Getty Foundation, un projet qui renouvelle de fond en
professionnel pour m’avoir accordé la bourse de voyage Michelle Gauthier,
comble l’offre des musées sur Internet en permettant (enfin!) la diffusion
sans laquelle je n’aurais pu assister à ce formidable événement.
de contenus savants par des auteurs reconnus et pouvant être cités
selon les normes académiques. Les catalogues de collections présentés
comprenaient Dutch Painting of the Seventeenth Century (National Gallery
of Art), Southeast Asian Art (LACMA) et une partie de la collection Gerhard
Pulverer de la Freer and Sackler Gallery.
PhotograPhies
1. Livres illustrés japonais présentés à la Freer/Sackler Library.
2. Salle réservée aux congressistes d’ARLIS/NA
au Jefferson Building de la Library of Congress.
7
Est-ce le prix du succès? Faute de place suffisante dans les salles, j’ai du me
résoudre à manquer deux sessions auxquelles je m’étais inscrit. N’empêche
que dans l’ensemble, le contenu du congrès s’est avéré très stimulant.
activitéS poSt-congrèS
Les institutions nationales situées à Washington sont d’une richesse
fantastique et les participants au congrès étaient conviés à des activités
plus intéressantes les unes que les autres. Le lundi 5 mai, plusieurs
bibliothèques locales ouvraient leurs portes aux membres
d’ARLIS/NA. J’ai saisi l’occasion pour visiter la bibliothèque
de la Freer/Sackler Library où l’on nous présentait une
sélection de livres illustrés des périodes Edo et
Meiji, par les artistes Hiroshige, Hokusai et
autres.
La bibliothécaire Kathryn
Phillips
entrainé
m’a
vers
ensuite
les
rayons pour me
arliS/na, 42 e CongrèS annuEl
waShington, d.C., du 1 er au 5 mai 2014
Pierre B. Landry
Président, ARLIS/NA MOQ
a roomful of dwEllingS:
thE antiQuarian CollECtion of thE JEwiSh PuBliC liBrary
Daniela Ansovini, Archivist
Jewish Public Library
8
This May Montreal’s Jewish Public Library (JPL) will
How the JPL came to have these books is in itself
as a structure and this physical presence. The
present an exhibit and accompanying catalogue of
a murky narrative. The exact provenance of much
workshops organized around this collection also
its Antiquarian Book Collection. As part of a larger
of this collection is unknown. Some books were
seize on the book’s materiality, as they put them
project to highlight and invite the public to consult
purchased early in the JPL’s hundred-year history
directly in the hands of high-school students and
the collection, the exhibit follows from a series of
by one of its founders, Yehuda Kaufman, on trips
ask them to decipher the experience itself.
workshops, as well as the on-going process of re-
back and forth to Philadelphia. Decades later, a
cataloguing these 1,200 volumes. Many months
number of volumes were donated to the Library
Antiquarian collections such as the JPL’s can
ago I was invited to help create a book of books,
by the widow of a local business owner, Hyman
often seem remote, given the “weight” of
to direct the design and printing of the project’s
Ressler, who himself was a book collector. Most
their content or the physical vulnerability that
exhibition catalogue. In doing so I have become
of the collection however is a somber inheritance:
comes with their uniqueness. However, with the
more familiar with this diverse collection, one
after WWII, the Jewish Cultural Reconstruction
opportunity to interact with the medium itself or
where topics range from works on anatomy, to a
Organization attempted to identify and locate
to think of individual titles as part of an uneasy
treatise on torture, to numerous commentaries,
the owners of books that had been looted by the
whole, additional entry points invite us into the
canonical works, and kabbalistic texts.
national socialists. Many books were reunited with
collection. Accessibility in its most tangible, literal
their owners but those whose owners could not be
sense has offered me a renewed perception of
an
found were stored in the Offenbach Depot. These
these old and enduring books.
Josephus’
so-called ‘orphaned’ books were then distributed
Antiquities of the Jews, which makes it easy to see
to libraries across Europe and North America. The
The exhibit and catalogue A Roomful of Dwellings:
the overall project as a gentle reminder of the long
way in which these texts came together shapes the
The Antiquarian Collection of the Jewish Public Library
lineage of emergent technologies, which at one
collection as a whole and puts them in a sometimes
will launch at the Jewish Public Library the evening
stage was the printed word. As the JPL embraces
unlikely relationships with one another.
of May 14th and run until June 13th. For additional
The
earliest
incunabulum,
book
a
in
1481
the
collection
printing
of
is
information on the collection, workshops or
digital avenues to offer its members, the project
serves a broad vision, one that seeks to build and
As with any rare or antiquarian book collection,
exhibit please contact the Jewish Public Library’s
diversify our literacy as we engage with a range
the individual book is also acknowledged as having
Head of Bibliographic Services, Eddie Paul:
of media, both old and new. I see the project
an intrinsic value as material object beyond the
[email protected].
as a return to the lesson of ‘the medium is the
content it holds, providing readers with another
message’, or part of it at least, and the additional
parallel narrative. In being immersed within the
kinds of knowledge we gain from looking at context
book’s anatomy (and the visceral vocabulary
as a whole, be it through an irreplaceable sensory
that comes with it - binding, gutters, bleeds) I
experience or one-click digital accessibility.
have become all the more sensitive to the book
This project was generously supported by Dr. Michael Paul,
the Jewish Community Foundation, the Weissman and
Winant Endowment and Canadian Heritage.
thE imPortanCE
of CollaBoration:
lESSonS lEarnEd from thE mCgill
aCa and amia ColloQuiumS
John Richan, MLIS II
School of Information Studies, McGill University
The winter semester has been a busy one for archives stream students
Student presentations were delivered on a variety of topics, ranging
at the McGill School of Information Studies. Continuing the positive
from experiences processing archival collections to post-modern
momentum generated at the Canadian Archives Summit held in
theory in archives. Student presenters included Samuel Sfirri, who
Toronto this past January, the McGill Chapter of the Association of
explored issues relating to audio preservation; Linda Pasquale, on
Canadian Archivists (ACA) and newly formed group, the Association
the archiving of ethnic records; Amber Parker, on her experiences
of Moving Image Archivists McGill Student Chapter (AMIA), both
working with the Homestead Records at the Saskatchewan Archives
hosted events at McGill. If there was one theme to be taken from the
Board; Carolyne Ménard, who presented her research on the archival
Archives Summit, it was the need for more collaboration. With the
profession in the postmodern era; Naomi Endicott, who looked at the
theme of collaboration in mind, these two associations spearheaded
role of crowdsourcing in archives; and recent MLIS graduate Rhiannon
these events, bringing together students, faculty and professionals
Herbert, who spoke about her experience with Young Canada Works
to McGill to share ideas.
job placement (most recently with the McGill Remembers project
discussed by Dr. Burr).
The McGill ACA Chapter hosted their Annual Winter Colloquium
event on February 21st, 2014. The Colloquium saw a mix of first and
AMIA held their first symposium on April 8th, which brought
second year archives stream students, McGill faculty, as well as a
together student and professional speakers to the McGill School of
number of professional speakers. The presentation themes ranged
Information Studies. The goal of the symposium was to give students
from post-modernist theory in current archival practice, to the more
a forum to discuss the latest issues affecting the field of moving image
practical experiences encountered by those working in the field.
archives. The symposium featured two professionals from Montreal:
Phil Spurrell, proprietor of Le CineClub Film Society, and David
Professional speakers were invited to Montreal to deliver their
Stevenson, Conservator at the Canadian Centre for Architecture.
presentations. Jeremy Heil, Digital Archivist from the Queen’s
University Archives shared his day-to-day experiences, allowing
Both events were very well attended by the McGill community as
future archivists a sneak-peak at what the job of a Digital Archivist
well as other interested observers. These events successfully built
entails. Another professional, Patti Harper, Department Head for
upon the discussions that emerged at the Archives Summit and
Carleton University Archives and Research Collections, presented
helped foster a sense of collaboration between both groups. Bringing
her on-going thesis research on capturing archival narrative through
students, faculty and professionals together helped to successfully
blog entries in the Canadian archival context. Finally, Gordon Burr,
create a sense of community among McGill University archival
Senior Archivist at the McGill University Archives, presented on the
students. In this regard, the event was highly successful, and is
McGill Remembers project. This project highlights McGill University’s
regarded as a model for future collaborative endeavours.
contribution to the First and Second World Wars.
9
“to furthEr knowlEdgE, undErStanding
thE rolE of rEadEr SErviCES at thE national gallEry
Jessica Stewart, MLIS
Dalhousie University
I recently completed the TD Internship in Art
website’s online feature, linking works in the
the Gallery would also often find their way to
Librarianship offered through the Library and
collection to related materials in the Library and
the Library and ask for additional information
Archives of the National Gallery of Canada (NGC).
1
Archives. This proved to be especially helpful
on particular works within the collection that
This afforded me the wonderful opportunity of
for undergraduate students doing preliminary
intrigued them.
working in Reader Services under Peter Trepanier
research for their essays on works in the Gallery.
and with Annie Arseneault and Michael Saunders,
I assisted in the processing of monographs,
The starting point in the search for information
who were all incredibly helpful, supportive and
paging, and shelving, all of which helped me to
was usually the reference section with its
always willing to share their knowledge and
become more familiar with the collection.
extensive
10
collection
institutional
expertise.
of
directories,
artist
dictionaries,
and
art
society
Responding to the constant stream of in-person
exhibition histories. As general reference has
As one of the frontline staff welcoming visitors
and electronic reference questions was another
moved more towards on-line resources, the
to the Library and introducing them to the
very enriching task. Usually involving a bit
reference collection at the NGC Library is suited
collection, my duties included assessing clients’
of sleuthing, reference work always provided
to its purpose and includes materials on art
research
Library’s
an opportunity to learn more, not only about
conservation practices, art education, prints, art
organization, and demonstrating the effective
the National Gallery’s history and collection,
reproductions, the history of photography, and a
use of the online catalogue and electronic book
including the abundant and diverse resources
wide range of topics relating to art history, with
request system. We also showed users the NGC
maintained by the Library and Archives, but
a special focus on items with Canadian content.
needs,
explaining
the
also about graduate student research projects,
upcoming exhibitions and other art research
Many enquiries from the general public were
centres and cultural heritage institutions in
about
Canada and abroad.
often the only information available on their
lesser-known
Canadian
artists,
and
careers and individual artworks comes from
While the National Gallery of Canada’s Library and
unpublished
Archives is essential to the work of the Gallery’s
invitations
curatorial, conservation, research, and education
clippings, and printed ephemera. These items,
staff, it also serves a diverse clientele including
as well as information sheets filled out by
international and Canadian scholars, gallery
artists themselves or on their behalf, are kept
docents, art collectors and dealers, students,
in documentation files housed in the NGC’s
artists,
Reference
Archives. Though some material from the
enquiries could involve supplying definitions and
files is digitized and available through the
resources for art historical terms, identifying an
online catalogue, the majority of information
artist’s work by referring to his or her catalogue
is accessible only to patrons who can actually
raisonné, supplying auction results or providing
peruse the file; therefore it is often up to the
contact information for other institutions and
Library and Archives staff to act as short-
collections when the scope of the question was
term research assistants for those who cannot
outside the resources of the NGC. Visitors to
physically come to the library.
and
the
general
public.
materials,
and
as
exhibition
announcements,
such
newspaper
and EnJoymEnt of art”:
of Canada liBrary and arChivES
During my internship the Artists in Canada
indispensible service and institutional memory
database
Heritage
provided by long-term staff that have developed
Information Network (CHIN) was down for
and know their collections inside and out. Even
maintenance, forcing us to rely on off-line
with the instruction received during my MLIS
resources.
or
and an extensive knowledge of library catalogues
summarized the entries on specific artists
and databases, there were materials essential for
from Colin S. MacDonald’s A Dictionary of
answering reference questions that I just would
Canadian Artists and referred to the printed
not have found without the help of experienced
version of Artists in Canada: A Union List of
staff.
hosted
by
Canadian
Consequently,
we
scanned
Artists Files, compiled by Cyndie Campbell and
Sylvie Roy, which allowed us to direct clients
The training I received during my internship has
to institutions that have files on the artists
been invaluable, in part because of the example
they were researching. This experience clearly
set by the high level of service provided by the
maintaining
At the behest of Peter, I also read the Library and
staff. Working with the team in Reader Services,
select analog materials even when electronic
Archives Collection Development Policy by Jo Beglo
who are the public face of the National Gallery’s
versions are available.
(1996), which, for me, was an unexpectedly rich
Library and Archives, highlighted the importance
illustrated
the
importance
of
document describing not only the collection in
of ensuring the availability of services that enable
This reaffirmed appreciation for the analog
great detail, but also the history of the collection,
institutions like the National Gallery of Canada
medium informed the central task of my
outlining
the
to fulfill their mandates of fostering public
internship, which was a review of the reference
fundamental role that the Library and Archives
engagement and understanding of national and
collection under the direction of Peter, as
has in the realization of the Gallery’s mandate
international cultural heritage within and beyond
well as Jonathan Franklin, Chief, Library and
under the Museum’s Act (1990). There is also a
their walls.
Archives.
This
process
involved
institutional
objectives,
and
reviewing
section in the Policy entitled The National Gallery
titles for de-selection, removing superseded
Library and Other Libraries which describes the
or out-dated materials, looking for gaps in
interconnectedness of the NGC Library and
the collection, determining if titles could or
Archives with other research centres, indicating
should be replaced by electronic versions, and
how these institutions take into consideration
cataloguing reassessed materials under the
related collections as they develop.
guidance of Kathleen O’Reilly. Before beginning
this challenging task, I performed a literature
Very much like an ecosystem, where if one
review of articles on best practices for weeding
flourishes it is to the benefit of all, and if one is
reference collections and familiarized myself
diminished, all feel the effects; cutbacks within
with the Reference Collection Weeding Policy,
library and cultural heritage communities have
which is tailored specifically to the NGC Library,
a wide ranging negative impact, affecting the
and emphasizes the relevancy of reference
quality of service they are able to provide to the
materials in relation to the overall collection.
public. This is especially true of the loss of the
rEfErEnCES
1. The quotation used in the title of my article comes
from part 1, section 5 of the Museum’s Act, S.C. 1990,
c. 3: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/M-13.4.pdf
11
12
La journée du 24 janvier a débuté avec une
Le collectif Hôtel Jolicoeur a raconté la petite
Champagne.
Très récent, en effet, car seul le
présentation des fondateurs du Studio Feed,
histoire qui a mené à la publication de l’ouvrage
numéro 0 a paru à ce jour. Physiquement, il se
Raphaël Daudelin et Anouk Pennel.
Ils aiment
du même nom. Cette aventure se décline sous
distingue par une plateforme web, des capsules
les livres et ceux-ci leur sont une source
le mot « auto » : auto-financement, auto-
vidéo et… un magazine imprimé.
d’inspiration. La preuve, ces questions qui ont
publication et auto-promotion.
En résumé :
éditoriale incite au dialogue ; les conversations
alimenté leurs réflexions. De combien d’espace
auto-touttt ! Le livre est un recueil de textes et
sont compilées sur la plateforme web pour ensuite
un livre a-t-il besoin pour vivre ? Un livre qui
d’images inspirés de l’ancien hôtel du même
être imprimées dans un magazine tangible, bref
existe seulement dans notre tête est-il un livre
nom, jadis un célèbre bordel et voisin de l’actuel
un objet que l’on peut tenir entre les mains.
? Des pages blanches reliées ensemble forment-
Lion d’or, rue Ontario Est.
Sa ligne
Ont également participé à cette rencontre Daniel
elles un livre ? Les livres sont-ils faits de d’autres
livres ? Où s’arrête une bibliothèque ? Raphaël
Ce projet rejoint directement les intérêts de
Canty, écrivain, commissaire et collaborateur
Daudelin collectionne les livres ayant des pages
Catherine Métayer, une récente diplômée en
occasionnel avec le Studio Feed, Sarah Watson,
blanches, où on trouve des fantômes ou des
édition de la University of the Arts London.
directrice d’Artexte et le Studio Feed.
dédicaces.
Il voit la page blanche comme une
Son mémoire porte sur How a renewed ethos of
pause, un silence, un marqueur de temps, un
craftsmanship is inspiring a wave of creative businesses
Je déplore que la prise de parole de chaque
repos pour les yeux. Comment ne pas être inspiré
within
(http://
intervenant ait pris le dessus sur la discussion.
par de tels propos ? Comment ne pas être touché
cargocollective.com/catherinemetayercv/filter/
La raison d’être d’une table ronde est d’engager
par cette vision toute personnelle et inhabituelle
MA-Thesis/The-New-Craftsmen). La présence
des débats, mais faute de temps ceux-ci ont
de l’univers livresque ?
du créateur transparaît dans la publication de
été relégués au second plan. Pour pallier à ce
telles
ces imprimés indépendants. « La culture de
désagrément, la consultation du site web (http://
questions ? Pour ma part, ce n’est certainement
l’artisanat » (cf. Richard Sennett) retrouve
lachoseimprimee.com/) peut faire place, à sa
pas au cours de ma MLIS…
ses lettres de noblesse et nourrit une nouvelle
manière, à un autre type de discussion.
bibliothèque,
s’est-on
Nous, personnel de
déjà
posé
de
independent
print
publishing
génération de créateurs de livres et de revues.
La matinée s’est poursuivie par une table ronde
qui a tourné autour de l’éducation, de la recherche
That new design smell (http://thatnewdesignsmell.
et de la création.
net/all-about-page/), un tout nouveau magazine
dans le domaine du design, est publié par Michèle
la ChoSE imPriméE
Adèle Flannery, Bibliothécaire et Gisèle Guay, Bibliothécaire
Bibliothèque des arts, UQAM
Complémentaire au bilan de la journée de
facilement se perdre et être frustré. Ou alors,
étant « un mélange ludique de formes et de
réflexion, le site web est à la fois un journal de
on se laisse aller dans les méandres de cette
couleurs générées par les mathématiques3. » Le
bord et une carte de chasse aux trésors, faisant
structure ; cette « image de la pensée » n’est
livre est aussi présenté sous un format d’affiches
de lui une œuvre difficile à résumer. On écrit
pas linéaire, mais va dans tous les sens, s’arrête
sérigraphiées. Le tout dernier projet imprimé,
rarement sur les projets web. Mais pourquoi pas ?
et reprend. Pourquoi est-on encore déstabilisé
nommé Résidus visuels, est bien résumé sur le
Surtout lorsque le projet reflète les rapports entre
lorsque, dans une expérience numérique, le
site. « Partant d’une réflexion approfondie sur
l’imprimé, le numérique et le livre… Au fait, ce
contrôle nous revient ? Design and the Elastic Mind
la tactilité et les matériaux, l’équipe de La chose
projet serait-il lui-même une chose imprimée
proposait, aux dires d’un critique , de créer une
imprimée a conçu un livre sans encre qui propose
? Voici quatre idées pour susciter votre intérêt à
barrière avec laquelle il faut lutter afin de gagner.
une expérience de lecture croisée entre voyants et
consulter cette trace numérique.
La conception web de La chose imprimée y fait
non-voyants4. » Le livre a remporté la 2e place
écho.
dans la section « Édition à tirage limité » au
2
L’interface – De prime abord, l’interface est
concours canadien « Awards for Excellence in
inattendue. Elle provoque des questionnements
Le contenu – Riche et profond, on y rassemble
Book Design in Canada. » Celui-ci prendra sa
et se réjouit de ne pas donner toutes les réponses.
les points de vue d’une diversité d’étudiants,
place parmi les plus beaux livres du monde à la
Elle attire l’attention sur elle. Ses lignes grises
de professeurs et de spécialistes. On y explore
foire du livre de Francfort et à celle de Leipzig en
mettent de l’avant ses concepteurs de manière
différents sujets, tels que l’évolution de la
2014.
inhabituelle. C’est le processus qui prime,
typographie, la lecture en braille, la neuroscience
reflétant justement ce que le projet documente.
en rapport avec la lecture, les techniques
Même si la journée de réflexion est derrière nous,
d’impression et de reliure, la création d’une police
cette trace numérique mérite d’être revisitée
L’expérience – Déstabilisante par moments, il
modulaire et la couleur. Cet impressionnant
à maintes reprises, car elle est une réflexion
faut renoncer à vos attentes et l’expérience vous
projet documente les multiples facettes de la
continue en soi.
emballera. À quand remonte la dernière fois
chose imprimée.
qu’un site web ait provoqué une telle réaction
en vous ? Sa structure rappelle celle du site web
Les livres – Tout en respectant le concept de
de l’exposition Design and the Elastic Mind1, qui
multiplicité dans la philosophie du rhizome, ce
a eu lieu en 2008 au MoMA. Les deux explorent
projet de recherche produit des livres imprimés
le même concept philosophique du rhizome,
d’une qualité spectaculaire. Colorimétrie, conçu
développé par Gilles Deleuze et Félix Guattari.
par le designer graphique Nicholas Ménard dans
Avec ses multiples points d’accès, on peut
la première phase du projet, est décrit comme
BiBliograPhiE
1. http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2008/
elasticmind/
2. Moroz, Brian. “Archinect Reviews: Design and the
Elastic Mind.” Accédé le 30 mai, 2014. http://www.
archinect.com/features/article/75138/archinect-reviewsdesign-and-the-elastic-mind
3. “La Chose Imprimée.” La Chose Imprimée. Accédé le
30 mai, 2014. http://lachoseimprimee.com/journal.
4. Ibid.
13
nSCad univErSity liBrary
I first heard of the Art + Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon (http://
From the beginning, there was a lot of support from my colleagues at
artandfeminism.tumblr.com/) event via the ARLIS-listserv, and
NSCAD. I contacted the Director of NSCAD’s Anna Leonowens Gallery,
thought it would be terrific for the NSCAD University Library to act as
Eleanor King to co-host with me, and we brought Dr. Jayne Wark’s
a satellite location. The Edit-a-thon (also called an “edit-sprint”) was
Feminism and Postmodernism class on board. Dr. Wark created an
held on February 1, 2014, and we had about a dozen or so participants
assignment based on the event, and her students worked in pairs
throughout the day, including students, faculty, and some special
to create biographies of artists who had not yet been written about
guests. Most of us were complete amateurs, and had to start from
on Wikipedia. The list included artists who all have a connection to
scratch, with the help of Wikipedia’s very clear and concise training
NSCAD or the Nova Scotia region: Susan McEachern (Photographer),
modules.
Kim Morgan (Sculpture / Installation Artist), Ursula Johnson
(Sculpture / Performance Artist), Sylvia Hamilton (Filmmaker), and
The Edit-a-thon originated from the apparent gender gap inherent in
Toshiko MacAdam (Textiles). Most of the articles created have been
Wikipedia’s content and creation. In 2011, the Wikipedia foundation
published and are now live on Wikipedia, although some articles still
published its first Editor’s Survey, which reported that 91% of its
require additional editing before being published.
contributing editors are male.1 With an editor base that is so strongly
14
skewed to one gender, it seems inevitable that certain topics, articles
The participants had a great time; it was a positive event that made
and biographies follow suit. The idea for the event was envisioned
use of the Library’s print and online reference resources, and we
by Siân Evans of the ARLIS’ Women and Art Special Interest Group,
received a fantastic amount of attention from the local media. Library
and Jacqueline Mabey of the Eyebeam Art and Technology Center in
staff members were on hand to help out, we had a very well stocked
Manhattan. Art is just one of the many subjects in Wikipedia that
refreshment table, and an active Facebook event page to post photos
under-represents the role of women, and this particular event was
and follow updates from other events. The Edit-a-thon allowed us
created as a way to remedy this deficiency.
A similar event, Ada
to raise issues pertaining to art, gender equality, and information
Lovelace Day was held at Brown University in 2013 as a way to increase
literacy. Additionally, we had a lot of discussion about the nature of
the representation of women’s contribution to science.
Wikipedia and how it is viewed as a frequently used but contentious
arliS/na moQ
ProfESSional dEvEloPmEnt awardS
2014
The MOQDOC editorial committee would like to extend our congratulations to the winners of the 2014 ARLIS/NA MOQ professional
development awards:
miChEllE gauthiEr travEl award:
Pierre B. Landry,
directeur général
d’Action
patrimoine
current president of ARLIS/NA MOQ.
daPhnE dufrESnE mEmBErShiP award:
David Sume,
and
librarian and active contributor to ARLIS/MOQ through
his involvement in several projects and committees.
art + fEminiSm wikiPEdia Edit-a-thon
Rebecca Young, Director of Library Services
NSCAD University
reference source. By calling attention to how articles are written and
edited for a community based source like Wikipedia, allowed students to
compare how other authoritative reference sources are produced. There
was a constructive feeling of shared effort, knowing that we were only one
of many satellite locations on that date across North America
and Europe. The other Canadian event hosts were ACAD in
Calgary, the Klondike Institute of Arts and Culture in Dawson
City, Eastern Bloc artist-run centre in Montréal, and Art
Metropole in Toronto. We will continue to participate in this
ongoing project, and continue to encourage similar activities
and events in the Library.
1. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/
Editor_Survey_Report_-_April_2011.pdf
15
arliS/na moQ
BourSES dE PErfECtionnEmEnt ProfESSionnEl
2014
Le comité de rédaction MOQDOC tient à féliciter les lauréats des bourses de perfectionnement professionnel d’ARLIS/NA MOQ 2014 :
la BourSE dE voyagE miChEllE gauthiEr:
la BourSE d’adhéSion daPhnE dufrESnE:
Pierre B. Landry,
David Sume,
directeur général d’Action patrimoine et actuel président
bibliothécaire et membre impliqué dans plusieurs projets
d’ARLIS/NA MOQ
et comités dans le cadre d’ARLIS/NA MOQ.
SPECial liBrariES aSSoCiation annual ConfErEnCE
ifla gEnEral ConfErEnCE and aSSEmBly
Vancouver, British Columbia
August 16 – 22, 2014
June 8 – 10, 2014
Lyon, France
sla.org/attend/2014-annual-conference/
conference.ifla.org/ifla80
aSSoCiation of Canadian arChiviStS 39th annual
SoCiété dES muSéES du QuéBEC, CongrèS Et ColloQuE
ConferenCe
30 septembre au 2 octobre 2014
June 26 – 28, 2014
Sherbrooke, Québec
Victoria, British Columbia,
smq.qc.ca/publicsspec/smq/activites/congres/index.php
archivists.ca/content/annual-conference
aSSoCiation of moving imagE arChiviStS annual
amEriCan liBrary aSSoCiation annual ConfErEnCE
ConfErEnCE
& ExhiBition
October 8 – 11, 2014
June 26 – July 1, 2014
Savannah, Georgia
Las Vegas, Nevada
amiaconference.com/
ala14.ala.org/
aSSoCiation
for
information
SoCiEty of amEriCan arChiviStS annual mEEting
tEChnology 77th annual mEEting
Washington, DC
October 31– November 4, 2014
August 10 – 16, 2014
Seattle, Washington
archivists.org/conference
asis.org/asist2014/
JUNE /JUIN
1
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and

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