The Archives of Ontario (in French: Archives publiques de l'Ontario) is the provincial archives for the province of Ontario, Canada. The Archives collects, preserves and makes available the records of the Government of Ontario, as well the records of private citizens and groups, and promotes and facilitates their use for present and future generations. It is the largest provincial archives and the second largest archives in Canada after Library and Archives Canada. The Archives of Ontario is part of the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services where it is known as the Information, Privacy & Archives (IPA) division.
History edit
The Bureau of Archives, as it was originally known, was first located at the Ontario Legislature. The Archives moved to the Sigmund Samuel Canadiana Building on the University of Toronto campus in 1951, at which time it was known as the Department of Archives. Relocated to 77 Grenville Street in 1972 its name was also changed to the Archives of Ontario. The reading room at the Grenville building closed on March 26, 2009.
Facility edit
In 2009, the Archives moved to its present location at 134 Ian Macdonald Boulevard on York University’s Keele Campus. This purpose-built facility occupies four floors and approximately 125,000 square feet - 20,000 square feet larger than the downtown Toronto location. The building meets the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Silver certification and also houses York University’s Kaneff Tower.
The Reading Room in the Archives’ new facility contains indexes, tables for viewing large records, reference computers, and exhibit display cases. It also houses approximately 50,000 reels of self-serve microfilm and approximately 50 state-of-the-art digital microfilm and microfiche readers.
The Archives of Ontario’s facility also includes the Helen McClung Exhibit Area, a dedicated exhibit room and is free to the public during the Archives’ business hours; the Preservation Services lab; storage vaults and a specially designed classroom for educational programming.
Collections edit
Records in the Archives’ collections date back to the 16th century and include everything from hand-written ledgers to electronic files, maps, architectural drawings, photographs, films and sound recordings.
In addition to the records of the Ontario government, the Archives also acquires records of private individuals and organizations that reflect Ontario's history. Notable private records include Eaton's fonds, Conn Smythe fonds and Moriyama and Teshima Architects Ltd. fonds. The Archives also houses and manages the Government of Ontario Art collection.
Services edit
Services to the Public
The Archives of Ontario offers the following research services to the public: frontline service and respond to reference inquiries both in person and from a distance. Retrieval services to ensure that records requested by customers are available for viewing in the Reading Room. Most of the Archives’ records are located in off-site storage, and only the most frequently requested records are located in their facility, so customers are encouraged to request material in advance of visiting the Archives. Reproduction of items in the collection for research, private study or legal purposes. Microfilm Interloan service. Online Access to the descriptions of the Archives` holdings, the online Library Catalogue, collection of digitized images,Online resource and lesson plans for Grades 3-12, and online access to the Arts collection. Public tours of the Archives’ facility for groups of 5 to 45 people. A Speakers Bureau program in which Archives staff go and speak to interested organizations and groups.
Services to the Government
According to the Archives and Recordkeeping Act, 2006, “the objects of the Archives of Ontario are: (a) to preserve records of archival value; (b) to provide access to the public to records in the custody or control of the Archives of Ontario; (c) to promote good recordkeeping by public bodies to facilitate the preservation of records of archival value; (d) to assist historical research and encourage archival activities in Ontario.”
The Archives provides tools, guides and training materials related to government recordkeeping practices for Ontario ministries and agencies, and manages the tracking of over 14,000 retention schedules, which are available online to employees of the Ontario Government.
Chief Privacy Officer and Archivist of Ontario edit
The Chief Privacy Officer and Archivist of Ontario is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council and administers the Archives of Ontario. The following people have held this position:
- 1903-1935: Alexander Fraser (1903-23: Archivist; 1923-35: Archivist (in statute), sometimes informally Provincial Archivist)
- 1935-1939: James J. Talman (Acting Provincial Archivist and Acting Legislative Librarian)
- 1939-1950: Helen A. McClung (1939-44: Acting Provincial Archivist; 1944-50: Provincial Archivist)
- 1950-1963: George W. Spragge (Provincial Archivist)
- 1963-1978: Donald F. McOuat (Archivist of Ontario)
- 1978-1986: William G. Ormsby (Archivist of Ontario)
- 1986-1999: Ian E. Wilson (Archivist of Ontario)
- 1999-2010: Miriam McTiernan (Archivist of Ontario)
- 2010 (August): David Nicholl (Acting Archivist of Ontario)
- 2010-2012: Angela Forest (2010-11: Acting Archivist of Ontario ; 2011-2012: Chief Privacy Officer and Archivist of Ontario )
- 2012-2013: Heather Clarke (Acting Chief Privacy Officer and Archivist of Ontario)
- 2013-2015: James G. Hamilton (Chief Privacy Officer and Archivist of Ontario)
- 2015- : John Roberts (Chief Privacy Officer and Archivist of Ontario)