In response to the British Columbia Archives’s announcement last week that its reference room will remain closed until 2021, the Canadian Historical Association (CHA) sent a letter to Premier John Hogan and Jack Lohman, CEO of the Royal BC Museum, urging them to re-consider the decision.
BC Archives said last Tuesday in a brief news item on its website, “During this time, we are reviewing and modifying our processes to ensure the health and well-being of all who work in and rely upon the archives.”
CHA President Penny Bryden, in her letter to the Premier and the museum CEO, wrote that archival reading rooms, which are used by researchers and students, “offer ample opportunity for physical distancing.”
Meanwhile, on the day BC Archives posted its announcement, the Royal BC Museum, which houses the archival centre, issued a statement to advise it would re-open to visitors on June 19.
The Royal BC Museum temporarily shut its doors to the public on March 17, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers who have visited both museums and archival reference rooms will think it odd that a museum with plenty of galleries, exhibits, and work spaces can introduce social distancing and other safety measures to protect staff, volunteers and visitors, but an archival centre is apparently unable (or unwilling) to implement the same procedures for its reference room.
Ms. Bryden also raised concerns about the impact a delayed opening of the reference room will have on research related to Indigenous issues. “Such a lengthy closure will also delay treaty negotiations and land title litigation pushing back resolutions by a year or more.”
She closed the CHA letter with “To limit research into the past can do nothing other than imperil the future.”
It’s an interesting situation. I think the issue comes with the fact that in the museum, it’s easier for staff to remain socially distanced, but in the Archives, where people may need a reference interview, it’s trickier. You can’t stay six feet apart and have a proper conversation – not only would it disturb others, but there are questions of privacy.
Still, by September, you’d think they could come up with a way to do this – maybe a separate room for the interview?
Just my thoughts, trying to see things from the other side. Our library opens today for takeout service, but has no plans at present to allow patrons into the library space itself.