The merger represents an integrated national strategy aimed at fostering an agile and sustainable research infrastructure for digital heritage content
April 5, 2018, Ottawa, Ontario - The Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN) and Canadiana.org (Canadiana) are pleased to announce a merger of the two organizations, which will now be under the leadership of CRKN. The merged organization began combined operations on April 1, 2018. As a merged organization, CRKN will continue its core licensing activities for scholarly journal content, while expanding support for the digitization, access and preservation of Canadian heritage content through the services of Canadiana.
“This a milestone in our respective organizations’ histories and a significant step in Canada as we move forward together to leverage the opportunities of the emergent global, networked research environment,” says Jonathan Bengtson, President, Canadiana. “This merger will expand and accelerate Canadiana services and programs that ensure the long-term viability of digitized documentary heritage for all Canadians and generations to come,” continued Mr. Bengtson.
“Academic libraries in Canada have a long history of working together to the benefit of their communities. Merging CRKN and Canadiana is yet another example of the strength of this community in both leveraging and understanding the complexity of the digital landscape and seeking opportunities to facilitate alignment,” says Alan Shepard, Chair of the CRKN Board of Directors. “Expanding CRKN’s portfolio through this merger builds on the organization’s strength and ability to collaboratively, and collectively, make significant and meaningful contributions to scholarship in Canada,” continued Dr. Shepard.
Merger discussions began in June, 2016 in recognition of a changed research environment and with the goal of building on the strengths and complementary activities of two of Canada’s most impactful content-based national organizations serving Canada’s digital research infrastructure. This merger allows CRKN and Canadiana to cohesively pursue a united and coordinated strategy that is envisioned and directed by member libraries, and works in partnership with research and memory institutions, funders, and other partners, broadening and expanding Canada’s vision and impact in digital scholarship.
|