Building the future of Library and Archives Canada: Assessing readiness for transformational projects

Scott Hamilton, Katharine Cornfield and Samantha Rao
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Scott Hamilton: Library and Archives Canada, Canada
Katharine Cornfield: Change Group Ltd, Canada
Samantha Rao: Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Canada

Corporate Real Estate Journal, 2023, vol. 12, issue 3, 224-237

Abstract: As Canada’s pre-eminent memory institution, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has the legislative mandate to collect, preserve and make accessible Canada’s priceless documentary heritage. This unique role as public caretaker for a vital, ever-growing collection brings considerable challenges to LAC as a corporate real estate (CRE) organisation. Added to this complexity is LAC’s relatively recent assignment as custodian of its own portfolio of special purpose real property, which represents a fundamental change to the institution’s role and responsibilities. Transfer of custody, which coincided with commencement of two of the Government of Canada’s most innovative major capital construction projects, has touched off a period of significant transformation within LAC. This paper will provide important background and context with respect to LAC’s unique mandate, history and evolution as a federal real property custodian; elaborate on the complexity of CRE management in this context; detail the two major projects; and highlight the guiding principles driving delivery through this transformative time. Lastly, this paper will offer actionable insights for others contemplating organisational readiness to undertake high-profile capital projects.

Keywords: organisational readiness; real property portfolio management; capital project; governance; public sector CRE management; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: R3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aza:crej00:y:2023:v:12:i:3:p:224-237

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