York's Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections has won the Archives Association of Ontario’s 2008 Institutional Award.
"Through its major contributions to the Archives Association of Ontario and ARCHEION [Ontario's online archival information research network], and its leading edge investigation into research development and accessibility of information, the Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections at York University deserves to be named the 2008 Institutional Award winner for 2008," said Mary Gladwin, a member of the Archives Association of Ontario's Awards Committee.
"The Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections at York University is acknowledged to be an excellent archival facility and has long been recognized as a leader in research development. Its unique Canadian / North American fonds have caused it to be considered one of Canada’’s finest university archival collections," said Gladwin. "As well, the archives is dedicated to developing research collections that support not only current faculty and student research needs but also future needs in new knowledge areas.""
The AAO Institutional Award is given to an archival institution that has contributed significantly to the advancement of the archival field or community, or has demonstrated a significant level of innovation and imagination in the establishment of outstanding or model programs or services.
Michael Moir (right), University archivist and head, Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections, attended the AAO annual conference in Windsor, Ont., and was presented with the award at a special dinner on Friday, June 6.
"The award was given to the Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections in recognition of the contributions made by its archivists," said Moir, "particularly Kent Haworth and Suzanne Dubeau, in the development, promotion, and sustainability of ARCHEION and also for the development of significant research collections in the field of Canadian culture that make it one of the most important university archives in Canada."
About the Clara Thomas Archives at York University
Part of the York University Libraries, the York University Archives was named in honour of Clara Thomas, professor emerita of English at York University from 1961 to 1984. The Clara Thomas Archives at York University has been a beneficiary of Thomas' extensive literary connections, moral and financial support, and good will for many years.
From its inception, Canadiana has been a special focus of the archives' collection mandate. In 1981, the Margaret Laurence acquisition firmly established York's reputation as a serious collector of Canadian literary papers, at a time when Canadian authors were beginning to be recognized and studied. Thomas, a Laurence scholar, taught some of the first Canadian literature courses in a Canadian university, and through her friendship with Laurence, played an important role in the transfer of Laurence's papers to York. Thomas's own archival papers have their home in York's archives.
Visit the Clara Thomas Archives Web site for more information on its archives and special collections.