Accreditation program for private archives

• The applicant must be a legally constituted non-profit organization (NPO), or fall under the authority of an NPO, a municipal, health or education sector body, a religious community, or a band council.
• The organization must have a board of directors with members from diverse backgrounds and must have held a board meeting in the last 6 months.
• The organization must have operated for at least 12 months and employ at least one permanent, paid staff member (minimum 28 hours/week) with relevant archival qualifications or experience.
• The organization must demonstrate it receives financial support (in cash or services) representing at least 25% of its operational revenues from local organizations (municipal, education, or private sector, excluding ministries).
• The organization must have a distinct accounting of archival activities, an acquisition policy for private archives, conduct activities related to acquisition, processing, and promotion of archives, and must ensure public access and adequate facilities for archive consultation.

Who is eligible?

• Non-profit organizations (NPOs) dedicated to acquiring, processing, preserving, and sharing private archives
• Organizations under non-profit status from the municipal, health, or education sectors
• Religious communities
• Band councils (First Nations)

Who is not eligible

• For-profit companies that are not legally constituted as non-profit organizations (NPOs).
• Organizations not involved in the acquisition, treatment, conservation, or dissemination of private archives as their primary mission.
• Entities whose mandates duplicate those of an already accredited private archives service within a reasonable geographic area.
• Businesses not operating for at least 12 months.
• Organizations without a permanent, qualified, remunerated employee dedicated to archival activities.

Eligible geographic areas

• Organizations operating within the province of Quebec, Canada (all administrative regions listed under Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec regional offices).

• Assessment of the application by Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) and a peer committee composed of both external and internal BAnQ members.
• Review of the application by the Conseil du patrimoine culturel du Québec (CPCQ) for advice on the suitability of accreditation.

• Accreditation is valid for a period of 5 years and can be renewed for another 5 years, provided the service continues to meet the established requirements.
• Accredited private archives benefit from increased visibility and credibility among both public and private partners.
• Recognition is granted in the form of a government seal, which serves as an official mark of accreditation.
• Accreditation provides access to specific government financial aid programs, including those offered by Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec and the Ministry of Culture and Communications.