The auditorium of Library and Archives Canada is now under the control of Public Works Canada.
Ottawa arts and culture events could soon face the loss of a favoured venue as Library and Archives Canada relinquishes control of public bookings at 395 Wellington Street.
On Jan. 1, Public Works and Government Services Canada assumes responsibility for the building’s public space, including the auditorium, foyer and entrance lobby. According to the archives’ website, the move was made “to align the use of public spaces . . . with government-wide practices.”
Public Works manages most federal properties, says Library and Archives spokesperson Marc Comeau.
“It was sort of an exceptional case that this was managed by Library and Archives.”
It puts the availability of the library for booking public events under question.
“I think there is a process by which maybe they could be available in some cases,” says Comeau, “But I can’t speak to Public Works processes.”
Public Works said it's "currently reviewing the potential uses for these spaces" and it will "broadly communicate the results."
Comeau says there’s no particular reason the library couldn’t continue to manage public spaces. He says the transfer of responsibility is “a logical step.”
Library and Archives announced in February its event bookings were full for 2011 and the building’s public spaces were under review.
The announcement came less than three weeks after a rescheduled screening of the controversial film Iranium.
The film, created by the Clarion Fund, which according to its website “produces and distributes documentaries on the threats of radical Islam,” had been cancelled mid-January after Library and Archives received complaints and threatening phone calls from the Iranian Embassy.
Heritage Minister James Moore said this was a breach of freedom of speech and ordered the library to reschedule the screening.
Asked about the timing of Library and Archives’ announcement, Comeau says there is no connection.
“Something like this doesn’t really happen overnight,” he says. “We had been having discussions with Public Works for quite a while, so there’s no linkage between Iranium and this move.”
Fred Litwin, president of the Free Thinking Film Society, the organization that held the Iranium film screening in February, says he tried finding out if bookings will be possible in 2012.
“Right now, they’re not taking bookings. I hope they change their minds.”
“We’ve used the Library and Archives venue for quite some time,” says Litwin. “Right now, we’ll have to start looking into other venues for next year.”
The One World Film Festival is among many annual festivals that use the library’s auditorium, says program director Pixie Cram. She said this year’s festival, to be held Oct. 13 -16, may be the last at Library and Archives.
Cram says currently organizations pay a technician’s fee but no venue fee for the auditorium, making it an inexpensive option for events. As for other viable venues at galleries and museums, “auditorium space in this city can be very expensive,” she says.
Next year, this could require a bigger budget for the festival.
“We’re trying for funding from the Ontario Arts Council and the city as a solution,” she says. “But it might come down to more fundraising.”
The 22nd annual documentary festival features 14 films with a range of topics, including human trafficking in Montreal and Vancouver, Ugandan girl soldiers and Iranian revolution.