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Library Resources and Support for Programs Offered in French in a Minority Language Setting

CAUT Policy Statement

Librarians and archivists working in French in a linguistic minority context should be provided with the necessary resources to perform their duties

Post-secondary institutions have an obligation to ensure that programs of study offered in French in a minority language setting are provided with resources equitable to other programs.

Post-secondary institutions offering French programs of study in a minority language context should ensure that academic staff and students have access to all necessary academic and administrative services and resources in French.

Librarians and archivists who are both fluent in French and have relevant subject matter expertise are an important and necessary academic resource for academic staff and students pursuing work in French in any academic subject. Post-secondary institutions have an obligation to hire librarians and archivists who are qualified to provide all the necessary services for academic staff and students in programs of study offered in French in a minority setting.

If Francophone librarians and archivists working in a unilingual anglophone or a bilingual postsecondary institution are not able to provide the necessary academic services for a program of study offered in French, post-secondary institutions have an obligation to remedy the situation.

Librarians and archivists should have the right to allocated time and resources for improving minority language services through professional development, which may include sabbatical leave or paid leave to pursue intensive language training or broadening their academic expertise with the aim of providing quality academic services in more subject areas.

Approved by the CAUT Council, November 2022.