Fonds MS-2-612 - Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia fonds

Phyllis Blakeley with Deputy Minister of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Fitness, Louis...

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia fonds

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  • Graphic material
  • Textual record

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Fonds

Reference code

MS-2-612

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

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Physical description

12.6 m of textual records . - ca. 3500 photographs . - 15 audio reels. - 2 videocassettes. - 1 audio cassette. - 1 drawing. - 1 painting

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(1975-)

Administrative history

The Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS) is a non-profit charitable organization established in 1975 to foster creative writing and the profession of writing in the province of Nova Scotia. Its mandate is to provide advice and assistance to writers at all stages of their careers; to encourage greater public recognition of Nova Scotian writers and their achievements; and to enhance the literary arts in both regional and national culture. Membership is open and advocacy available to both professional and developing writers.

The WFNS is administered by an Executive Director and an Executive Committee. The Executive Director is hired by the Federation and is responsible for the day-to-day operations and business of the Federation. He/she works closely with the Executive Committee and various work groups and special committees.

The Executive Committee are elected by the membership and serve two-year terms. They serve the purpose of a board of management with the traditional responsibilities of officers of a non-profit service organization, and are responsible for the policies and general management of the Federation.

The self-governing Nova Scotia Writers' Council, the Federation's professional wing, comprises about one-third of the Federation's membership and deals with policy issues arising from and affecting the publishing industry. The self-governing and self-administered Nova Scotia Dramatists' Co-op is made up of the Federations' playwrights and screenwriters.

The Federation also serves writers and readers in the community, publishers, editors, teachers, librarians, and representatives of the book industry.

The Federation continues to augment and improve its advocacy and public relations efforts and programmes (including the development and administration of major book awards for the Atlantic region), and to work in concert with other regional and national writers' and publishers' groups for the benefit and growth of the industry.

The Nova Scotia Recreation Department provided the initial funding under its program for assistance to cultural associations.

Custodial history

The Archives of the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia was created by the administration, members, and affiliates of the Federation. The fonds remained in the custody of the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia until it was donated to the University Archives in various stages. The first donation was made by the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia on June 22, 1990. The most recent donation was made by the Federation on June 25, 2008.

Scope and content

The Archives of the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia consists of records created by the administration, members, and affiliates of the Federation. It includes a wide variety of materials including administrative records, audio/visual material, correspondence, financial records, meeting agendas and minutes for a variety of groups and committees, photographs, promotional and press material. The records refer to the adminstration and functions of the Federation, as well as its relationships with its members, government departments, and other writing, publishing and cultural groups.

Materials are mainly in English, with a small number in French. See individual Series descriptions for detailed scope and content notes.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Arrangement

The fonds is arranged by theme rather than by format. Efforts were made to preserve the original order of the records, but much of the arrangement was created and applied by the archivists. The fonds is arranged into 10 series:

Administrative records

The Canada Council

Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia

Membership files

Nova Scotia Department of Culture, Recreation, and Fitness

The Nova Scotia Writer's Council

Photographs of members and events

Portfolios

Records regarding external organizations

Subject Files

Some series are further divided into sub-series. Files within each series or sub-series are listed chronologically, unless otherwise specified.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

Language and script note

English, with some French interspersed.

Location of originals

Availability of other formats

Restrictions on access

Records less than 20 years old are closed.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Finding aids

Associated materials

Atlantic Publisher's Association, MS-2-682

Barkhouse, Joyce, MS-2-646

Bird, William R., MS-2-367

Canadian Book Information Centre, MS-2-621

Choyce, Lesley, MS-2-596

Cook, Gregory M., MS-2-720

Halifax Science Fiction Society, MS-2-341

Kerslake, Susan, MS-2-662

Morrissey, Donna, MS-2-753

Pottersfield Portfolio, MS-2-684

Pottersfield Press, MS-4-254

Raddall, Thomas Head, MS-2-202

Thurston, Harry, MS-2-691

Wilson, Budge, MS-2-650

Related materials

Accruals

Further accruals are expected.

General note

Preferred citation: [Identification of item], The Archives of the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia, MS-2-612, Box [box number], Folder [folder number], Dalhousie University Archives, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

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