Our Mandate
The Council of Nova Scotia Archives (CNSA) is a professional association for archives and archivists in Nova Scotia. The CNSA advocates for the proper preservation of archives, and the importance of public access to these records through our member institutions. A number of dedicated professional archivists occupy positions on our administrative committees. Through these committees, the CNSA endeavours to promote archival standards, procedures, and best practices among institutions and organizations entrusted with the care of documentary heritage in Nova Scotia.
The Benefits of Membership
Course & Workshops
We offer a 6 courses on archival practice plus occasional workshops, to help members develop the knowledge and skills required to work in archives or manage a small archives. Members who take all 6 courses can earn the CNSA's Archival Certificate. Read More...
Grants & Bursaries
CNSA members can apply to two annual funding programs. Institutional Members can apply to the Professional Archival Development Program (up to $15,000), and the Professional Development and Training Bursary (up to $500) is open to all CNSA members. Read more...
Preservation Services
We offer members a suite of services to assist with caring for and preserving archival holdings. From our preservation equipment loan program to disaster recovery kits, the CNSA has members covered. Read More...
What's New(s)?
We’re Hiring!
The CNSA is seeking an Administrative Assistant to join our team! This is a 12-month, part-time, contract position with the possibility of extension, anticipated to begin in February 2023.
Read MoreCNSA Member Profile: La Société St. Pierre
Member profile by Heidi Schiller, CNSA’s Member-at-Large for Communications & Awards 2022 marks the 75th anniversary of La Société Saint-Pierre, which is an Associate Institutional member of the CNSA. The…
Read More2022 CNSA Conference
The 2022 CNSA Conference, “Community-Driven Archives,” will explore archives, archival projects, and archival initiatives that respond to the needs of communities and help build community connections. The hybrid conference* will take…
Read More2022 CNSA Awards!
It’s official: nominations are open for the 2022 CNSA Awards! The Awards Ceremony will be held at the 2022 CNSA Annual Conference – the CNSA’s first ever hybrid conference, which will take place both in-person…
Read MoreRegistration is open for the 2022 CNSA Conference!
Registration is now OPEN for the 2022 CNSA Conference, Community-Driven Archives. The conference will take place from October 24-25 in Halifax and online. This will be a hybrid event, meaning presenters…
Read More2022 CNSA Conference Registration
The 2022 CNSA Conference will take place from October 24-25 in Halifax and online. This will be a hybrid conference, meaning presenters and participants can attend in-person in Halifax at the Nova Scotia Archives or virtually via Zoom. Registration is open to all!
The theme of the conference is “Community-Driven Archives” – archives and archival practices that respond to the needs of communities. Across two full days, we’ll explore archives that emerge from community partnerships, rely on community involvement, and/or help build community connections.
The conference will run from 10am to 4pm each day. For those that attend in person, your registration fee includes lunch and refreshments throughout. See the preliminary conference program for the full line-up of presentations and events! https://www.councilofnsarchives.ca/2022-cnsa-conference/
Read MoreRegistration now open: Acquisition, Appraisal, and Accessioning
Registration is now open for our Core Course, Acquisition, Appraisal, and Accessioning. The course is taught by our Archives Advisor, Sharon Murray, and will be held online from Nov. 21-24 from 9am to noon each day.
Read MoreAcquisition, Appraisal, and Accessioning: November 21-24
Acquisition, Appraisal, and Accessioning will take place online from November 21-24, 2022, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm each day. It will be taught by Sharon Murray, the CNSA’s Archives Advisor.
CNSA members and employees/volunteers of members institutions that are up-to-date on their membership fees are eligible for the CNSA Member rate.
Members in good standing are also eligible for Group Rates:
- $100 per person for 2-4 employees/volunteers from a member organization
- $75 per person for 5+ employees/volunteers from a member organization
How to receive the Group Rates:
- Choose ‘CNSA Member’ as your Registration type
- Fill out the form about the course attendees
- Enter the total number of people you are registering for the course at the bottom
- Click ‘Add to cart’ – the discount will be applied automatically
Acquisition, Appraisal, and Accessioning: November 14-17, 2022
Acquisition, Appraisal, and Accessioning will take place online from November 14-17, 2022, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm each day. It will be taught by Sharon Murray, the CNSA’s Archives Advisor.
CNSA members and employees/volunteers of members institutions that are up-to-date on their membership fees are eligible for the CNSA Member rate.
Members in good standing are also eligible for Group Rates:
- $100 per person for 2-4 employees/volunteers from a member organization
- $75 per person for 5+ employees/volunteers from a member organization
How to receive the Group Rates:
- Choose ‘CNSA Member’ as your Registration type
- Fill out the form about the course attendees
- Enter the total number of people you are registering for the course at the bottom
- Click ‘Add to cart’ – the discount will be applied automatically
If you want to register for another course at the same time (and therefore maximize the group rates), don’t go through the checkout process until you’ve added that registration to your cart too!
Read MoreIntroduction to Preservation for Archives: October 17-20, 2022
Introduction to Preservation for Archives will take place online from October 17-20, 2022, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm each day. It will be taught by Kim Maguire, a professional conservator and the former Archives Advisor for the Council of Archives New Brunswick.
CNSA members and employees/volunteers of members institutions that are up-to-date on their membership fees are eligible for the CNSA Member rate.
Members in good standing are also eligible for Group Rates:
- $100 per person for 2-4 employees/volunteers from a member organization
- $75 per person for 5+ employees/volunteers from a member organization
How to receive the Group Rates:
- Choose ‘CNSA Member’ as your Registration type
- Fill out the form about the course attendees
- Enter the total number of people you are registering for the course at the bottom
- Click ‘Add to cart’ – the discount will be applied automatically
If you want to register for another course at the same time (and therefore maximize the group rates), don’t go through the checkout process until you’ve added that registration to your cart too!
Read MoreCNSA Member Archives
The CNSA is grateful for the ongoing support of the Nova Scotia Archives and the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage.