Page 206 - DLIS001_FOUNDATION_OF_LIBRARY_AND_INFORMATION_SCIENCE

Unit 11: Library Associations: India, UK and USA

to provide a common forum for library professionals for exchange of information, ideas; Notes
experiences and expertise; work for the betterment of salaries, grades, service conditions;
status, etc. of library professionals;
to hold the image of the library profession high in society; promote cooperation among
libraries and library professionals;

to share resources and avoid duplication of efforts;
to contribute towards manpower development for library and information work which
includes education and training, research, incentives, awards and rewards, etc.

11.1.2 Functions and Activities of Library Associations

The functions and activities of Library Associations are as follows:

(i) Conferences and Seminars: L.A. holds annual conferences regularly. In addition to this, its
branches and groups also arrange their own seminars, conferences, etc.
(ii) Continuing Education: L.A. organizes continuing education programmers. It also organized
short courses, workshop and seminar to update members regarding recent development
in the profession.
(iii) Library Legislation: L.A. took active initiative in enacting the Public Library Act of 1892
and 1919 and revising the bye-laws of the public libraries and museums act of 1964. It has
been active in clarifying issues arriving from legislation. It has kept a watchful eye on
censorship and copyright.
(iv) Standards in Libraries: It has promoted a code of ethics for the library profession. It has
taken interest in evolving standards and guidelines of techniques, procedures, equipment’s
etc. and has been working for the betterment of salary, status and service conditions of
library personnel.

Did u know? The association also approved and published standards for hospital libraries
in 1965.
(v) Professional Registry: L.A. maintains the professional register of chartered librarians
(professionally qualified members are known as chartered librarians and are of two
categories
Associates who are fully trained and professionally educated librarians and
Fellow (FLA) who have successfully completed additional work at an advanced
level to prove their ability in special areas of librarianship.
Now, in U.K., L.A. in the main body which is authorized to conduct the examination in
librarianship.

(vi) COMLA: In 1971, the L.A. was approached by the commonwealth foundation to assist in
setting up a Commonwealth Library Association (COMLA). COMLA was inaugurated at
Lagos, Nigeria in November 1972 with full support from W.A.
L.A. also plays a role in the establishment of British Library in 1973.
(vii) Research Programme: It sponsors numerous projects on its own initiatives and resources.
(viii) Awards: The L.A. has a scheme of instituting awards to recognize excellence and outstanding
performance in library and information science. Some of such programmes are

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 201