1. Introduction: The Importance of Professional Associations
A profession must be organized through formal associations at national and state levels. These associations serve as a forum for collaborative and coordinated efforts, as professional issues with wide-reaching concerns cannot be handled by an individual or a single institution. They are considered a key characteristic of any profession, binding members together, setting standards, and working for the betterment of the profession and its practitioners. Library associations are considered learned societies, and their role is vital to the progress and development of the library and information science (LIS) field. An association's effectiveness is a reflection of the solidarity of its members working for a common cause.
2. General Aims, Roles, and Functions
Professional associations are powerful forces that represent the voice of the professional community. Their central purpose is to serve the needs and protect the interests of their members, while also striving to serve the broader needs of the nation.
Key aims and objectives include:
- Promoting the Library Movement: Associations work to spread the public library movement, make people "library conscious," and contribute to human resource development. They advocate for the enactment of public library legislation by drafting bills and mobilizing social pressure.
- Providing a Common Forum: They offer a platform for library professionals to exchange information, ideas, experiences, and expertise. This helps establish a network of fellow librarians.
- Working for Professional Welfare: Associations work for the betterment of salaries, grades, service conditions, and status of library professionals. They represent the profession to government bodies and management on these issues.
- Setting and Maintaining Standards: A core function is to set, maintain, monitor, and promote standards of excellence in the field. They formulate standards, guidelines, and codes for practices, procedures, and techniques to foster cooperation.
- Fostering Cooperation and Resource Sharing: They promote cooperation among libraries and professionals to facilitate resource sharing and avoid duplication of efforts.
- Developing Manpower: Associations contribute to manpower development by organizing education and training programs, promoting research, and offering incentives and awards.
3. Programmes and Activities of Library Associations
To achieve their objectives, library associations undertake a variety of programmes and activities:
- Conferences and Meetings: They organize conferences, seminars, and lectures that allow professionals to meet, discuss issues, and exchange expertise. National associations like the Indian Library Association (ILA) and the Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres (IASLIC) hold annual or biennial conferences and seminars. The American Library Association (ALA) holds a large annual conference attended by over 25,000 people.
- Publications: A major activity is the publication of professional literature, including journals, newsletters, conference proceedings, directories, and reference books.
- ILA publishes the Journal of Indian Library Association and the ILA Newsletter.
- IASLIC publishes the IASLIC Bulletin, IASLIC Newsletter, and Indian Library Science Abstracts.
- The ALA publishes numerous serials, including American Libraries and Book List, as well as books and promotional materials through ALA Editions and ALA Graphics.
- Education and Continuing Education: Associations conduct training and continuing education programs for working professionals to improve competency and supplement university education. CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals) in the UK, for instance, provides a wide range of training courses and professional development frameworks like Certification and Chartership.
- Formulating Standards and Ethics: Associations are deeply involved in creating standards and codes of ethics to ensure high values in professional conduct and service. The ALA and CILIP have established detailed codes of ethics and professional conduct for their members.
- Representation and Advocacy: They represent the profession on official bodies and take up professional issues with government authorities. The ILA, for example, is represented on the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF) and the National Book Trust (NBT).
- Information and Consultancy Services: Some associations offer specialized services. IASLIC provides bibliographical compilations and document translation services on a non-profit basis. ASLIB (Association for Information Management) in the UK has a consultancy group that undertakes projects for organizations.
- Awards and Recognition: They institute awards to recognize outstanding performance and encourage excellence among professionals and library systems.
- International Cooperation: National associations establish cooperation with international bodies like IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) to attend to mutual problems and professional issues.
4. Examples of Professional Associations
- Indian Library Association (ILA): Founded in 1933, it is the largest and premier professional body in India, working to promote the library movement, enact legislation, and improve the status and service conditions of library personnel.
- Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres (IASLIC): Founded in 1955 and headquartered in Kolkata, it focuses on the needs of special libraries, offering specialized information services like translation and undertaking research and training.
- American Library Association (ALA): The oldest and largest library association in the world, founded in 1876. It plays a dynamic role in fostering American library interests through its numerous divisions, publications, conferences, and international activities.
- Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP): The leading professional body in the UK, formed in 2002 from the merger of the Library Association and the Institute of Information Science. It focuses on setting standards, advancing the profession, and developing the workforce through qualifications, training, and advocacy.
- International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA): Founded in 1927, it is the leading international body representing the interests of library services and their users globally. It promotes international cooperation, develops standards, and works to ensure freedom of access to information.