The Library Association of Ireland (LAI) (Irish: Cumann Leabharlann na hÉireann) is a professional body representing librarians in the Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1928.

Objectives

The Association works to develop high standards of librarianship and library information services in Ireland, and increase co-operation between libraries. It also represents the interests of its members in dealings with local governments and the Government of Ireland.

The Association provides conferences, courses, examinations and certifications in library science to its members. giving recognition to degrees, diplomas or other professional qualifications in librarianship, and by conducting courses of study, setting examinations to test the proficiency of candidates, and issuing diplomas.[1]

Membership

The Association has personal and institutional memberships. Personal members include professionals, para-professionals, international, students, and fraternal. Institutional members include libraries, library schools, corporate and government bodies, and institutions or societies.[2]

There is also the Honorary Life Membership and Honorary Fellowship of the Association, for those who have made significant contributions to the library profession and or to the Library Association of Ireland.

Activities

The association publishes a journal, An Leabharlann – The Irish Library, and organises regular conferences.

The Association participates in annual LAI and CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals) Ireland Annual Joint Conferences. The LAI also organises an annual Library Ireland Week to celebrate libraries. In 2021 the LAI announced that it had agreed to sponsor a category at the An Post Irish Book Awards. The new category, LAI Author of the Year, is awarded to an Irish author whose works contributed significantly to the reader experience and enjoyment of Irish books during the year, as nominated by librarians and library book club members.[3] The LAI awards a number of professional awards and a President's medal to recognise and celebrate an individual who, while not directly working in libraries, has an exceptional track record of promoting libraries and/or issues of interest or concern to libraries.[4] The inaugural recipient of the President's medal was the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins who was presented with the medal at Áras an Uachtaráin on 12 June 2022.[5]

In 2019 it was announced that the LAI would host the IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Dublin in 2020. However, in early 2020 this was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic until July 2022.[6]

Governance

The Association's current president is Eileen Morrissey, who is County Librarian, Wexford County Council.[7]

Notable members

Publications

Books published by the Library Association of Ireland include:

  • Accent on Access : Proceedings of an Irish Joint Conference held 19–22 April 1994 in Enniskillen
  • Books Beyond the Pale: Aspects of the Provincial Book Trade in Ireland Before 1850
  • The Borrowers at School: A Report on Primary School Libraries
  • Celtic Connections: Proceedings of the Conference held 4th – 7th June, 1996 in Peebles
  • Commitment to Quality: Proceedings of an Irish joint conference held in Cork, 19–23 April 1993
  • Consumer Health Information Database Feasibility
  • Directory of Libraries & Information Services in Ireland; 5th Ed.
  • Information for Health: Access to Healthcare Information Services in Ireland. A Research Report on the Information needs of Healthcare Professionals and the Public
  • Libraries – Information and Imagination : Proceedings of an Irish Joint Conference held 25–28 April 1995
  • Library Development in Second Level Schools : Seminar Proceedings
  • Library File: Making a Success of the School Library
  • Public Information in Private Places: Proceedings of the 1997 Annual Joint Conference held in Letterkenny Co Donegal, 22nd – 25th April, 1997
  • School Libraries: Guidelines for Good
  • Standards for Irish Health Care Libraries and Information Services (2nd ed., 2005)
  • Standards for Irish Health Care Libraries
  • Striving for Excellence: Proceedings of an Irish Joint Conference held 27th April – 1st May, 1992 in Malahide, Co. Dublin
  • Towards the Global Library: Networking Revolution in Action. Seminar proceedings 12–20 March 1992
  • Well Read: Developing Consumer Health Information in Ireland [8]

An Leabharlann is the journal published by the Library Association of Ireland. In the year 2013, the journal became available electronically. Currently the journal has published 26 volumes and 51 issues.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Objectives". Archived from the original on 28 October 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  2. ↑ "Types of Membership". Archived from the original on 6 April 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  3. ↑ "Author of the Year Award – Library Association of Ireland".
  4. ↑ "Nominations open for the inaugural LAI President's medal – Library Association of Ireland".
  5. ↑ "Library Association of Ireland (LAI) presents President of Ireland Michael D Higgins with the inaugural LAI President's medal – Library Association of Ireland".
  6. ↑ "IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Dublin 2020 is Cancelled – Library Association of Ireland".
  7. ↑ "About the Library Assocation of Ireland".
  8. ↑ "Publications". Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  9. ↑ "An Leabharlann". Retrieved 18 October 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.