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Management of Library Associations Section

Scope

Within IFLA, the Section on Management of Library Associations advocates for the interests, aspirations and concerns of the library associations that are represented among IFLA members. There is a continuum of resources available to library associations: some have paid staff and others are run by volunteers, both possessing a wide range of experience and expertise. The Section addresses the needs and promotes interests of all types and sizes of library associations and brings together staff and elected leaders and representatives of these associations to:
  • foster and improve leadership skills;
  • share experiences;
  • develop useful publications and to offer workshops. seminars and programmes that address their needs and interests;
  • support IFLA's Core Programmes;
  • advocate within IFLA for the promotion and development of effective library and library association practices worldwide.
Library associations provide many valuable services to librarians. They work to develop effective library programmes and services that meet the needs of library users and advance societal objectives and interests, ensuring public access to information, and preserving and protecting cultural resources.

In its Medium-Term Programme the Section (formerly Round Table) will promote the mission of library associations in setting and maintaining standards for the provision of library services in all types of libraries, encouraging the professional development of librarians through effective training and education programmes that promote lifelong learning.

Strategic Plan

Projects

The GLAD programme was initiated as part of the re-structuring of IFLA's National Association Membership category, and is being managed by the Management of Library Associations Section (MLAS).

The basis of GLAD is a mentor/mentee programme, designed to strengthen the skills and competencies of library association officers to help them operate their associations.

Please visit for full details of the programme, and forms to register as a mentor (to provide assistance) or as a mentee (to request assistance).

Publications

Management Prospects and Challenges of Library Associations in Africa: the case for Uganda Library Association and the library and Information Association of South Africa
by Dick Kawooya. This article was originally published in "World Libraries," Vol. 11, Numbers 1 & 2, Spring and Fall 2001, pp. 39-55.

Library Associations
by Narayanan Rakunathan, InfoProducts, National Library Board, Singapore

Guidelines for the Organizational Structure of Associations Association Programes and Services Developing Policies and Procedures for the Library Association Guidelines for Financial Management of Library Associations Guidelines for Governing and Leading Library Associations Guidelines for Library Association Operations Expanding Advocacy in the Library Community - A Guide for Developing a Government Relations without Borders

Newsletter

2008: April
2007: November | April
2000: Volume 23, Winter

Section Leaflet

Annual Report

2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |

Conferences

Call for Papers World Library and Information Congress: 10-14 August 2008, Québec, Canada - Leadership skills and advocacy for libraries: best practices in library association management

Minutes of Meetings

Related Activities

Mailing list:

IFLA's Management of Library Associations Section (MLAS) list is hosted by the American Special Libraries Association (SLA).

Listserv Coordinator
Arlene Cohen,
Retired Associate Professor,
University of Guam
311 West Halladay
Seattle, Washington 98119
Telephone 206-283-8572
FAX 206-283-0062
E-mail: arlenegcohen@gmail.com

How to subscribe in six easy steps:
  1. Go to http://www.sla.org/content/community/lists/joinlists.cfm
  2. Enter your email address
  3. Enter your name
  4. Create a password (optional / not required)
  5. Go to the bottom of the Web page, under "OTHER LISTS", check the "IFLA Management of Library Associations Section" box
  6. Click on "Subscribe"

To send a message to this list, please use the following address: ifla-mlas@lists.sla.org

Useful Addresses

Chair:
Sinikka Sipilä
Secretary General
Finnish Library Association
Runeberginkatu 15 A 23
00100 HELSINKI
Finland
Tel. +(358)(9)6221399 / Mobile +(358)(400)659 363
Fax +(358)(9)6221466
Secretary:
Keith Fiels
Executive Director
American Library Association (ALA)
50 East Huron Street
CHICAGO, IL 60611
United States
Tel. +(1)(312)2801392
Fax +(1)(312)2805014
Treasurer:
Tore Kr. Andersen
Secretary General
Norwegian Library Association
Malerhaugveien 20
0606 OSLO
Norway
Tel. + (47)23243430
Information Coordinator/Editor of Newsletter:
Sue Hutley
Executive Director
Australian Library and Information Association
P.O.Box 6335 Kingston
CANBERRA 2604
Australia
Tel. +(61)(2)62158215
Fax +(61)(2)62822249

Links

arrow Library Associations Around the World

arrow LAP - Libraries of Asia Pacific directory

arrow Nat. Lib. and Archive Organisations in Europe

arrow UNESCO Libraries Portal