Indian Library Association

Indian Library Association
Name	Indian Library Association
Founded	13 September 1933
Location	New Delhi, India
Key people	S. R. Ranganathan (Founder)
Focus	Library science, Information science
Website	https://www.ilaindia.net

Indian Library Association. The Indian Library Association is the premier national body representing the library and information profession in India. Established in 1933 during the All Asia Educational Conference held in Benares, it has played a pivotal role in shaping library development across the nation. The association is dedicated to promoting high standards, fostering professional growth, and advocating for the vital role of libraries in society.

History

The association was formally inaugurated on 13 September 1933 in Benares, with the renowned S. R. Ranganathan serving as its founding president. Its creation was influenced by the broader library movement in British India and aimed to address the need for a coordinated national body. Key early milestones included its involvement in the drafting of the seminal Model Public Libraries Act and advocacy that contributed to the establishment of the National Library of India in Kolkata. Throughout the decades, it has organized significant events like the First All India Library Conference and has been instrumental in professionalizing the field, navigating the post-Independence expansion of educational institutions.

Objectives and functions

The primary objectives include promoting the establishment and development of libraries throughout India and improving the training and status of library personnel. It functions to formulate standards and guidelines for library services, acting as an advisory body to governmental agencies like the University Grants Commission and the Ministry of Culture. Furthermore, it safeguards the professional interests of its members and works to enhance public awareness about the importance of libraries in national development, literacy, and research.

Governance and structure

The supreme authority of the association rests with its General Body, which elects an Executive Committee to manage daily affairs. This committee is led by a President and includes office-bearers such as the Vice-President, Honorary General Secretary, and Treasurer. The headquarters are located in New Delhi, and the association comprises various Special Interest Groups and Standing Committees focused on areas like library legislation and information technology. Membership is open to individuals, institutions, and associations involved in library and information science.

Activities and programs

A flagship activity is the organization of the annual Indian Library Association Conference, which attracts professionals from across the country and features discussions on contemporary issues. It regularly conducts continuing education programs, workshops, and seminars on topics ranging from digital libraries to knowledge management. The association also confers several awards, including the prestigious S. R. Ranganathan Award for lifetime contribution to the field. It actively participates in international forums like the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and collaborates with bodies such as the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation.

Publications

The association publishes the peer-reviewed Annals of Library and Information Studies (ALIS), a key scholarly journal in the field. Its other regular publications include the ILA Newsletter, which disseminates news and professional updates to members. It has also issued important professional documents, conference proceedings, and manuals, such as those related to cataloguing standards and public library systems, contributing significantly to the professional literature in South Asia.

Affiliations and recognition

The Indian Library Association maintains formal affiliations with major international bodies, most notably as the national association member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. It holds recognition from the Government of India and works in close consultation with various national and state-level agencies. The association collaborates with other professional organizations like the Society for Information Science and maintains ties with regional library associations across different states of India, reinforcing its role as the central coordinating body for the profession.

Category:Library associations Category:Organisations based in Delhi Category:1933 establishments in India