Indian Library Association

Indian Library Association is a premier professional organization in India, established in 1933 with the objective of promoting library science and information science in the country. The association has its headquarters in New Delhi and has over 5,000 members, including librarians, information scientists, and documentalists from various parts of India, such as Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore. The association is affiliated with international organizations like the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the Asian Library Association (ASIALA), and has collaborated with national organizations like the National Library of India and the Delhi Public Library.

● History

The Indian Library Association was founded in 1933 by a group of visionary librarians, including S. R. Ranganathan, B. S. Kesavan, and K. M. Panikkar, with the objective of promoting library science and information science in India. The association has a long history of promoting library development in the country, and has worked closely with organizations like the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the University Grants Commission (UGC), and the Indian National Science Academy (INSA). The association has also organized several national and international conferences, including the All India Library Conference and the International Conference on Library and Information Science, which have been attended by prominent librarians and information scientists from around the world, such as Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan, Luther H. Evans, and Carlton Joe.

● Objectives

The primary objectives of the Indian Library Association are to promote library science and information science in India, to improve the standards of library services in the country, and to provide a platform for librarians and information scientists to share their knowledge and experiences. The association also aims to promote library education and research in India, and to collaborate with national and international organizations to achieve its objectives. The association has worked closely with organizations like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), and the National Institute of Technology (NIT) to promote library development and information literacy in India. The association has also collaborated with international organizations like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Bank to promote library development and information access in India and other developing countries.

● Organization

The Indian Library Association is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and is governed by a General Body and an Executive Committee. The association has its headquarters in New Delhi and has several state and local branches throughout India, including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal. The association is affiliated with international organizations like the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the Asian Library Association (ASIALA), and has collaborated with national organizations like the National Library of India and the Delhi Public Library. The association has also established relationships with other professional organizations, such as the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), the Indian Academy of Sciences (IAS), and the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI).

● Activities

The Indian Library Association organizes several activities throughout the year, including national and international conferences, seminars, and workshops. The association also provides training and continuing education programs for librarians and information scientists in India, and has established a mentorship program to guide young librarians and information scientists in their careers. The association has also collaborated with organizations like the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) to promote library development and information literacy in India. The association has also worked with international organizations like the British Library and the Library of Congress to promote library cooperation and information sharing between India and other countries.

● Publications

The Indian Library Association publishes several journals and newsletters, including the Indian Library Association Journal and the ILA Newsletter. The association also publishes books and monographs on various topics related to library science and information science, and has established a publication program to promote research and scholarship in India. The association has also collaborated with organizations like the National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR) and the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) to publish journals and books on science communication and information science. The association has also worked with international publishers like Elsevier and Springer Nature to publish books and journals on library science and information science.

● Awards

The Indian Library Association presents several awards to recognize outstanding contributions to library science and information science in India. The association presents the S. R. Ranganathan Award for outstanding contributions to library science, the B. S. Kesavan Award for outstanding contributions to information science, and the K. M. Panikkar Award for outstanding contributions to library development. The association also presents the ILA Best Library Award to recognize excellence in library services in India, and has established a fellowship program to support research and scholarship in library science and information science. The association has also collaborated with organizations like the National Library of India and the Delhi Public Library to present awards and recognize outstanding contributions to library science and information science in India.