The Library Association of Ireland (LAI) ( ga, Cumann Leabharlann na hÉireann) is a professional body representing

librarian A librarian is a person who works professionally in a library providing access to information, and sometimes social or technical programming, or instruction on information literacy to users. The role of the librarian has changed much over time, ...

s in the

Republic of Ireland Ireland ( ga, Éire ), also known as the Republic of Ireland (), is a country in north-western Europe consisting of 26 of the 32 counties of the island of Ireland. The capital and largest city is Dublin, on the eastern side of the island. A ...

. 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 Government of Ireland ( ga, Rialtas na hÉireann) is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland. The Constitution of Ireland vests executive authority in a government which is headed by the , the head of government. The governm ...

. The Association provides conferences, courses, examinations and certifications in

library science Library science (often termed library studies, bibliothecography, and library economy) is an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary field that applies the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information technology, education, and ...

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.

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. 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 The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, since 2017 branded CILIP: The library and information association (pronounced ), is a professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers in the U ...

) Ireland Annual Joint Conferences. The LAI also organises an annua
Library Ireland Week
to celebrate libraries. In 2021 the LAI announced that it had agreed to sponsor a category at th
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. The LAI awards a number o
professional awards
and
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. 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. In 2019 it was announced that the LAI would host the

IFLA World Library and Information Congress The World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) is an international conference held annually by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) for the library and information services sector. It brings together over 3 ...

in Dublin in 2020. However, in early 2020 this was postponed due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

until July 2022.

Governance

The Association's current president is Cathal McCauley, who is University Librarian at

Maynooth University The National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM; ga, Ollscoil na hÉireann Mhá Nuad), commonly known as Maynooth University (MU), is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland in Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland. It ...

Notable members

Beatrice Doran Beatrice M. Doran is an Irish historian, author, and former chief librarian at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). Background Doran was born in Donnybrook, Dublin, where she is still a resident. She attended Muckross Park College ...

, former chief librarian at the

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) is a medical professional and educational institution, which is also known as RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ireland's first private university. It was established in 1784 ...

and former president of the LAI *

Róisín Walsh Róisín Walsh (24 March 1889 – 25 June 1949), was Dublin's first chief librarian, a feminist and a republican. Early life and education Róisín Walsh was born Mary Rosalind on 24 March 1889 in Lisnamaghery, Clogher, County Tyrone to James W ...

, (1889–1949) Dublin's first chief librarian.

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'' The ''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.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Library Association Of Ireland Professional associations based in Ireland 1928 establishments in Ireland Organizations established in 1972 Library associations Seanad nominating bodies