Library Association of Ireland

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]

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.

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]

The Association's current president is Cathal McCauley, who is University Librarian at Maynooth University.[7]

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]

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.[9]

• Official website