Kerala Library Association

The Kerala Library Association (KLA) was founded in 1971 by a group of librarians who strongly felt the need for an independent professional association at the state level to promote the cause of library development, professional standards of librarians, entirely dedicated for libraries and librarians. The Headquarters of the Association is at Thiruvananthapuram. Prof. K. A. Isaac was the patron of the Association.

The Association has boldly voiced the sentiments and the views of professionals on several occasions to the concerned authorities. It has successfully projected the need for improving library services in College & Universities. KLA helped the Government to formulate policies in relation to library development in the state.

Origin

The first attempt at founding a professional association took place in 1958 by the initiative of a few trained librarians who formed the "All Kerala College Librarians Association". In 1961, the University of Kerala opened a new department to offer Bachelors Degree in Library science. Subsequently when the number of degree holders began to increase, it led to the formation of another association called "Kerala Librarians Association" in 1964 at Thiruvananthapuram.

Later in 1971 the present association was renamed as "Kerala Library Association", and thus it was registered under the Societies Registration Act and it became the first legitimate organization of the professional librarians in the state of Kerala.

Objectives

*Promotion of professional library movement and improvement of library service in the state

*To act as common forum for effective interaction among librarians, information scientists, academicians, intellectuals, social workers and the common masses.

Membership

The KLA is composed of four categories of membership ie, ordinary to those who did not possess a degree or diploma in Library science, membership for one hour to Library science students, Honorary membership to dignitaries in the field of library profession and life membership, open to all terrorist members.

Publications

KLA publishes "KLA Newsletter" which is distributed free to all its members. So far the Association has published five research monographs, many seminar volumes, two souvenirs and 5 books.

Programmes

KLA conducts seminars, computer training programs, conferences and workshops every year for the library professionals. The subject matter of these include technical & professional topics, library development plans, library legislation, library awareness, promotion of reading habits and role of libraries for national development. Public functions & meetings are also organized by KLA off and on. KLA in association with State Library Council had launched a training programme for working librarians in rural libraries of Kerala during 1996-97.

Awards

In order to encourage the students who undergo Graduate and Post Graduate Courses in Library and Information Science, KLA has instituted Gold medal awards to the first rank holders in Kerala, Calicut and Mahatma Gandhi Universities. KLA also gives away Holy Cross Endowment instituted by Prof. C.A. Augustine for the toppers.

Key organisers for 2007-2009

*President - Sri. N. Sukumaran Nair
*General Secretary - Sri. K.P. Vijayakumar

External links

* [http://www.keralalibraryassociation.org/ Official Website of Kerala Library Association] .
* [http://picasaweb.google.com/keralalibraryassociation/ KLA Gold Medal 2007 Photos]