by Lauren Bourdages, Head Editor, INALJ Ontario

Professional Associations for Canadian LIS Professionals

Professional Associations (PAs) are something we’ve all heard about, if only in that we’ve heard about the American Library Association (ALA) because of the fact that all MLIS programs in North America have to be accredited by them. PAs aren’t just about accreditation though, they’re so much more. They have a lot to offer to us, and we in turn have a lot to offer them. They are a place for all LIS professionals, be they MS/LIS holding Librarians or Diploma holding LIbrary Technicians to come together and keep abreast of the latest goings on in the industry. They are a place of learning, most if not all offer some form of professional development or at the very least a newsletter or magazine that contains articles about industry trends and innovations. Without the PAs we probably wouldn’t have conferences like the Ontario Library Association’s (OLA) Super Conference where we can all come together to network and participate in workshops.

They offer us a chance to get involved in shaping the way people both inside and outside of our profession see and understand what we do by offering us opportunities to volunteer on committees and executives, write for their publications, or even speak and present at Conferences.

I know from personal experience in my own Library Technician program that the wide array of PAs in Canada, and their individual offerings weren’t as publicised as they could’ve been, beyond the Canadian Library Association (CLA) and the OLA there was very little mention of them unless you sought it out for yourself. For a semester long research project I surveyed my classmates about their knowledge of the CLA. The results weren’t what I had expected many didn’t know about it beyond knowing what it was, and almost all were unaware that they offered a discounted membership rate for students. Personally when I discovered the student member rates I joined the 3 major associations I knew of right away because $20-$40/year for a membership versus approx. $200 is a fantastic deal and an amazing opportunity. So get involved early and stay involved!

Now here’s a list of the Canadian LIS PAs that I’m aware of:

National Level*:

– CLA – The Canadian Library Association

Offers:

– Networking
– Professional Development Events
– Magazines/Publications
– Committees
– Volunteer Opportunities
– Grants & Awards
– Scholarships
– Conference
– ListServs
– Research Services
– Divisions for different interests (e.g. Public Libraries, Academic Libraries, etc.)
– Student Chapters

Cost:   Students $25 CAD/annum ;  Unwaged $50 CAD/annum  ;  Discount $100 CAD/annum  ;  Personal $200 CAD/annum

– ARMA Canada – The Canadian arm of ARMA International

Offers**:

– Networking
– Professional Development Events
– Magazines/Publications
– Committees
– Volunteer Opportunities
– Grants & Awards
– Conference
– Research Services
– Location based chapters to connect you specifically with the LIS pros in your area

Cost:   Students/Retirees $25 USD/annum  ;  Basic $175 USD/annum

– APRA Canada – The Canadian branch of The Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement

Offers:

– Networking
– Professional Development Events (discounted for members)
– Newsletter
– Mentoring

Cost:    $40 CAD/annum

– The Indexing Society of Canada

Offers:

– Networking
– Newsletter
– ListServs
– Directory of Freelance Indexers/Editors
– Conference
– Awards

Cost:   Student Membership with listing $100 CAD/annum  ;  Individual Membership with listing $130 CAD/annum  ;  Basic Student Membership $60 CAD/annum   ;  Basic Individual Membership $90 CAD/annum

– ACA – The Association of Canadian Archivists

Offers:

– Networking
– Newsletter
– Student Chapters
– Mentoring
– Conference
– Awards

Cost:   Students (FT only) $55 CAD/annum  ;  $0-10k $81 CAD/annum  ;  $10-25k $146 CAD/annum  ;  $25-40k $168 CAD/annum  ;  $40-55k $179 CAD/annum  ;   $55-70k $201 CAD/annum   ;  $70k+ $226 CAD/annum   ;  Retirees $90 CAD/annum

*The national level is the only level I’m providing details for otherwise this post will be a million miles long!

** ARMA Canada’s offerings, including membership fees, are through ARMA International

 

Provincial Level:

– OLA – The Ontario Library Association

    OLITA, OSLA, OCULA, OLBA, OPLA, ABO-FRANCO

– OALT – The Ontario Association of LIbrary Technicians

– AAO – The Archives Association of Ontario

– LAA – The Library Association of Alberta

– AALT – The Alberta Association of Library Technicians

– ASA – The Archives Society of Alberta

– BCLA – The British Columbia Library Association

– APLA – The Atlantic Provinces Library Association

– MLA – The Manitoba Library Association

– NLLA – The Newfoundland and Labrador Library Association

– NWTLA – The Northwest Territories Library Association

– NSLA – The Nova Scotia Library Association

– NLA – The Nunavut Library Association

– ABQLA – l’Association des bibliothécaires du Québec – Quebec Library Association

– SASKLA – The Saskatchewan Library Association

– YLA – The Yukon Library Association

– MALT – The Manitoba Association for Library Technicians

 

If you can think of any that I’m missing feel free to shoot me an email through the form on the ON page!