National Library Associations

The Iraqi Association for Libraries and Information is a professional association focused on the development of the field of libraries and information in Iraq. The association aims to raise awareness in the library and information sector, provide scientific and professional advice in this field, and offer training for library and information centre professionals. Objectives and major activities:

• The association works on raising awareness in library and information sciences, providing scientific and professional advice, and offering training for library and information centre staff.
• It contributes to the professional development of library and information workers by organizing training courses and workshops.
• The association seeks collaboration with local and international institutions and participates in conferences and seminars related to the field.

The Iraqi association for information technology is a professional scientific association founded in Baghdad in 2005, and it concerns with information issues and storing technologies, processing and retrieving it and it is affiliated to the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. It is a publisher of the Iraqi Journal of Information Technology.

The Library Association of Ireland (LAI) is the professional body representing the library sector in Ireland. The LAI has a number of committees representing different aspects of librarianship and facilitating sectorial engagement. The LAI publishes a journal twice yearly, An Leabharlann, sharing knowledge and professional practices from librarians and libraries across the country. In 2022, LAI has over 570 members.

ASMI was founded in 1966 and aims to support and advance the library and information science profession, create opportunities for cooperation and exchange of ideas, and sponsor activities that enhance knowledge and skills. ASMI regularly updates its web site and Facebook page about study tours, workshops and continuing education courses. In 2009 it absorbed the Association of Israeli Librarians (ASI) which was founded in 1952. In recent years membership has declined from 900 to about 300.

Japan Library Association (JLA) was founded in 1892 to promote library services and librarianship in Japan. In 1906 the first All Japan Library Conference was held, and in 1929 the JLA became a member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). The JLA supports people's reading and use of information resources and contributes to the promotion of culture, academia and science by carrying out Japanese libraries projects. The association has three types of members: individual members (2,769 as of March 2022), institutional members (about 2,158), and supporting members (48). For professional activities, this organization consists of six divisions: the Public Library Division, the University Library Division, the Junior College Library and Technical College Division, the School Library Division, the Special Library Division, and the Library and Information Science Education Division.

The Association conducts various activities to enhance and develop school libraries and promote reading for youth in cooperation with school library research groups in each prefecture (SLAs in each prefecture).

Japan Association of National University Libraries (JANUL) is a membership organization comprising libraries of national universities in Japan, the Open University of Japan , library facilities of five inter-university research institutes, totalling 92 libraries and library facilities. JANUL aims at supporting the advancement of library function through close coordination and cooperation among the members, promoting inter-library use of scholarly information resources extensively, and contributing development of infrastructures for scholarly information distribution in order to help universities achieve their missions.

In order to pursue the improvement and the development of university libraries, the Japan Association of Private University Libraries is engaged in various activities in the following fields: investigation, research, seminars, lectures, publication, international cooperation, and so on. As of 2020, 523 private university libraries (approximately 90% of Japan’s total number) belonged to the Association.

Founded in 1923, the Library Association of Latvia, is the biggest professional public organisation in the library field in Latvia, representing interests of around 400 individual members and 50 institutional members. According to the Strategic Plan 2017-2020, the major activities of the Association are organised into four strategic directions: 1) Uniting the Community of Librarians, 2) Library Advocacy, 3) Capacity building of librarians, and 4) Improvement and development of the Association. The goals are to make sure that library services are accessible, well known and valued by society, the work of librarians is appreciated, and librarians are knowledgeable, skilled and motivated continue to develop professionally and support each other.

Founded in 1994, the Association of Latvian Academic Libraries unites the biggest academic and special libraries in Latvia. It has members from 24 institutions. The main goals of the Association are to enable development and cooperation among academic libraries in Latvia and to support exchange of information in science, education and national economy. The Association is the main voice when it comes to the library advocacy within the Ministry of Education and Science and its working groups. It also deals with knowledge and experience exchange among its members and organises capacity building events for academic and special librarians.

Founded in 1996, the Association of Latvian School Librarians unites Latvian school librarians, and those involved in school libraries and in other educational areas based on common interests. The Association is advocating on behalf of school librarians, ensures participation of school librarians in strategic decision-making concerning development of school libraries in the country, and enables experience exchange and collaboration among school librarians. Currently it has 63 members.

ALBAD is a professional association, mainly acting for individuals, with about 150 members. Main objectives are advocacy, training and social events.