ILA Library Association

1. PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS IN INDIA:
INDIAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (ILA)
Dr.Manish Kumar
Deptt. of Library and Information Science
University of Delhi, Delhi –110007
Email: kkmaniii2014@gmail.com

2. Background
 The term association is used to denote a group or
body of individuals or institutions associated with a
common purpose, activities, viz.
a) Advancement of service oriented goals of the
association, and
b) Protection of the members’ interests
 Development of library associations in India is
different from that of development of such
associations in other countries i.e. state level
associations emerged first prior to the formation of
the national level library associations

3. History of ILA
 The year 1933 happens to be the most
significant year in the history of Library &
Information Science in India.
 It was September 13, 1933 when Indian Library
Association was formally formed at the First All India
Library Conference at Calcutta.
 The three components, namely The Council, The
Executive Committee and the Sectional Committees
are responsible for Policy making and the execution
of the Programmers of ILA.
(https://www.ilaindia.net/index.php/about-ila/4-vision-
mission)

4. Indian Library Association (ILA)
 Since inception, ILA is working for the development
of Libraries and Library Movement, improvement,
status of Librarianship/ Librarians and stressing for
better training facilities for librarians.
 Since than ILA is working as a representative body of
Indian Librarians and Libraries and is dedicated to
the cause of libraries
 It has members from all parts of the country,
representatives from all types of libraries.

5. Objectives of ILA
 These members gave the Association three fold
objectives which included:
 (a) the furtherance of the library movement in India;
 (b) the promotion of the training of librarians; and
 (c) the improvement of the status of librarians.
 In 1935 two more objectives were added:
 (a) promotion of research in library science; and
 (b) co-operation with international organizations
with similar objectives.

6. Objectives of ILA
 The 1970 amendment to the constitution added
following four more objectives:
 (a) publication of bulletins, periodicals, books etc.,
which tend to the realization of the objects of the
association;
 (b) establishment of libraries, documentation &
information centres and assistance to their
establishment and working;
 (c) promotion of appropriate library legislation in
India; and
 (d) to do all such other things as are incidental of
above mentioned objects.

7. Objectives of ILA
 The amendment dated January 4, 1987 in the
constitution has added three more objectives namely:
 (i) providing a common forum to all persons engaged
or interested in library and information work by holding
conferences and meetings for discussion of
professional, technical and organisational issues;
 (ii) accreditation of institutions imparting library and
information science education and training; and
 (iii) promotion as well as formulation of standards,
norms, guidelines, etc. for management of Library and
Information Systems and Services.
(https://www.ilaindia.net/index.php/about-ila/4-vision-
mission)

8. Activities of the ILA
1. It holds general body meetings and a conferences every year,
including seminars on a current topics.
2. Organising continuing education programmes for working
librarians and information specialists.
3. Association with the working of professional organisations,
namely, IASLIC, AGLIS, DLA, IATLIS, IFLA, FID, COMLA,etc.
4. With the financial assistance from the NISSAT (now NISCAIR) it
has been organising advanced level workshops on the
Application of Computers in Library and Information Services in
various cities.
5. The ILA has taken up consultancy projects with Lal Bahadur
Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussouri, Indian
National Centre for Arts, New Delhi, Sangeet Natak Academy,
IGNOU etc.,

9. Activities of the ILA
6. The ILA gave all assistance for preparation of the final draft of
the National Policy of Library and Information System.
7. The ILA took initiative in bringing the Model Act of Dr. S.R.
Ranganathan and Dr.V. Venkatappaiah. Again this Model Act of
Dr.V. Venkatappaiah was restructured and revised in 1995 as
Public Libraries and Information Services Act.
8. The ILA represented in the Good Offices Committee of Libraries
and Book Trade which arrives at conversion rates for the
purchase of Foreign books.
9. It has an awards programme too, who rendered significant
contribution in the Library and Information Services.

10. ILA PUBLICATIONS
 The Journal of Indian Library Association
(JILA) is an official organ of Indian Library
Association (ILA). This journal covers all
different aspects of Library & Information
Science. JILA as an official organ of ILA
started since 1965. The journal is issued as
a quarterly publication. JILA is a peer
reviewed journal that publishes the high
quality research articles on the subject.

11. ILA PUBLICATIONS
 Indian News Letters
 The other publications include Conference
Proceedings, Annual Reports, Library Directories, ILA
Presidential Addresses, etc.

12. ILA Office
 For initial 12 years the office of ILA was housed in the Imperial
Library at Calcutta.
 It was shifted to Delhi in 1946 and remained there till
September 1953 in the University of Delhi and thereafter it
shifted back to Calcutta.
 In August 1964 the office moved to Delhi again and was housed
in Delhi Public Library.
 An extra-ordinary General Body Meeting held on May 24,1970
made a change in the constitution to make Delhi/New Delhi as
the permanent headquarter of the Association.
 Now the office of the Association is housed in its own one room
flat located in a commercial building in north Delhi which was
purchased way back in 1978.
 The office was finally moved to the present building in April,
1982.

13. Contd…
 Due to paucity of space and mushrooming of
coaching centres in Mukherjee Nagar, the
Office Bearers are putting their best efforts
for the allocation of suitable land for the
Association. A letter dated 6th June, 2016 has
been sent to H.E. Shri Najeeb Jung, Lt.
Governor of Delhi with a request for
allocation of a piece of land on lease to ILA.

14. Conclusion
 The ILA has extended great impact on Indian Library Profession.
 It completed sixty years in 1993, and organised Diamond
Jubilee celebrations in a fitting manner.
 Its services were recognized, besides providing ex-officio
membership in NBT, RRRLF, NAPLIS, and many committees at
national level.
 It acts as consulting agency for many organisations.
 On many occasions the ILA may attended problems faced by
members, particularly, with regard to administration, pay scales
and service matters.
 Many a time, on the request of the members, it has taken up
the matters with the authorities and solved their immediate
problems, during the last seventy years so.

15. Reference
 Indian Library Association
https://www.ilaindia.net/index.php