Abbreviation ELA Type Library Association | Formation 1986 Region served Canada | |
The Ex Libris Association (ELA) is a Canadian national association mostly for retired persons whose careers have been in libraries and information centres, archives, publishing, and related areas. The Association, established in 1986 by a group of retired librarians including Henry Cummings Campbell, now has members across Canada, from St. John’s to Victoria. ELA’s main interests are to promote the history of and issues in Canadian information and library service; to promote the collection, preservation and accessibility of resources relating to Canadian library history; and to serve as a voice for its members on important issues, such as service to seniors.
Contents
Membership
ELA is primarily composed of retired librarians and library technicians but is open to any person who supports its purpose and activities. Membership is available for individuals and organizations. Current (2015) membership is approximately 200.
Activities
The Association publishes a semi-annual newsletter, ELAN. ELA is an active advocate on relevant issues such as improving services to seniors or library funding, e.g., in 2013 ELA called for a review of Library and Archives Canada mandate and made recommendations for change. An annual meeting is held, usually in November, for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports of officers and committees, and for presentations on a wide variety of subjects and contemporary matters. At its 2002 conference meeting, there were lively presentations about the future of librarianship. ELA recognizes its members’ achievements and partners with the Canadian Library Association on the William Kaye Lamb bi-annual award for library services to seniors.
ELA’s historical projects include a database of more than 75 ‘Biographies of Librarians and Information Professionals in Canada;’ articles and chronologies on Canadian library and information studies (e.g., a 2004 ELAN special issue on library education); and biographical plaques that can be mounted at libraries which are named after librarians.
In addition to acting as a medium of communication among members and keeping members informed of developments of interest, ELA also arranges tours of libraries, archives, and presentations for its membership on a regular basis.