Thing 21
Thing 21 looked at Professional Groups, their role and activities, and the benefits of engaging with them. I chose task 1 which involved learning more about the roles, activities and benefits of individual professional bodies listed in the module. Because of my current situation all of these professional bodies were new to me.
Library Association of Ireland - https://www.libraryassociation.ie/
The LAI is the professional body representing libraries and librarianship in Ireland. It has a wide range of roles and activities including: working to promote and develop high standards of librarianship, to secure greater co-operation between libraries, to organise conferences or other relevant functions, and to examine and assess any legislation affecting libraries.
CILIP - http://www.cilip.org.uk/
CILIP represents information professionals who work across all sectors in the UK and works to develop the skills and expertise of those they represent and to advocate for the importance of their roles. Similar to the LAI, CILIP provides its members with opportunities to develop their careers and skills, search for job opportunities.
American Library Association - http://www.ala.org/
The ALA seeks to develop, promote and improve the librarianship profession, and library and information services to increase learning and access to information in America. They advocate for the profession and all libraries where they be academic, public, school or special, they strive for an open, inclusive, and collaborative environment which highlights education and lifelong learning.
Australian Library and Information Association - https://www.alia.org.au/
The ALIA is the national professional organisation for library and information services in Australia. It strives to enhance the profession through the development of professional interests and aspirations, the improvement of services, promotion of members’ interests to governments and other organisations, and promoting the sector through leadership, advocacy and mutual professional support.
Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa - https://lianza.org.nz/
LIANZA advocates for library and information professionals in Aotearoa New Zealand. It plans, lobbies, and implements changes for its libraries by aiming to increase public awareness of libraries’ value, promoting positive national legislation, and providing resources, training and support networks.
Indian Library Association - https://www.ilaindia.net/
The Indian Library Association works to promote the library movement in India through the development and training of librarians, improving the status of librarians, encouraging appropriate legislation, endorsing library science research, providing a forum for library and information professionals by holding conferences and meetings, and the accreditation of library and information science education and training institutions.
Art Libraries Society - http://www.arlis.net/
ARLIS/UK & Ireland is an educational charity and professional organisation for providing library and information services and documenting resources in the visual arts. It works to document art and design and provide library and information services to artists, designers and architects, it promotes allocating resources for the visual arts, architecture and design, and provides a forum for debate and discussion on visual arts librarianship ideas.
International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Documentation Centres - http://www.iaml.info/
The IAML encourages and promotes the activities of music libraries, archives and documentation centres concerned with music and music materials. It works to encourage a better understanding of these centres, to strengthen cooperation among institutions and individuals, to support projects working in these fields, and to support the development of area standards and the availability of education and training.
European Association for Health Information and Libraries - http://eahil.eu/
The EAHIL unites European information professionals working in medical and health science libraries. It promotes professional development, the improvement of cooperation amongst health care libraries, raising standards, encouraging mobility and continuing education with exchanges of experience amongst its members and holding workshops or conferences.
British and Irish Association of Law Librarians - https://biall.org.uk/
The BIALL is a professional body for information professionals working within legal information in the UK and Ireland. It supports members through information exchange opportunities, meetings and conferences, and enhancing their knowledge of legal information management; it endeavours to demonstrate the important role information professionals and law libraries have within the legal information profession.
School Library Association in the Republic of Ireland - http://slari.ie/
SLAR is a voluntary organisation and a branch of the School Library Association. It offers support and information to all those involved in primary and post-primary school libraries, it campaigns for better high standard school library facilities and promotes the crucial role school libraries’ play in developing good reading habits among young people.
All of these professional groups provide different yet similar functions. Each of them strives for the betterment of the LIS profession through the education and support of its members and their careers, and through advocacy and promotion of the importance and vital role library and information services play in communities and societies around the world. Engaging with all of these groups would be very important for anyone working in the LIS area as it provides access to a network of other LIS professionals, giving support and advice and the opportunity to develop your career. I was not aware of the amount of professional groups that existed or the scope of objectives and aims they all have to promote their area. This has been a very eye opening and informative Thing and that has opened up the wider LIS community to me.
