The Sri Lanka Library Association (SLLA), originally established as the Ceylon Library Association (CyLA) on 28 August 1960, was founded by a group of professional
librarians who recognised the need for a national organisation to develop and strengthen librarianship in Sri Lanka.
At the time, librarians were not adequately represented in national planning and decision-making relating to libraries. The founders therefore envisaged an organisation that
would bring together library personnel, promote professional standards, advise the Government on matters relating to libraries, and contribute to the development of effective
library systems and services throughout the country.
From its inception, professional education and training became a major priority. Recognising the shortage of professionally qualified library personnel, the Association
introduced a professional course in librarianship soon after its establishment. The course was based, with appropriate adaptations, on the professional education programme of
the Library Association in the United Kingdom. Members of the Association contributed as lecturers, while facilities such as school lecture halls were used for teaching. For
many years, the SLLA professional education programme became an important source of professionally trained library personnel in Sri Lanka.
The Association also established international links at an early stage. It became a member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) in
1970 and was a founder member of the Commonwealth Library Association (COMLA) in 1972.
A major milestone in the history of the Association was the enactment of the Sri Lanka Library Association (Incorporation) Law, No. 20 of 1974 by the National State Assembly
of Sri Lanka.
The incorporation gave the Association statutory status and significantly strengthened its capacity to represent the library profession, contribute to national library development,
and engage with Government on matters relating to library and information services.
An especially important development was the recognition of SLLA professional qualifications by public and private sector organisations for the recruitment and promotion of
library personnel. This contributed significantly to the recognition of librarianship as a professional discipline and enhanced the status of qualified library personnel.
Following incorporation, the Council became the principal governing body of the Association and was empowered, within the framework of the legislation, to formulate rules
governing the administration and activities of SLLA. This established the foundation for a structured system of professional governance and administration.
The development of SLLA took place within the wider growth of professional associations in Sri Lanka. In 1975, SLLA became a founder member of the Organisation of
Professional Associations (OPA) of Sri Lanka. Through OPA, the Association participated in wider professional initiatives and gained an additional platform through which
the interests and concerns of the library profession could be represented.
The Association also reviewed its membership structure as the profession developed. In 1981, student membership was discontinued, and membership was subsequently focused
on professionally qualified persons. This reflected the Association’s commitment to ensuring that professional matters were guided by appropriately qualified practitioners and
that the governance of the Association remained closely connected with the professional community
A further significant milestone was the enactment of the Sri Lanka Library Association (Incorporation) (Amendment) Act, No. 7 of 2004, certified on 6 February 2004. The
2004 Act amended the original 1974 Incorporation Law and strengthened the legal and organisational framework of the Association.
Corporate Members, comprising Fellows and Associates, who possess voting rights and
Non-Corporate Members, comprising persons who are not eligible to be Corporate Members and who do not possess voting rights.
The Act also empowered the Council, through rules, to determine matters including qualifications and disqualifications for membership, applications for membership,
membership fees, membership certificates, the maintenance of the register of members, and the rights, privileges and duties of members.
The legislation further strengthened the professional identity of Corporate Members and provided statutory protection in relation to the professional designations associated
with SLLA, including Associate Librarian of Sri Lanka (ALA Sri Lanka), Fellow Librarian of Sri Lanka (FLA Sri Lanka) and the title Chartered Librarian.
The 2004 amendments therefore represented an important stage in the continuing development of SLLA as a professional body with a clearly defined statutory framework,
membership structure and professional responsibilities.
The Council has remained the principal governing body of the Association, with members elected at the Annual General Meeting. A distinctive feature of SLLA governance
has been the system of continuity in the presidency, involving the President, President-Elect and Immediate Past President.
This arrangement has provided institutional continuity, preserved organisational knowledge and supported the continuity of policies and programmes. It has also enabled
incoming leaders to become familiar with the work of the Association before assuming the presidency.
Over the years, the Council has established committees and professional and provincial groups to support the Association’s work in areas including:
• professional education and examinations
• finance and office administration
• publications and editorial activities
• professional and public relations
• continuing professional development
• information technology
• professional membership and fellowship and
• professional and provincial group activities
These structures enabled the Association to combine policy and decision-making by the Council with specialised professional advice and implementation through committees
and designated officers.
Throughout its history, professional education has remained one of the most important contributions of SLLA to librarianship in Sri Lanka.
Beginning with its professional course in the 1960s, the Association progressively developed programmes to provide professional qualifications and continuing learning
opportunities for library personnel. The recognition of SLLA qualifications by Government institutions, private sector organisations and universities helped establish the
Association as an important provider of professional education in Library and Information Science.
The educational role of SLLA was particularly significant during the early development of the profession, when opportunities for formal professional education in librarianship
were limited. The Association consequently played a major role in developing the professional workforce required for the country’s libraries and information services.
The importance of this role continues to be reflected in the present position of SLLA. The Association’s professional qualifications and training are recognised by the Government
of Sri Lanka as qualifications relevant to careers in library and information science.
In his paper Empowering Library Associations for Effective Management: Sri Lanka Experience, Mr N. U. Yapa (2005) emphasized that the status of a professional association
is determined not merely by its legal existence, but also by its recognition, acceptance and reputation.
The history of SLLA demonstrates the gradual development of this professional standing. Its qualifications became recognised for the recruitment and promotion of library
personnel, while the Association developed recognition as a professional education and training institution. Its relationships with Government institutions, universities,
professional associations and other stakeholders further strengthened its position within the national professional community.
An important institutional recognition was the provision for the President of SLLA to serve as an ex-officio member of the governing board of the Sri Lanka National Library
and Documentation Services Board, providing a formal avenue for professional representation in national library policy and development.
The Association’s membership of national and international professional organisations has also contributed to its professional standing. SLLA has maintained links with
organisations including the Organisation of Professional Associations (OPA), the Commonwealth Library Association (COMLA), the International Federation of Library
Associations and Institutions (IFLA), and the Regional Federation of South Asian Library Associations (REFSALA).
The history of the Sri Lanka Library Association is, therefore, closely linked with the development and recognition of librarianship and information science as a profession in
Sri Lanka.
From a professional association established in 1960, SLLA developed into a statutory professional body with national recognition, a structured system of professional education,
established membership and governance arrangements, national and international professional affiliations, and a recognised role in the development of library and information
services.
The 1974 Incorporation Law, followed by the Sri Lanka Library Association (Incorporation) (Amendment) Act, No. 7 of 2004, provided the statutory foundation for the
Association’s continuing development. The growth of professional education, the establishment and promotion of professional standards, the development of ethical
expectations, and the recognition of SLLA qualifications have collectively contributed to strengthening the status of librarianship and library services in Sri Lanka.
For more than six decades, SLLA has served as a national forum for library and information professionals, bringing professionals together, developing professional competence,
promoting standards and ethical practice, representing the interests of the profession, and contributing professional knowledge and leadership to the development of libraries
and information services.
Its enduring legacy is reflected in its continuing role as the national professional body for library, documentation and information services in Sri Lanka, committed to professional
education, standards, collaboration, advocacy and the advancement of the profession
Source:
Yapa, N. U. (2005). Empowering Library Associations for Effective Management: Sri Lanka Experience. Sri Lanka Library Review 19,44-61
