The Japan Library Association (JLA) () is a

professional organization A professional association (also called a professional body, professional organization, or professional society) is a group that usually seeks to advocacy, further a particular profession, the interests of individuals and organisations engaged in ...

for librarians in Japan. Its mission is to promote libraries and librarian education throughout Japan. It is also a member of the

International Federation of Library Associations The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is an international body representing the interests of people who rely on libraries and information professionals. A non-governmental, not-for-profit organization, IFLA ...

History

The JLA was established in 1892 as the Nihon Bunko Kyōkai ( Japan Book Organization). They changed their name to the Nihon Toshokan Kyōkai in 1907. The organization was founded by Tanaka Inagi, after the

American Library Association The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world. History 19th century ...

and the

Library Association The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP, pronounced ) is a professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers in the United Kingdom. It was established in 2002 as a merger of th ...

were founded in 1876 and 1877, respectively. The first annual All-Japan Library Conference was held in 1906, and the JLA began publishing the ''Toshokan Zasshi'' a year later in 1907. It became a member of the International Federation of Library Associations in 1929. The JLA became an Incorporated Association in 1930, and began making close ties with the

Ministry of Education An education ministry is a national or subnational government agency politically responsible for education. Various other names are commonly used to identify such agencies, such as Ministry of Education, Department of Education, and Ministry of Pub ...

. When Japan was under allied occupation after World War II, a law was passed to make Japanese libraries operate similarly to American ones by making them free to use and funded by taxpayers. The JLA also created and implemented the

Nippon Decimal Classification The (NDC, also called the Nippon Decimal System) is a system of library classification developed for mainly Japanese-language books maintained and revised by the Japan Library Association since 1948. Originally developed in 1929 by Kiyoshi Mori, ...

system, the Nippon Cataloging Rules, and the Basic Subject Headings. They also adopted a statement on

intellectual freedom Intellectual freedom encompasses the freedom to hold, receive and disseminate ideas without restriction. Viewed as an integral component of a democratic society, intellectual freedom protects an individual's right to access, explore, consider, and ...

in 1954.

Structure

The JLA has six divisions that serve different types of libraries, including

school A school is the educational institution (and, in the case of in-person learning, the Educational architecture, building) designed to provide learning environments for the teaching of students, usually under the direction of teachers. Most co ...

public In public relations and communication science, publics are groups of individual people, and the public (a.k.a. the general public) is the totality of such groupings. This is a different concept to the sociology, sociological concept of the ''Öf ...

special Special or specials may refer to: Policing * Specials, Ulster Special Constabulary, the Northern Ireland police force * Specials, Special Constable, an auxiliary, volunteer, or temporary; police worker or police officer * Special police forces ...

and

academic An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of tertiary education. The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy, founded approximately 386 BC at Akademia, a sanctuary of Athena, the go ...

libraries. There is also a division for library education. The JLA also has 29 committees covering topics like intellectual freedom, services to the disabled, and

copyright A copyright is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the exclusive legal right to copy, distribute, adapt, display, and perform a creative work, usually for a limited time. The creative work may be in a literary, artistic, ...

. Members elect councilors, who make up the decision-making body of the organization. The Board of Councilors elects the Board of Directors, who manage the organization. The chairman of the Board of Directors is the official spokesperson for the JLA.

Activities

Conferences

The All-Japan Library Association conference is held annually in October. It is held in a different city every year. Many symposiums and lectures are also held throughout the year.

Awards

The JLA has given out the Library Architecture Award annually since 1985.

References

External links

Official website
{{Authority control 1892 establishments Professional associations based in Japan Library-related professional associations