Canadian Library Association Votes to Dissolve and Make Way for New Library Federation

This is a follow-up to the Library Boy post of January 6, 2016 entitled Canadian Library Association Special Meeting in January to Vote on New Library Federation.

Yesteerday, the membership of the Canadian Library Association (CLA) voted on a proposal to dissolve the CLA and replace it with a federation consisting of library associations from across the country. The CLA proposal was released last December.

The membership voted in favour of the proposal:

"The dissolution of CLA follows an extensive process during which CLA worked with a large number of library associations across Canada to develop a proposal to advance the interests of libraries. The proposed Canadian Federation of Library Associations [link] unifies the diverse library communities across Canada. CLA’s membership took this decision with a view to the future. Changing times and a proliferation of other library associations has seen a decline in CLA membership resulting in challenges in sustaining an effective organization. It was clearly time to reconsider the viability of the organization. The Executive Committee unanimously supported the motion to dissolve CLA in order to enable the creation of a new national federation. Over the next few months CLA will undertake the normal requirements to wind down an organization and pave the way for the Federation."

"While the demise of CLA is regrettable, the rise of the Federation as a new and more effective voice for Canada’s libraries is a reason to celebrate."