Library Association of Bangladesh

Membership :

The LAB has 1900+ life members and 1000+ general members through out the country. The membership of LAB is very casual. Any professional having a minimum Post-Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Science from any recognized university can become a member of the LAB in any time. On the other hand, a sub-professional having a certificate degree from any institution affiliating with LAB with 5 years job experiences can also be a member of LAB and has right to cast vote in elections. But subject to approval of the Council of the Association and in consideration of genuine and active interests in libraries, any one of the following categories of individual and corporate bodies may be admitted to the membership of the Association in capacities mentioned hereunder provided that such an individual or corporate body subscribes to the Association’s aims and objects and does not do anything prejudicial to them, overtly or covertly, nor participates in such action in any manner:

The LAB offers the following categories of membership:

As a Patron—if s/he is a person of distinction,
As a Donor Member,
As a Fellow Member,
As a Life Member,
As an Institutional Member,
As an Associate member, and
As a General Member.

Criterion to be a Member of LAB :

The first conference of the East Pakistan Library Association was held jointly with the third annual conference of Pakistan Library Association in between 24 and 28 December 1960 at Dhaka. Lt. General Mohammad Azam Khan, Governor of East Pakistan was the Chief Guest. The most important achievement of this conference was that the East Pakistan librarians were able to persuade the West Pakistani Librarians to shift head quarter of the Pakistan Library Association in Dhaka . It was decided that PLA head-quarter would rotate between Karachi , Dhaka and Lahore every three years.

East Pakistan was the host to the fifth annual conference of the Pakistan Library Association for the second time in 1963 when the second conference of the East Pakistan Library Association was also held. Since the PAL head Quarter was in Dhaka at that time, there was great enthusiasm and encouragement among the East Pakistan Librarians. EPLA had no house of its own, no paid worker and no adequate ways and means beyond the voluntary contribution of its members. Sincere and honest service of its members was the only resources.

Having only seven members at the outset, fifteen in 1958, eighteen in 1959, eleven in 1961 and never exceeding thirty on average the EPLA was quite alive towards development of librarianship in the country.

After the Victory of Liberation War on 16 December 1971 , the Association was renamed as Library Association of Bangladesh (LAB). Later, the LAB was registered under the Social Welfare Registration Act xxxxvi of 1961. Now it’s head quarter in Dhaka .

Library Development:

1. As a Patron

Subject to approval of the Council of the Association a person of distinction may be admitted to the membership of the Association. But s/he shall not have the right to cast vote.

2. As a Donor Member

Subject to approval of the Council of the Association and in consideration of genuine and active interests in libraries, any individual or corporate body may be admitted as a Donor Member donating Tk. 25,000.00 at a time to the Association.

3. As a Fellow Member

Subject to approval of the Council of the Association any person of the profession in consideration of his/her noteworthy contributions to the profession, work of the Association or to the development of libraries and/or promotion of librarianship in the country having a minimum Master in Library and Information Science with 10 years professional experiences and at 5 articles published in a reputed research journal may awarded a Fellow Membership.

4. As a Life Member

Any professional having a minimum Post-Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Science from any recognized university and a sub-professional having a certificate degree from any institution affiliating with LAB with 5 years job experiences paying Tk.1000.00 (One Thousand) at a time can become a Life Member of LAB in any time.

5. As an Institutional Member

If it is a library or educational institution akin to it or contributes towards development library or any citizen of the Country having a Post-graduate Diploma and Master Degree in Library and Information Science may become an Institutional Member paying Tk. 5000.00 (Five Thousand) only at a time. The Institution shall have to submit a similar constitution for approval of the LAB. No program shall be taken without prior approval of the LAB.

6. As an Associate member

Any distinguished person of Bangladesh or of any country outside Bangladesh who has already had an active participation in the activities of the Association and will probably further its cause in future and has a Master in Library and Information Science with 5 years experiences may become an Associate Member of LAB.

7. As a General Member.

Any citizen of the country if s/he has a Certificate Degree with 5 years experiences or Master Degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Science may become a General Member of LAB paying Tk. 200.00 (Two Hundred) at a time.

Usually Yearly fee Tk. 200.00 shall have to deposit on the first day of January. A member shall lose his/her membership without any prior notice if a member fails to pay his/her yearly fee Tk. 200.00 within 31 March of the next year. However any member can renew his/her membership clearing fees/dues as per rules permitted. A member shall lose his/her membership if fails to pay fees/dues before the voter list is finalized.

Duties and Powers of the Members

Refers to Constitution of LAB

Election of the Council:

The LAB comprises with a heterogeneous membership. The LAB has a National Executive Body. Its Executive Office is situated in Dhaka . There are seven district Associations that affiliated body of the LAB. The election holds after three years casting direct votes since 2004.

All categories of members have the right to cast their votes directly at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of members accept Fellow and Associate members. (Refers to the Constitution)

General Options of LAB Members:

The LAB is the national representative forum of all professional librarians of the country. All members trusted on it and participate in its all activities and also communicate the Association if they face any problems. The members are free to share and contribute ideas and options in open forums and general meetings. The members sometimes have complaints and reservations about the role performances of the office executives, but they want to see the Association as prosperous and strong professional bargaining authority.

Staffing:

Since its inception, LAB has been struggling with regard to its financial health. LAB has two full time employees, who are working on a very low salary. They maintained the records and files and do secretarial jobs. But its elected representatives who work voluntarily for the Association handle most of its operations.