Canadian Federation of Library Associations facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
CFLA-FCAB

Established	May 16, 2016; 9 years ago (2016-05-16)
Type	Nonprofit
Purpose	National collaboration of Canadian library associations
Chair	Lorisia MacLeod
Vice Chair	Hélène Carrier

The Canadian Federation of Library Associations / Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques (CFLA-FCAB) is a non-profit group of library associations in Canada. It was officially started on May 16, 2016. This new group took the place of the Canadian Library Association (CLA).

CFLA-FCAB's main goal is to be "the united voice of Canada’s libraries." It aims to help libraries succeed and influence important decisions about them. Groups and companies that support Canadian libraries can join. Members pay a yearly fee. The CFLA-FCAB works to make libraries more important in national and international discussions. It also helps libraries adapt to new information trends. The organization wants to show how libraries help Canada's thinking, social life, and culture. It also works to be a strong and lasting organization itself.

CFLA-FCAB does its work through special committees. It also shares public statements and creates helpful reports. One important report is the CFLA-FCAB Truth and Reconciliation Report. The group also responds to requests from the Canadian government. These requests are about topics like digital content and accessibility laws.

History of CFLA-FCAB

Before CFLA-FCAB, there was the Canadian Library Association (CLA). The CLA had been around for 68 years. But it faced money problems and lost members. This happened because the library world became more complex. CFLA-FCAB was created to give a stronger voice to all kinds of Canadian libraries. This includes university, public, school, and special libraries.

In January 2015, the CLA started talking about its challenges. On December 18, 2015, a special group suggested a new plan. They proposed closing the CLA and forming a new group. This new group would "unite, support, and represent" all libraries in Canada. The idea was to create an "association of associations." This was inspired by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).

In January 2016, CLA members voted to close their organization. They also voted to create the CFLA-FCAB. The new Federation officially began on May 16, 2016. The first CFLA-FCAB Annual General Meeting was held on February 1, 2017. It took place in Toronto, Ontario. The first CFLA-FCAB National Forum happened on May 2, 2018. This event was in Regina, Saskatchewan. It focused on Artificial Intelligence and intellectual freedom. CFLA-FCAB is now a member of IFLA.

Member Associations

Many different library groups are members of CFLA-FCAB. These groups represent libraries from across Canada. They work together to support libraries and their users.

• AMPLO - Administrators of Medium-Sized Public Libraries of Ontario
• ABPQ - Association des Bibliothèques Publiques du Québec
• ABQLA - L’Association de Bibliothécaires du Québec / Quebec Library Association
• APLA - The Atlantic Provinces Library Association
• Association of British Columbia Public Library Directors
• BCLA - British Columbia Library Association
• BCLTA - British Columbia Library Trustees Association
• CALL / ACBD - Canadian Association of Law Libraries / Association Canadienne des Bibliothèques de Droit
• CAPAL / ACBAP - The Canadian Association of Professional Academic Librarians / L’Association Canadienne des Bibliothécaires en Enseignement Supérieur
• CARL / ABRC - Canadian Association of Research Libraries / Association des Bibliothèques de Recherche du Canada
• CCA - Canadian Council of Archives / Conseil canadien des archives
• CHLA / ABSC - Canadian Health Libraries Association / Association des bibliothèques de la santé du Canada
• CSL - Canadian School Libraries
• CULC / CBUC - Canadian Urban Libraries Council / Conseil des Bibliothèques Urbaines du Canada
• ELA - Ex Libris Association
• FOPL - Federation of Ontario Public Libraries / La Fédération du Bibliothèques Publiques de l’Ontario
• LAA - Library Association of Alberta
• MLA - Manitoba Library Association
• Nunavut Library Association
• NLLA - Newfoundland and Labrador Library Association
• NSLA - Nova Scotia Library Association
• NWTLA - Northwest Territories Library Association
• OLA - Ontario Library Association
• SLA - Saskatchewan Library Association
• Yukon Library Association

Truth and Reconciliation Committee

The Truth and Reconciliation Committee (T&R Committee) worked from September 30, 2016, to February 1, 2017. Before the CLA closed in 2016, it wanted to act on the 94 Calls to Action. These calls came from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in 2015. So, the first committee created under CFLA-FCAB was the T&R Committee. Camille Callison was its first Chair. She was also a founding member of CFLA-FCAB.

The T&R Committee looked at how libraries, archives, and cultural places could support the Calls to Action. They wanted these places to be more welcoming and respectful to Indigenous peoples. The Committee also talked with Indigenous Elders, like Norman Meade and Marlene Kayseas.

Committee Teams

Elder Norman Meade helped guide the T&R Committee. They used the idea of the medicine wheel to organize their work. The T&R Committee had four teams:

• Black Team: This team gathered good practices already used by libraries and Indigenous groups.
• White Team: This team found gaps in how the 94 Calls to Action were being met.
• Yellow Team: This team focused on existing relationships. They created a list of contacts.
• Red Team: This team planned for the future. They made suggestions about access to information. They also looked at how things are organized and protecting Indigenous knowledge. They also worked on making library spaces less colonial and more welcoming.

Committee Outputs

The T&R Committee wrote the CFLA-FCAB Truth and Reconciliation Committee Report and Recommendations. This report was made public on April 20, 2017. It suggests long-term actions for CFLA-FCAB and its members. It also helps other cultural heritage places. The goal is to support Indigenous peoples living in Canada. The report was shared at the CFLA-FCAB 2017 Annual General Meeting.

The report combines ideas from all four teams. It offers 10 main recommendations:

• Create a "Standing Committee on Indigenous Matters" within CFLA-FCAB. This committee would use the medicine wheel idea.
• Support CFLA-FCAB's statement on library services for Indigenous peoples.
• Encourage libraries and archives to follow the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action.
• Make sure materials and programs are easy for everyone to use.
• Change how libraries organize information. This means including Indigenous ways of knowing.
• Make library spaces more respectful of Indigenous cultures and languages. This includes design, signs, and events.
• Create more chances for Indigenous library workers. Also, include Indigenous knowledge in library training.
• Protect Indigenous knowledge and languages. This means changing the Canadian Copyright Act.
• Create an online list of "living documents." These would show good practices for Indigenous services in libraries.
• Keep a list of Indigenous groups that save cultural memory. This helps build relationships and support Indigenous library groups.

In 2017, CFLA-FCAB created the Indigenous Matters Committee. This committee now continues the work of the T&R Committee. The T&R Committee also started working with the University of Alberta. This led to the "Indigenous Canada" online course.

Professional Committees

Cataloguing and Metadata Standards Committee

The CFLA-FCAB Cataloguing and Metadata Standards Committee (CMSC/CNSM) first met on September 1, 2017. This committee helps with rules for organizing and describing library materials. It also advises on metadata standards. This committee meets twice a year.

Canadian BIBFRAME Readiness Task Force

From 2018 to 2020, the CMSC/CNSM worked with other groups. These included Library and Archives Canada. They prepared documents for a new way to organize library data. This new system is called Bibliographic Framework (BIBFRAME). The group was called the Canadian BIBFRAME Readiness Task Force. They wrote reports explaining BIBFRAME. They also suggested that library schools teach BIBFRAME. They recommended surveys to check if libraries are ready for it.

Copyright Committee

The Copyright Committee started in December 2016. It advises CFLA-FCAB on copyright issues. It also works with other cultural groups in Canada and worldwide. The committee meets every month from June to September. The CFLA-FCAB website has information about copyright. This includes statements on Indigenous Knowledge and 'Fair Dealing' in Canada's Copyright Act.

Indigenous Matters Committee

The Indigenous Matters Committee was formed in 2017. It followed the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. Camille Callison was its first Chair.

This committee makes sure CFLA-FCAB keeps working on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action. It also follows the T&R Committee's 10 recommendations. The committee helps Canadian libraries and archives work together. They make yearly reports on their progress. The committee also created an Indigenous Resources Hub on the CFLA-FCAB website.

Committee Teams

The Indigenous Matters Committee also uses the medicine wheel idea. Its working groups are divided into four teams:

• Black Team: Manages the Best Practices Database and tool kits.
• Yellow Team: Manages the Contacts Database and works with the National Indigenous Association.
• White Team: Checks for gaps in Calls to Action and continues work with Indigenous online courses.
• Red Team: Works on protecting Indigenous knowledge, copyright, subject headings, and classification.

Intellectual Freedom Committee and Challenges Survey

Before 2016, the CLA ran a survey about challenges. When CLA closed, CFLA-FCAB took over this survey. It is now called the Intellectual Freedom Challenges Survey of Canadian Libraries. The Intellectual Freedom Committee oversees it. The survey lists challenges reported by libraries each year. These challenges are about library collections and rules. The results are published yearly on the CFLA-FCAB website.

Programs

Accreditation

CFLA-FCAB helps find qualified librarians. These librarians serve on American Library Association (ALA) review boards. They check Canadian library schools to make sure they meet standards.

Canada Library Month and Canadian Library Workers’ Day

CFLA-FCAB supports Canada Library Month in October. It also promotes Canadian Library Workers’ Day. This day is on the third Friday in October.

The CLA first started this program in 2006. CFLA-FCAB now continues it. Each year, CFLA-FCAB announces a theme. It also provides materials to help libraries promote these events.

W. Kaye Lamb Award for Service to Seniors

CFLA-FCAB works with the Ex-Libris Association for this award. It is called the W. Kaye Lamb Award for Service to Seniors. The award started in 2002. It is given to libraries that offer great and new services to older people. It is given every two years, but only if a library truly deserves it. The award includes a $500 cash prize.

Past winners include:

• Vancouver Public Library (2021)
• Hamilton Public Library (2017)
• Ajax Public Library (2015)
• Coquitlam Public Library (2012)
• Oshawa Public Libraries (2008)
• Maple Ridge Public Library (part of Fraser Valley Regional Libraries) (2006)
• Toronto Public Libraries (2004)
• Western Counties Regional Library and Calgary Public Library (joint winners 2002)

Leadership

The people who lead CFLA-FCAB are on its Board of Directors.