Want to join the HLABC?
Please go to the Membership page to become a registered member.
Who We Are
HLABC is an organization comprised of and dedicated to supporting health libraries, their staff, and anyone interested in the search and discovery of health information.
HLABC was formed in 1978, with an initial membership of 45. It has grown to over 90 members, representing health libraries in hospitals, academic and government environments, non-profit organizations, public libraries, and research corporations.
We hold four meetings a year; the AGM traditionally takes place in the spring, and Continuing Education seminars are typically offered on that same day. Our other meetings include topical discussions, in addition to attending to HLABC business.
We host an email listserv, which members are encouraged to join, and which provides up-do-date information pertaining to the HLABC and connects members.
Objectives
- To promote effective library service in the health sciences within British Columbia;
- To bring together people from health libraries;
- To encourage cooperation, communication, and mutual assistance between health libraries and health libraries staff;
- To provide educational programs relating to the health library field; and To act as an informed organization on issues of concern to health libraries and staff in British Columbia.
History
The Health Libraries Association of British Columbia (HLABC) was founded in 1978 by W. (Bill) Colin Fraser – one of the pioneers in health librarianship in the province. Some of HLABC’s prominent members over the years have included Sue Abzinger, Jim Henderson, David Noble and Cathy Rayment. It is the provincial association for hospital and health librarians as well as health library assistants. HLABC is also the provincial chapter of the CHLA/ABSC (Canada).
Like most chapters of CHLA/ABSC (Canada), HLABC maintains its own bylaws and membership lists. The Association represents the views of BC health libraries, advocates for library and information professionals locally, provincially and nationally, and hosts regular lectures and continuing education events. It holds an annual general meeting in the late spring, publishes a regular newsletter and brings professional colleagues together to plan annual conferences.
More Information
- If you are looking for resources on health librarianship, please see the Resources page.
- Finally, if you are interested in how HLABC members are participating in social media, please see the Social Media page.