Want to join the HLABC?
Please go to the Membership page to become a registered member.
Who We Are
HLABC is an organization dedicated to supporting health libraries, their staff, and anyone interested in health information search and discovery.
HLABC was formed in 1978, with an initial membership of 45. It has grown to over 100 members, representing health libraries in hospitals, academic and government environments, non-profit organizations, public libraries, and research corporations.
The HLABC Executive Committee meets monthly, with AGMs typically held in the spring of each year. Regular meetings include topical discussions, advocacy work, and planning of continuing education and member social events.
We encourage members to join our email listserv, which provides updates from the HLABC Executive, shares information on job postings and learning opportunities, and keeps members connected.
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
- For information on health librarianship, visit our Resources page.
- To connect with HLABC members and organizations, check out the Social Media page.