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BLA Constitution
states the aims and purposes of the association.
Our mission is:
a)
To promote,
the advancement of library and information services to ensure equitable access
to information sources and resources by all
b)
To enhance literacy and knowledge across the
entire population of the country
c)
To cultivate a
culture of reading for purposes of recreation, education, research and
information.
d)
To advance the
national aspirations as enshrined in the National Vision.
e)
To promote the
use of Information and Communication Technologies in all areas of information
and knowledge acquisition and dissemination.
f)
To lobby all
stakeholders to support library and information services to widen the
beneficiary base.
To accomplish this mission the Association seeks to:
encourage
the establishment, improvement and promotion of libraries and information
services
improve
the standards of library and information practice
enable
its members to achieve and maintain the highest professional standards.
uphold standards of professional and
ethical conduct expected of members of
the Association namely:
·
to facilitate access to materials and information in order
to meet the requirements of the client, irrespective of the member's personal
interests and views;
·
to maintain competence and keep abreast of developments in
relevant areas of professional practice;
·
to respect confidentiality in dealings with clients;
·
to appreciate the member's primary responsibility to the client, the public
interest, and the maintenance of professional standards;
·
to strive to be directly involved in national development
activities
·
to enhance, maintain and guard the good standing and
reputation of the profession and the Association.
The vision of the
Association is to become a vibrant society with a say in public policy matters
affecting information and knowledge acquisition, storage retrieval and
dissemination and also to be the leader in advocating access to information
without barriers.
Despite the
multiplicity of skills and roles that librarians and information specialists
possess, they hold some common values. The values of a profession are the
distillation of the experience and knowledge of generations of women and men
who served their community and their users. It was their experience that formed
our values. To be meaningful, the values must be applicable to every type of
librarian and information specialist. Ideally, it should also be applicable to
those librarians and information specialists who have entered other fields. It
must also be concise enough to be remembered, and clear enough to be understood
over the course of time. Most of all, it must be inspiring enough to affect and
influence all those who commit themselves to it. By pledging ourselves to these values, we gain a greater
understanding of our role in society, and society gains a clearer understanding
of the importance of the library and information science profession
The Botswana Library
Association therefore advance the following value statements. The value
statements are organised around the headings of Service, the Public, the Profession and self.
Equitable, free and open access
We recognize
equitable, free and open access to all forms of information as fundamental to a
democratic society
Quality service free from
discrimination:
We value quality
service to the clients which is free from discrimination
Freedom of expression
We value freedom of expression and the free flow of ideas as
the foundation of our democracy
Respect for the individuality and
the diversity of all people
We value respect for
the individual's need for privacy, confidentiality, and the right of access to
library and information services and resources regardless of race, creed,
national origin, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, or any other
distinguishing factor.
Treatment of users without bias
We respect each
individual’s right to information and therefore assist all users in their quest
for information to the best of our capability without fear or favour.
Connection of people to ideas
We guide the seeker
in defining and refining the search; we foster intellectual inquiry; we nurture
communication in all forms and formats.
The Profession
Commitment to information
provision for leisure, literacy and learning
We aid people to become independent lifelong
learners by selecting and offering materials that support the differing needs
of all learners, and that entertain and delight the human spirit.
Preservation of the human record
We support
preservation of the cultural memory of humankind and its many families, its
stories, its expertise, its history, and its evolved wisdom so it may
illuminate the present and make the future possible.
Formation of partnerships to
advance these values
We believe in the
interdependence of libraries and librarians and advocate collaboration in all
areas and between all types of libraries, knowing that collections and services
evolve successfully through such collaboration.
Opportunities for networking
We value all
forms of opportunities for networking
including seminars, workshops, conferences and individual collaborations. We
encourage members to create and nurture all networks established particularly
between members but also between other professionals beyond our association.
Safe and stimulating work
environment
We value staffs’
happiness as a foundation to a satisfied customer base. We, therefore recognise
the need for conducive, safe and stimulating working environment, which fosters
communication, teamwork, staff development and tolerance for cultural
diversity.