Founding Organisations
The need for a European association of libraries was first expressed during the IFLA conference in Brighton in 1987. Then in 1990, the UK Library Association organised a meeting in London.
A working group was set up in 1991 to create a new European organisation for library, information and documentation associations in the member states of the European Community to represent and defend library interests in European affairs, especially in view of EC legislation and actions which affected libraries e.g. Directives on the rental and lending right and the legal protection of databases, action plans for libraries and culture. EBLIDA acts as a communication channel between members and the European Commission and other European institutions.
The founding organisations were:
- Association des bibliothécaires et documentalistes spécialisés (ADBS), France
[ABDS adopted the new name of "Association des professionnels de l'information et de la documentation" in 1993, in recognition of the broadening scope of the profession.]
- Bundesvereinigung Deutscher Bibliotheksverbände (BDB), Germany
[Name change took place in 2004. New name Bibliothek & Information Deutschland (BID).]
- Danmarks Biblioteksforening, Denmark
- Enosis Ellenon Bibliothekarion, Greece
- Fédération des Associations de Documentalistes Bibliothécaires de l’Education Nationale (FADBEN), France
- Institute of Information Scientists (IIS), UK
- The Library Association (LA), UK
[Current name: CILIP, Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, formed following the unification of the Institute of Information Scientists (IIS) and the Library Association (LA).
- Nederlands Bibliotheek en Lektuur Centrum (NBLC), Netherlands
[Current name: VOB, Vereniging van Openbare Bibliotheken, Netherlands Public Library Association]
NEWS
European Parliament Hearing:
22 March 2023: The future of the European book sector Read more >Press Release: Handbook on comparative e-lending policies in Europe
16 March 2023: Published now by the EBLIDA EGIL Group of Experts. (Expert Group on Information Law). Read more >EBLIDA Newsletter March 2023
09 March 2023: Read about Library Legislation and E-Lending Policy in Europe, E-Relevance, RL:EU, A new tool for Partnership Matching for EU-funded Projects, Sustainable Development and Libraries and more... Read more >EBLIDA Newsletter February 2023
15 February 2023: Are you willing to help us, so we can support you best? And information on EBLIDA Conference. Read more >EBLIDA sends condolences to Türkiye and Syria
10 February 2023: Our hearts and minds are with those affected. Read more >