The Ex Libris Association's stated purpose is to provide a forum and serve as a voice for those interested in the history and current state of librarianship, Canadian libraries, and archives. ELA seeks to contribute to an understanding of Canadian libraries, archives, and publishing in order to support persons and initiatives that bring attention to significant issues affecting the provision and advancement of information services in Canada and in developing countries.

ELA goals and objectives remain constant in their focus on the collection, preservation and dissemination of materials, particularly historical documents, about information institutions and their workers. However as times change, our goals have broadened to exploit new technologies and to recognize new issues. Our objectives are:

■ To provide a forum for interested individuals to stimulate the recollection and publication of the history of Canadian librarianship.
■ To provide a vehicle for the collection of oral histories related to library history in Canada.
■ To identify and ensure collection of materials related to library history in Canada which are not at present collected, organized, or preserved by any other organization.
■ To encourage persons and institutions possessing archival materials related to library history in Canada to preserve and publicize their holdings.
■ To keep members informed on current developments and issues in libraries and librarianship in Canada.
■ To serve as a voice for retired librarians on important library-related issues on which they would wish to be heard.
■ To publish a Newsletter performing the following functions: to inform members of activities of individuals and institutions in the field of librarianship; to discuss issues concerning libraries and librarians; to record matters of interest in the history and development of libraries and the library profession.

For the list of the members of the executive board and the standing committees.

Diane Henderson's overview of ELA's history describes the association's beginnings, events, and achievements that led to its growing presence as a national association with serious scholarly and social interests.

Membership is open to all interested parties, but is primarily drawn from the ranks of retired

• librarians
• library technicians
• library consultants
• archivists
• records managers
• information technologists
• those who have worked or are working in or with libraries, archives, museums: e.g., genealogists, historians, teachers
• any who have worked in publishing enterprises

ELA members enjoy meeting other people of similar interests through our meetings, especially the annual general meeting and conference, through our projects, through this website, and through our newsletter, ELAN, which is free with membership.