Presenting historical information in factual text or image formats (such as the 1945 University of Toronto recruitment poster) is a goal of ELA. Because past events have changed the nature of libraries and archives and their users, we know that knowledge of the past can allow us to better understand current issues impacting libraries and how people may change things for the better. Learning about the history of libraries and archives and the people that worked in them is about understanding not just what happened or who were involved, but why. Ex Libris explores history with the thought that a deeper and more lasting perspective of what happened or who participated in change can help us engage more actively with current issues and problems.

Ex Libris members are engaged in developing a collection of biographies and biographical materials of people, a significant part of whose lives was spent in the library, archives, publishing, or related information fields. Currently, there are about 150 biographies. An In Memoriam section on former Ex Libris members is also an ongoing project.

ELAN, the association's biannual newsletter, contains articles and news items of historical interest in almost every issue. Of special interest is the series “Libraries Named after Librarians” authored by Suzette Giles.

A special issues of ELAN published in Summer 2004, edited and prepared by Brian Land, records one hundred years of library education in Canadian universities, colleges, and other post-secondary institutions from 1904 to 2004. This issue was printed and more information on how to acquire a copy is available at this link.

A supplementary section of ELA's website, Chronologies of LIS Education in Canada, 1904–2004, was created to support this education issue of ELAN. In 2020, another special issue outlining the development of library and information studies at the University of Ottawa/Université d’Ottawa was published.

In 1995 ELA published a history of the Canadian Library Association during the tenure of Elizabeth Homer Morton, the CLA executive director from 1946 to 1968.

The Morton Years: the Canadian Library Association, 1946–1971
by Elizabeth Hulse,
with foreword by W. Kaye Lamb.
141 pages, bibliography, index, photographs

The book is available for $10.00 on our “Shop Ex Libris” page.