Library organisations

Finnish organisations

The Finnish Library Association was established in 1910 and has about 2,000 personal members, most working in public libraries. The finnish library association is a professional body, not a trade union and also accepts non-librarians as members. The association is a member of IFLA and EBLIDA, collaborates in Nordic and Baltic ventures, has more and more international activities. The assicoation publishes a monthly journal called Kirjastolehti.

Finlands svenska biblioteksförening FSBF, Finland’s Swedish Library association is a non-governmental organization, with responsibility for Finno-Swedish library issues. The association has about 400 members. FSBF aims at supporting the Finno-Swedish identity and culture in libraries, in both Swedish speaking and bilingual settings. The association brings together different types of libraries, e. g. public libraries, academic and research libraries and the libraries of universities of applied sciences.

The Finnish Research Library Association promotes the role of libraries in research and education. The Association was established in 1929 and has several active working groups and around 700 members. The association publishes  the journal Signum, published in Finnish 6 times/year.

International organisations

EBLIDA is the European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations, an independent umbrella association of library, information, documentation and archive associations and institutions in Europe. Subjects on which EBLIDA concentrates are European information society issues, including copyright & licensing, culture & education.

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and information profession.

A list of links to library associations around the world published by the IFLA Management of Library Associations Section and ALA (American Library Association).

Nordic co-operation

Nordic government officials responsible for library affairs meet annually to exchange information about national developments and joint projects.

Finnish trade unions (for library and information professionals)

  • Akava – Trade union confederation of university-trained employees.
  • Jyty – The Federation of Public and Private Sector Employees.
  • JHL – Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors.