The Ontario Library Association (OLA) was established in 1900 and is the oldest continually operating library association in Canada. With over 4,000 members, OLA is also the largest library association in Canada and among the 10 largest library associations in North America. The stated purpose of the OLA is to "give profile to the librarians, library workers and trustees in the school, college, university, public and special libraries of Ontario and to foster provincial programs that will improve library services in the institutions and communities our members serve and that will ensure equitable access to information for all citizens of the province."

History

Founded in 1900, the OLA was formed after a meeting of the American Library Association held that same year in Montreal, where it was decided that a Canadian association was not currently practical. Between 2006 and 2013, the OLA's office was at 50 Wellington Street, Toronto, Ontario. In 2013, the OLA moved to 2 Toronto Street, then to Danforth Avenue in 2021, and to 192 Spadina Avenue in 2023.

Structure and leadership

The OLA has seven divisions: Each division is headed by a president and elected council, and past division presidents serve on the OLA board of directors. The board of directors also includes the Executive Director and the executive committee, composed of the president, vice -president, past president, and treasurer.

Affiliates

The OLA is affiliated with:

Events and programs

The OLA runs several programs, services, and events. Three of its most prominent are the Forest of Reading program, the Library Marketplace, and the OLA Super Conference.

Forest of Reading

OLA's Forest of Reading is Canada's largest recreational reading program, which has grown to ten reading programs since the early 1990s. More than 270,000 readers participate annually from their school and/or public libraries. The Forest award winners are chosen by votes cast by readers in the target age ranges for each of the specific book categories. Award winners are announced annually at the Forest of Reading Festival in Toronto. The stated goals of the Forest of Reading are: The ten awards offered under the Forest of Reading umbrella are:

Library Marketplace/OLA Press

The Library Marketplace is the official store of the OLA and supports the OLA's position as the Canadian agent for twelve major professional library publishers and the International Literacy Association. The OLA also operates the OLA Press, which publishes books, reports, and governance information for the OLA.

OLA Super Conference

Begun in 1902 as the OLA's annual conference, the event was rebranded in 1995 as the Super Conference. Super Conference is the largest continuing education event in librarianship. The Super Conference also includes within it Canada's largest library trade show. The event is held annually in Toronto, Ontario.

OLA Presidents