A Short History of The Library Association

As it approaches its Centenary in 1977, the Association can look back on a history of eventual triumph over persistent penury and apathy during its first fifty years, and over the country's worst economic depression, the Second World War and its aftermath in the period since 1928. The story of its successes and failures leading to its present dominant role as the controlling body for the profession in the United Kingdom is told in outline. It is the second oldest national library association in the world and, like Britain's postage stamps, it carries no country of origin in its title.