Being national in scope, the BLA strives to respond to the needs of individual members as well as to the needs of society generally.  Its primary concerns are to promote public awareness relative to the role of the librarian; to promote the use of libraries and their resources within our society; to encourage professional development and consideration within the field of librarianship; and to promote the systematic collection and development of library resources.  Through such endeavors, it is hoped that libraries will be recognized as important and essential to individual and national development, all of which are vital for the sustenance of the cultural, educational and economic life of our society.

As a part of its social responsibility, BLA continues to highlight areas in which it can contribute to solving some of our societal problems and increasing the national literacy rate by supporting and initiating programmess, which might prove attractive to the youth of our nation.  One of the annual projects of the association is Children’s Library Week, which is promoted through primary and secondary schools in both government and private sectors.  The activities of this week highlight not only reading competence, but artistic and creative writing skills as well.   Since September 1991, BLA has also sponsored a monthly reading and story time at the Mall at Marathon.

In 2002, BLA in conjunction with Bahamas Library Service, Ministry of Education and a grant from Cable Bahamas sponsored a Basic Book Binding Workshop with trainers from South Eastern Library Network Inc. (SOLINET).Participants included library workers from all types of libraries in the country. 

In 2003, the Ministry of Education and BLA co-sponsored the first Library Recognition Ceremony at Sandals Hotel on June 13 where the history of library education in The Bahamas was highlighted. Library staff, trustees and educators who excelled in this area were honoured.

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

President:                                 Mrs. Curlean Fernander

Vice President:                         Mrs.  Zella Sturrup    

Secretary:                                 Mrs. Cynthia McKenzie

Treasurer:                                Mrs. Dorcas Bowler

Past Presidents

Mrs. Vanrea Rolle Thomas                          Ex-Officio: Ms. Nellie Brennen

Ms. Willamae Johnson

Mrs. Berthamae Walker