About
CAPAL is a national membership association representing the interests of professional academic librarians in relation to the areas of education, standards, professional practice, ethics, and core principles. CAPAL differs from other library associations in that it is an advocacy group focused on the individual and the profession. Like other academic associations, we aim to work collaboratively with local, provincial and national organizations currently working on behalf of librarians and libraries.
Contact
The best way to contact us is at capalibrarians@gmail.com
Our mailing address is:
Canadian Association of Professional Academic Librarians
PO Box 19606 MANULIFE
Toronto, On M4W 3T9
Canada
Non-Profit Organization and Constitution
CAPAL was incorporated on June 12, 2013. Here is a link to a pdf copy of the CAPAL BYLAWS
Background History
CAPAL has evolved in response to the challenges academic librarians have faced in recent years. The recent, pivotal catalyst for forming this association was the national response organizers received to the symposium “Academic Librarianship: A Crisis or Opportunity” held at the University of Toronto on November 18, 2011. The response was overwhelming and the message clear: the concerns of academic librarians were not being addressed.
A core working group began to review the terrain and explore what would be required to create such an organization. Discussions continued through 2012, with the core group gradually expanding to include other participants across Canada.
Notes:
Diane Grandfield, Mary Kandiuk, H. Sonne de Torrens, “Academic Librarianship: A Crisis or an Opportunity” Partnership: the Canadian Journal of Library and Information Practice and Research, vol.6, no.2 (2011): pp.1-6.
View this post in: French
2012/12/19 @ 4:22 pm
Are professional academic librarians working in non degree granting post-secondary institutions ie community colleges welcome in this new association or is it limited to those working in the university setting?
2012/12/20 @ 5:45 pm
Hello. Many have been asking this question. We have posted a response on the FAQ page of the website. Thank you for your interest. Harriet.
2012/12/19 @ 4:29 pm
Since this will be a national organization, are there plans to translate the website to French?
2012/12/20 @ 5:43 pm
Thank you for your interest and good question. We are slowly getting to the various questions. It would be great to have a bilingual site. Would you be willing to assist with this? Our current website is temporary. Let us know. Best, Harriet
2015/11/11 @ 3:13 pm
Indeed, a bilingual approach would be an asset.
Peut-être pouvons-nous commencer par la création d’un comité qui verrait à amorcer le travail en ce sens?