BCLA supports the ongoing acquisition of skills and knowledge for personal and professional development and for career advancement. The Association identifies, communicates, and organizes opportunities to enhance the competencies and experiences of the membership. Professional development builds capacity to engage change and meet challenges.
The BC Library Association offers 2 scholarships for the annual BC Library Conference: The Alice Bacon Professional Development Award and the Ken Haycock Student Conference Award. Applications usually open mid-February. Subscribe to the BCLA Main Discussion in Branches: BCLA’s Online Forum to ensure you don’t miss the announcement.
The BC Library Association does not offer general educational scholarships; please check directly with the school you are considering to see what opportunities may be available. For a list of schools with library education programs in BC, please see our Careers page.
Professional Development Opportunities
BC Library Conference
BCLA offers an annual conference where library staff can learn, connect, and share. BCLA members are eligible to attend at a reduced rate. Find out more about the conference!
Conference Scholarships
The BC Library Association offers two scholarships for the annual BC Library Conference. Applications usually open mid-February. Subscribe to Branches: BCLA’s Online Forum to ensure you don’t miss any announcements.
The Education Institute
Launched in 2002, the Education Institute was designed for the library community by The Partnership of Provincial and Territorial Library Associations of Canada. It offers professional development and continuing education programming, primarily via half-day virtual conferences with a focus on a special theme or topic. BCLA members are eligible to attend at member rates.
Other Provincial & Territorial Library Associations’ Conferences
Through BCLA’s participation in The Partnership, Canada’s national network of provincial and territorial library associations, BCLA members are eligible to attend other provincial and territorial library conferences at member rates.
Librarianship.ca maintains an extensive list of conferences and professional development opportunities of interest to library professionals across Canada. The list includes international, national, regional, provincial, and local events in Canada; international and national events in the United States; and selected international events outside North America.
Section, Committee, and Interest Group Webinars and Events
BCLA sections, committees, and interest groups coordinate and offer a variety of webinars and events to support learning and development. Watch for announcements on Branches: BCLA’s Online Forum.
Information on upcoming events, as well as recordings and other materials from select past professional development opportunities, can be found in Continuing Education Resources & Recordings.