What is CHLA?

Mission

The mission of the Canadian Health Libraries Association / Association des bibliothèques de la santé du Canada is to improve health and health care by promoting excellence in access to information.

Past and Present

Established in 1976, CHLA/ABSC grew out of the efforts of the Canadian Group of the Medical Library Association and the Canadian Association of Special Libraries and Information Services. Today, CHLA is a professional organization of approximately 400 individuals in the health sciences library field in Canada.

"CHLA/ABSC 25 Years On," reproduced from the Winter 2000 issue of Bibliotheca Medica Canadiana, gives a historical look at the formation and first 25 years of the association. The new millenium afforded CHLA/ABSC a chance to survey its membership in order to shape the future direction of the association.

Through its programs and publications CHLA/ABSC encourages the professional development of its members whose foremost concern is the dissemination of health sciences information to those in research, education and patient care.

Statement of Values

CHLA/ABSC members believe that informed decisions should be based on the best knowledge available. We provide timely, relevant, and accurate information to our user communities. We provide leadership and expertise in developing, managing and accessing knowledge-based resources of the highest quality. We promote equitable access to these resources for all health care practitioners in Canada. We are committed to improving health and health care in Canada.

• Our members exercise their responsibilities with integrity, objectivity and accountability.
• We continuously improve and update our professional knowledge and skills.
• We advocate and promote the knowledge and skills of our profession.
• We promote collaboration by encouraging partnerships, communicating and networking with individuals and organizations with similar missions.

CHLA/ABSC / MLA CODE OF ETHICS

Canadian Preamble

The Canadian Health Libraries Association and the Medical Library Association acknowledge the importance of a shared code of ethics to promote the values of health sciences librarianship throughout North America.

CHLA/ABSC is committed to providing and developing resources which promote excellence in health and healthcare and support continuous learning. In doing so, members call upon their own expertise and judgement to provide the best information available to their clients. Members exercise the highest level of professional commitment and uphold the following MLA code of ethics in their pursuit of excellence.

Code of Ethics for Health Sciences Librarianship

Goals and Principles for Ethical Conduct

The health sciences librarian believes that knowledge is the sine qua non of informed decisions in health care, education, and research and the health sciences librarian serves society, clients, and the institution by working to ensure that informed decisions can be made.

Society

The health sciences librarian promotes access to health information for all and creates and maintains conditions of freedom of inquiry, thought, and expression that facilitate informed health care decisions.

Clients

• The health sciences librarian works without prejudice to meet the client's information needs.
• The health sciences librarian respects the privacy of clients and protects the confidentiality of the client relationship.
• The health sciences librarian ensures that the best available information is provided to the client.

Institution

The health sciences librarian provides leadership and expertise in the design, development and ethical management of knowledge-based information systems that meet the information needs and obligations of the institution.

Profession

• The health sciences librarian advances and upholds the philosophy and ideals of the profession.
• The health sciences librarian advocates and advances the knowledge and standards of the profession.
• The health sciences librarian conducts all professional relationships with courtesy and respect.
• The health sciences librarian maintains high standards of professional integrity.

Self

The health sciences librarian assumes personal responsibility for developing and maintaining professional excellence.