About NAHLA

NAHLA, a chapter of the Canadian Health Libraries Association, exists to provide a forum for networking among librarians, library technicians and others interested in health libraries and health information. If you would like to join, please fill out and return a membership form. To contact us, send an email to

NAHLA Executive (2008-2009)

Past Executives (1985-2008)

A Brief History of NAHLA

Compiled by the NAHLA History Group 2008

The Northern Alberta Health Libraries Association held its inaugural meeting in January 1985, one month prior to being granted official chapter status from CHLA/ABSC.

From the outset, NAHLA was an active group. Initially, there was heavy interest in the political environment, with group members submitting letters and briefs to local MPs. Focus later shifted towards provision of educational opportunities for members. Though a wide range of speakers had been invited to speak at NAHLA events over the years, the institution of the TRENDS mini-conference and the formalization of the Leading Edge series of workshops further confirmed the Association’s emphasis on professional development.

This focus on development has extended beyond NAHLA’s membership into the local library community. Through its financial support of such events as the School of Library and Information Studies’ Partner’s Week celebration and Professional Development day, and the sponsorship of two SLIS students to attend the annual TRENDS mini-conference, NAHLA has provided encouragement for library school students and exposed them to the specialty of health sciences librarianship. NAHLA’s efforts to build capacity are also evident in the recent collaboration with SAHLA and HKN, the result of which was a well-attended health science symposium.

Since its inception, NAHLA members have been involved in a variety of special projects. These have included publication of the Union List of Serials of the Northern Alberta Health Libraries Association in 1988 (with four subsequent editions over the next 10 years), planning of the 1990 and 2003 CHLA/ABSC conferences, publication of Consumer Health Information: a directory of resources in Edmonton and area in 1997 and 2000, and most recently the NAHLA History Working Group project to document the Association’s history.

NAHLA’s achievements to date have been considerable, and we look forward to continued success in the years to come!

For a complete history, read the Working group's article published in the June 2008 issue of JCHLA.