| Oklahoma Library Association | |
| Abbreviation: | OLA |
| Formation: | 1907 |
| Type: | Non-profit |
| Purpose: | "To strengthen the quality of libraries, library services and librarianship in Oklahoma."[1] |
| Leader Title2: | President |
| Leader Name2: | Dana Belcher |
| Website: | OLA Website |
The Oklahoma Library Association (OLA) is a non-profit organization that promotes libraries and library services and provides professional development for library personnel in the state of Oklahoma. OLA is a chapter of both the American Library Association and the Mountain Plains Library Association.[2] OLA hosts workshops throughout the year and holds an Annual Conference.[3] OLA is the official sponsor of the Sequoyah Book Award, the third oldest U.S. state children's choice award. [4]
OLA was formed on May 16, 1907 by a small group of librarians from the University of Oklahoma and nearby normal schools as well as public libraries. The meeting was hosted by the now-defunct Carnegie Library in downtown Oklahoma City.[5] These librarians were interested in forming a statewide library association to ensure the "statewide extension of tax-supported library service" and "to explore a more economical way of transporting...books."[6]
OLA has sponsored the Read Y'all celebrity poster literacy campaign and the Mildred Laughlin Festival of Books.[7] [8] [9] OLA used to publish a newsletter called Oklahoma Librarian, which ceased in 2018. [10]