There are three clear broad memberships namely professional, para-professional and institutional. Membership is acquired by registration into the following six categories;

1. Fellow
2. Chartered member
3. Associate member
4. Student member
5. Retired member
6. Life member
7. Ordinary member

Annual membership fees for 2015 are as follows:

1. Fellow - GH¢225.00
2. Chartered member - GH¢150.00
3. Associate member - GH¢75.00
4. Student member - GH¢18.00
5. Retired member on contract - pays half the membership of the category s/he was in
6. Institutional member - GH¢300.00

Individuals can download a membership form here. 

Institutions can download a membership form here.

• To ensure the maintenance of a high standard of professional practice and conduct.
• To promote and safeguard the professional interest of librarians and information professionals.
• To encourage personal development and research into librarianship and information science.
• To be instrumental in promoting the establishment and development of library and information services, bibliographical work and library co-operation.
• To unite all librarians and institutions in Ghana interested in libraries, information centres, librarianship and information science.

The aims of the Ghana Library Association are:

• To be a rallying point for all library and information professionals
• To promote the highest quality of library and information practice
• To provide leadership support for professionals and libraries
• To provide continuous professional education to its members

The Ghana Library Association (GLA) was founded in 1962 as an offshoot of the West African Library Association (WALA). After the independence of the Anglophone West African countries the main regional body (WALA) began to suffer as each country began to concentrate on its internal national affairs. This in part caused the disintegration of WALA.