PLA was founded in 1957 at Karachi and registered under the societies Act XXI of 1860. The PLA also act as a liaison between national and internation organizations with similar aims and objectives.

1. Promote the better organization of libraries by arranging technical advice and assistance to library authorities.
2. Improve study and research in library and information science and to disseminate information about current trends, theories and practices in the field of librarianship.
3. Improve the status and professional standing of library professional and to safeguard their intrests.
4. For such other ends as well as further the cause of libraries and librarians of Pakistan.

A group of persons of similar trade and business get together and choose a common platform to achieve their desired goals and objectives. They pool their energies, time and money to compel authorities to consider their genuine demands and redress their grievances. In all trades, professions and business, people have been adopting legal course of action by forming Associations, Societies, Clubs and Groups. The librarians who belong to a noble profession of educationists and researchers also adopted the same course and followed the same tradition of civilized societies. They organized local, regional and national associations. Pakistan Library Association (PLA) is the representative body of the librarians in the country. This Association is responsible to look after the interests of the professional librarians and to work for the development and improvement of libraries both in formal and informal sectors of education and research.