The main objective of the Canadian Library Association/Association canadienne des bibliothèques committee system is to accomplish work that furthers the goals and objectives of the Association, as outlined in the Strategic Plan, and to provide members with an opportunity to participate in the affairs of the Association.

CLA/ACB Committees are of four types, defined below

A Standing Committee is a committee with long-term objectives so closely interwoven with the program and development of policy of the Association and/or its Divisions that it should have a continuing life.

• Awards Committee
• CLA/ACB - Information Today Award Committee
• Participation Committee
• Conference Program Committee
• Continuing Professional Development
• Elections Committee
• Finance Committee
• Advisory Committee on Intellectual Freedom
• Copyright Committee
• Intellectual Property and Public Access
  • Information Policy Working Group
  • International Trade Treaties Working Group
• Ken Haycock Award Committee
• Member Communications Advisory Committee
• Standing Committee on CLA/ACB Nominations
• Standing Committee on Research and Development
• Standing Committee on CLA/ACB Resolutions
• Scholarships Committee

A Task Force is a committee appointed to carry out a specific project or to study specific aspects of policy, planning or administration, within a specified time period (usually defined as within a fiscal/membership year). The life of a Task Force ceases at the end of that specified time or at the conclusion of the project or study.

• Open Access Task Force
• Initiative for Equitable Library Access (IELA)

Divisional Committees are the responsibility of the Divisions.

• Canadian Association for School Libraries
• Canadian Association of College and University Libraries
• Canadian Association of Public Libraries
• Canadian Association of Special Libraries & Information Services
• Canadian Library Trustees' Association

A Joint Committee develops and carries out programs of mutual interest, exchanges information, or discusses matters of mutual concern with an organization or organizations outside CLA/ACB.