The association was responding to questions from the Otago Daily Times this week.
President Heather Lamond said the association ''does not accept that there will not be a drop in the standard of library services'' if the proposed changes go ahead.
Wanaka residents protesting this week have claimed a drop in service levels would require public consultation but the council has maintained the restructuring will not reduce services.
The council proposes reducing the number of librarians and also turning the Wanaka and Queenstown libraries into one-stop shops for customers wanting to carry out other council business.
Ms Lamond said ''de-professionalising'' library positions would degrade services.
''As digitalisation increases, the need for equitable access to information will become more relevant in the future and there will be a critical need for trained and skilled library staff for councils to maintain a knowledge society.''
The council's consultation document, given to staff last week, suggests disestablishing its three library management jobs and establishing ''service centre manager'' roles, as well as a ''head librarian'' position.
Ms Lamond said it was not unusual for libraries and service centres to be run together.
''The key issue is to ensure that professional tasks are carried out by trained, experienced librarians. Input from professional librarians at a strategic and managerial level is crucial if Queenstown Lakes library services are to continue to develop and provide a first class information environment.''
The consultation document refers to Australian standards when referring to proposed changes to the Queenstown and Wanaka libraries.
The document notes an Australian recommended minimum of one library staff member per 3000 of population.
The New Zealand standard, set in 2004, is for one library staff member per 2000.
Asked why the council used an Australian standard, chief executive Adam Feeley said the review would have used the New Zealand standard as well ''but it proved elusive''.
He would be happy to have it included in the final report.
''I do note however that the Australian guidelines are from 2012 and the Lianz ones are from 2004.
''A lot has changed in the world of libraries in the eight-year intervening period.''
Ms Lamond said a working group had started a review of the New Zealand standards.
Asked if it was appropriate for a local authority to use an Australian standard, Ms Lamond said there could not be a single ''formula model'' or standard to determine total staff numbers.
''As a general rule, the smaller the population base, the more staff per capita will be required to give an adequate service.''
She was unaware of any other local authority in New Zealand using the Australian standard.
