The Catholic Library Association is an international membership organization, providing its members professional development through educational and networking experiences, publications, scholarships, and other services. The Catholic Library Association coordinates the exchange of ideas, provides a source of inspirational support and guidance in ethical issues related to librarianship, and offers fellowship for those who seek, serve, preserve, and share the word in all its forms. The Catholic Library Association has previously hosted biannual conventions and conferences for the honoring of award recipients and presentations by speakers.
History
The Catholic Library Association began in 1921, as a section of the
National Catholic Educational Association
The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) is a private, professional educational membership association of over 150,000 educators in Catholic schools, universities, and religious education programs. It is the largest such organization ...
. Rev. Paul J. Foik, CSC, of
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac, known simply as Notre Dame ( ) or ND, is a private Catholic university, Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, outside the city of South Bend, Indiana, South Bend. French priest Edward Sorin fo ...
, was chair. It became an independent organization in 1929. Francis E. Fitzgerald was the first president (1929-1931).
The Association celebrated its Golden anniversary at its Cincinnati conference in 1971. The Centennial was marked in 2021 with an article in ''Catholic Library World'' which highlighted milestones such as Catholic Book Week, collaborative efforts with the Catholic Research Resources Alliance, and conference speakers.
The Catholic Library Association is an affiliate of the
American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with 49,727 members ...
.
Publications
*''Catholic Library World''
* ''Catholic Periodical and Literature Index'' established in 1933. Continued after 2011 by the American Theological Library Association.
* ''Parish Library Resource Guide: An Annotated Bibliography.''
* ''A Handbook for Church Librarians.''
* ''Developing the Library Collection: A Workbook of Policies and Resources.''
Awards
*
Regina Medal
The Regina Medal is a literary award conferred annually by the U.S.-based Catholic Library Association. It recognizes one living person for "continued, distinguished contribution to children's literature without regard to the nature of the contri ...
est. 1959, recognizes one living person for "continued, distinguished contribution to children's literature without regard to the nature of the contribution." Regina Award Medalists include
Anne Carroll Moore
Anne Carroll Moore (July 12, 1871 – January 20, 1961) was an American educator, writer and advocate for children's libraries.
She was named Annie after an aunt, and officially changed her name to Anne in her fifties, to avoid confusion with Ann ...
,
Augusta Baker
Augusta Braxton Baker (April 1, 1911 – February 23, 1998) was an American librarian and storyteller. She was known for her contributions to children's literature, especially regarding the portrayal of Black Americans in works for children.
...
Tomie dePaola
Thomas Anthony "Tomie" dePaola (; September 15, 1934 – March 30, 2020) was an American writer and illustrator who created more than 260 children's books, such as ''Strega Nona''. He received the Children's Literature Legacy Award for his lifetim ...
Eric Carle
Eric Carle (June 25, 1929 – May 23, 2021) was an American author, designer and illustrator of children's books. His picture book '' The Very Hungry Caterpillar'', first published in 1969, has been translated into more than 66 languages and sol ...
.
*St.
Katharine Drexel
Katharine Drexel, SBS (born Catherine Mary Drexel; November 26, 1858 – March 3, 1955) was an American heiress, philanthropist, religious sister, educator, and foundress of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. She was the second person born ...
Award est. 1966, recognizes an outstanding contribution to the growth of high school librarianship.
*John Brubaker Award est. 1978, to recognize an outstanding work of literary merit, considered on the basis of its significant interest to the library profession which was published in ''Catholic Library World.'' Tim Senapatiratne, director of the Spencer Library at the
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (United) is an ecumenical graduate school, historically rooted in the United Church of Christ and located in St. Paul, Minnesota. The school was formed in 1962 with the merger of Mission House Semin ...
received the 2021-2022 John Brubaker Award for “What is Metaliteracy?: Using the Concepts of Metaliteracy in Theological Librarianship.”
*Aggiornamento Award, est. 1980, is presented by the Parish and Community Library Services Section in recognition of an outstanding contribution made by an individual or an organization for the renewal of parish and community life in the spirit of
Pope John XXIII
Pope John XXIII ( la, Ioannes XXIII; it, Giovanni XXIII; born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, ; 25 November 18813 June 1963) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 28 October 1958 until his death in June 19 ...
(1881-1963).
*Jerome Award, est. 1992, is presented by the Academic Libraries, Archives, and Library Education Section in recognition of outstanding contribution and commitment to excellence in scholarship which embody the ideals of the Catholic Library Association. It is named after St.
Jerome
Jerome (; la, Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus; grc-gre, Εὐσέβιος Σωφρόνιος Ἱερώνυμος; – 30 September 420), also known as Jerome of Stridon, was a Christian priest, confessor, theologian, and historian; he is co ...
, Doctor of the Church (331-420), patron of librarians.
*Philip F. Neau Memorial Award est. 2007, is presented biennially by the Children’s Library Services Section to a member, past or current, of the Section for their outstanding contributions while members of the Section.
*Mary A. Grant Volunteer Service Award est. 1996, is presented to a CLA member for their exceptional volunteer service to the Association. This award is presented by the CLA executive board.
*Charlotte Decker Award is an annual award presented to an outstanding member of the Children’s Library Services Section or the High School/Young Adult Library Services Section.
Scholarships and Grants
* The Heritage Fund provides funding for an expansion of services and growth for the association.
* John T. Corrigan, CFX Memorial Continuing Education Grant, re-established in 2008, is intended to support chapters of the association in their continued offering of educational opportunities for members.
Marquette University
Marquette University () is a private Jesuit research university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Established by the Society of Jesus as Marquette College on August 28, 1881, it was founded by John Martin Henni, the first Bishop of the diocese of M ...