Interest Groups
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Interest groups enable CLA members to come together around common interests. An interest group might be organized around a type of library, type of activity, a special interest, or a geographic area.
As of July 1, 2009, CLA Sections and Round Tables transitioned to becoming Interest Groups. For more information on this transition, please read the Transition Tool Kit. Below is a list of former Sections and Roundtables that will continue as Interest Groups.
Interest Groups
- Academic - Provides a forum for the interest and concerns of anyone employed by or interested in academic libraries. Visit their website.
- African American Librarians - Supports efforts to eradicate inequities that affect minorities, functions as an ombudsman for African American librarians, promotes library and information services to African Americans, evaluates the quality of published materials concerning African Americans.
- Chinese American Librarians - Promotes better communication among Chinese American librarians, and serves as a discussion forum for professional concerns among Chinese American librarians.
- Collection Development - Provides a forum for the exchange of information, ideas, and experiences on any aspect of collection development and of collection management.
- Library Accessibility - Provides a forum for support and assistance to library professionals serving inmates; disabled community; shut-ins; bookmobile patrons; or any population restricted by physical or geographical barriers. Sign up for their discussion list.
- Library History - Generates interest in and appreciation of the roles Californians played in the development of the American library as a civic, cultural and educational institution, and in the establishment of librarianship and information science as recognized professions.
- Literacy - Advances the practice and support of literacy activities in libraries. Visit their website.
- Management Services - Promotes excellence in the management, administration, and governance of libraries in California. Visit their website.
- Marketing and Public Relations - Recognizes critical role of marketing and public relations in the success and survival of libraries and acknowledges the need to increase visibility.
- Public Library - Provides a forum for all members interested in public libraries and public librarianship to share ideas and to promote the development and improvement of public library services and public librarianship. Visit their website.
- Reference - Stimulates and promotes the education and growth of reference and information personnel and supports the development of user-oriented library services. Visit their website.
- Services to Latinos - Supports and advocates quality library services to the Latino population of California. Sign up for their discussion list.
- Student Round Table - Provides formal and informal networking and professional development opportunities for current and recent library students. Visit their website.
- Technical Services - Provides a forum for librarians and support staff to explore and discuss interests and concerns affecting the operation of technical services activities in libraries. Visit their website.
- Youth Services - Provides a forum for all members interested in issues related to staff development and other children's services and young adult library services. Visit their website.
Below is a list of former Sections and Roundtables that, until further notice, will not continue as an Interest Group:
- Gay and Lesbian Interests - Provides networking opportunities for gay/lesbian librarians, and promotes the wealth of gay and lesbian information available in California's libraries.
- Government Publications - Disseminates information about the availability of and means of access to information produced by federal and California state government agencies.
- Information Technology - Promotes the beneficial application of information technologies in libraries of all types. Visit their website.
- Intellectual Freedom - Will continue as a CLA Working Committee. Supports and encourages proactive efforts among its members to eliminate barriers to intellectual freedom and promotes the exercise and understanding of intellectual freedom in their own communities.
- Native Libraries - Provides a forum for networking between tribal librarians, Native American librarians and others with shared interests, and advocates on behalf of tribal libraries on the local, state and national level for legislation, funding and other issues.
To join an Interest Group, please select them when you join CLA or renew your membership with us. Currently, there is no limit to the amount of Interest Groups that you may join. If you are a current member and wish to add an Interest Group to your membership, contact the CLA office.