There's Power in Numbers!
Up until 2004 if you joined the California Library Association (CLA), you could only elect to be a part of a "Literacy Roundtable." However, after a successful statewide membership drive, the Literacy Roundtable membership reached 150 and we were "promoted to the status of Literacy Section" on a par with the Reference Section and the Children and Young Adult Services Section. But now we have to keep our numbers up so we can maintain our new status and WE NEED YOUR HELP!
So, with apologies to David Letterman, here are the:
TOP 10 Reasons Why You Should Join CLA and the CLA Literacy Section!
10. Being an integral part of a librarian's organization like CLA enhances the credibility of literacy services with other library staff. It makes literacy feel more like a "regular library service," and not a grant or a fad that will go away.
9. CLA is a collective voice for libraries, and therefore, for literacy services. Because we are a “Section” of CLA, we can send a representative to CLA's Legislative Committee. Concrete results include getting a statement about literacy into the State Legislature’s Resolution about libraries (for the first time!), and literacy materials inserted into the packet that went to all California Legislators (even yours!) on CLA's Legislative Day.
8. As a result of these activities, Literacy has now come to the attention of CLA's paid lobbyists and we are now on their "radar screen." If at some point, we need legislative assistance, we have that accessible to us through CLA.
7. As a Section, Literacy is provided with a "slot" on other key committees, including the CLA Assembly, where CLA’s strategic direction is discussed and established. Our representative to the Assembly can be part of that conversation and can make our needs and issues heard.
6. As a Section, we get to have a member on the Conference Planning Committee. As a result of section efforts, more workshops of interest to literacy professionals are being offered at the annual conference then ever before and a "Literacy Track" has been established.
5. We have been invited to present our Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy Award at the CLA annual conference, thus raising literacy awareness for librarians while rewarding librarians for supporting literacy as a part of their daily work.
4. When you join CLA, a portion of your membership goes to the Literacy Section to support activities. The Section Board has already discussed the potential for producing professional development opportunities for Section members.
3. By working through CLA, the mainstream organization for library staff, we help ensure the future of literacy services in California's public libraries.
2. The CLA Annual Conference and the regular activities of the Literacy Section give you the chance to network with your colleagues from around the state.
1. By joining CLA you are investing in yourself and your career. Oh, and did we mention that your CLA membership is a tax write-off?
Visit the Membership webpage to find a CLA membership form - it's quick and easy!