As an individual, you can join either online or by paper. If you wish to join by paper, a printable form is available here, and can be faxed or mailed to the CLA office.

If you represent a business, you can fax or mail a paper form available here.

If you represent a library institution or library system, you may fax or mail a paper form available here (for Calendar-Year memberships) or here (for Fiscal-Year memberships).

CLA has three different membership segments: Personal, Business, and Institutional.

Personal membership is available to those who either provide library services, are library school students, and/or those interested in the development, promotion and improvement of library service. As a Personal Member, you may choose to be a Voting members or a Supporting members. Become a Voting Member of CLA if you are interested in participating in association activities. Become a Supporting Member if you are not working in or for a library but you wish to support CLA's programs.

Business members are professional, commercial vendors who typically sell products which support library operations.

Institutional members are comprised of all types of libraries, and membership is available to libraries outside of California who wish to support CLA. Membership fees are assessed according to the current annual operating expenditures.

The California Library Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. As such, membership is tax-deductible less the cost of a subscription to the Clarion magazine ($20). All membership contributions help support our advocacy efforts, continuing education programs, and Summer Reading Program administration.

Personal Membership Benefits include:
Access to CLA's Online Member Directory, Discounted registration rates at Conference & Spring Fling events, and Subscription to Clarion & California Libraries. Voting members receive these benefits, plus the ability to participate in Interest Groups, vote and/or run in elections, as well as the opportunity to serve on Committees.

Business Membership Benefits include:
Access to CLA’s Online Member Directory, Discount of $50 on exhibit space at our Annual Conference, Priority assignment of exhibit space for Conference, Complimentary CLA member mailing list, Complimentary web link on the CLA website, Advertising discounts in conference programs, the Clarion magazine, and California Libraries, and finally, One free 30-Minute Product Demo Theatre at Conference.

Institutional Membership Benefits include:
Full time legislative advocacy and support on behalf of California’s libraries, Access to CLA’s Online Member Directory, Complimentary web link on the CLA website, Subscription to Clarion and California Libraries, and a 50% Discount on CLA JobMart Postings.

All CLA memberships are valid for one year and are renewable annually. Both Personal and Business members are due for renewal on the anniversary of their date of first joining the Association. However, Institutional members are due for renewal on either January 1 (for CY members) or July 1 (for FY members).

CLA keeps you informed by using multiple communications devices, such as our Blog, Capwiz Legislative Action Center, CALIX listserv, California Libraries monthly e-newsletter, CLARION magazine, and more. For more detailed information on CLA's Communication Tools, please view this printable document.

Their are numerous ways to become more involved in CLA. First, we recommend that you join your peers at CLA's Annual Conference as well as our Spring Fling workshop events. Both provide a great opportunity for networking and professional development. Additionally, you can join and/or create an Interest Group, volunteer for a CLA Committee, run for a Board of Directors position in our annual election, and more! For Committee opportunities, please visit our Committee Volunteer Page. For further information on how you can make a difference as a CLA member, click here.

Conferences

1. When and where are upcoming conferences?

   The 112th Annual CLA Conference & Exhibition is scheduled for November 12th through the 15th, 2010 at the Sacramento Convention Center. For dates on future conferences, please visit our Events Calendar.

    

2. How much will it cost to attend this year's conference?

   The cost of attending the 2010 CLA Conference depends on three factors: when you register, the duration of your attendance, and your profession. Additionally, you may opt to attend institutions and special events at an extra cost.

   As always, CLA members receive significant discounts on Conference registration.  If you are not a CLA member or your membership has expired, be sure to renew here to take advantage of member-only discounts.

   Pricing for 2010 Conference registration will be release in July of 2010. For reference, below is a list of 2009 registration fees:

   Online Early Bird Registration
   (August 3rd to August 31st, 2009)
   
   Keeping in mind the current economic situation, this year's Early-Bird registration prices have been lowered by 10% from 2008 levels. Additionally, CLA is providing unemployed librarians with generous discounts of nearly 50% off last year's rates. However, to take advantage of these savings, you must register by no later than August 31st.
   
   CLA MEMBERS:
   Full 3-Day Registration $179
   One Day Registration $89
   Special Attendee* $70
   Unemployed $50
   
   NON-MEMBERS: Full 3-Day Registration $239
   One Day Registration $159
   Special Attendee* $120
   Unemployed $70
   
   
   Online Advance Registration
   (September 1 to September 30th)
   
   CLA MEMBERS:
   Full 3-Day Registration $215
   One Day Registration $120
   Special Attendee** $95
   
   NON-MEMBERS: Full 3-Day Registration $280
   One Day Registration $190
   Special Attendee** $145
   
   
   Regular Registration
   (October 1st through Conference)
   
   CLA MEMBERS:
   Full 3-Day Registration $235
   One Day Registration $130
   Special Attendee** $105
   
   NON-MEMBERS: Full 3-Day Registration $300
   One Day Registration $200
   Special Attendee** $155
   
   
   GUEST OF PAID REGISTRANT $45
   Same price throughout registration periods. Guest Pass not eligible to library staff, students and vendors. If attending professionally, please register as an attendee.
   
   * Early-Bird Special Attendee includes: Trustee, Board Member, Friend, Support Staff, Full-Time Student, Retired
   
   ** Advanced & Regular Special Attendee includes all Unemployed Librarian, Trustee, Board Member, Friend, Support Staff, Full-Time Student, Retired

   
   

Scholarships

1. Who is eligible for the Edna Yelland Scholarship?

   The CLA Scholarship For Minority Students In Memory Of Edna Yelland supports ethnic minority students in the attainment of a graduate degree in library or information science. In order to be eligible, candidates must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an ALA-accredited Master's of Library and Information Science or Information Studies Program.

    

2. Who is eligible for the Reference Services Press Fellowship?

   The CLA Reference Services Press Fellowship encourages college seniors, college graduates and beginning MLS/MLIS students to prepare for a career in Reference/Information Service Librarianship. Candidates must be a California resident attending or planning to attend an ALA-accredited Master's of Library and Information Science or Information Studies Program in any state or a resident of any state planning to attend or attending an accredited Master's of Library and Information Science or Information Studies Program in California.

    

3. Who is eligible for the Begun Scholarship?

   Applicants of CLA's Begun Scholarship must be a permanent California resident currently enrolled in an ALA-accredited Master's of Library and Information Science or Information Studies Program. In addition, applicants must have completed their core coursework at the time of application. Applicants must show evidence of commitment to becoming a Children's, Teen's, and/or Young Adult Librarian in a California Public Library. Students planning to become school librarians are not eligible. Applicants must be US citizens and California residents.

    

Listserv Communications

1. How do I join CALIX?

   Visit UCLA's List Administration web page. Enter your desired email to subscribe from CALIX. From there, you will receive an automated email with your password and instructions.

    

2. How do I unsubscribe from CALIX?

   Visit UCLA's List Administration web page. Once at the site, enter your email to unsubscribe from CALIX. If you are subscribed under the address your entered, an automated email will be sent to your account, requiring action to confirm your removal from the CALIX listserv.

    

3. I am changing my e-mail address. How do I change it for CALIX?

   Visit UCLA's List Administration web page. Complete the form to unsubscribe your old email address from CALIX. Complete the form again with your new email address.

    

4. How do I join an Interest Group-specific listserv?

   If you are an active member of an Interest Group and wish to join its listserv, you can find links to subscription information by visiting a one of the Interest Group pages found here. You may also subscribe by clicking on one of the links below:
   
   Interest Group Listserv Subscription Pages:
   Academic Interest Group
   Literacy Interest Group
   Library Accessibility
   Management Interest Group
   Public Library Interest Group
   Reference Interest Group
   Student Interest Group
   Youth Services Interest Group
   
   
   If you subscribe, be sure to bookmark these links to manage your subscription, should at any time you wish to change your email account and/or unsubscribe. Please note that not every Interest Group has a webpage and/or a dedicated listserv. To create a listserv for your Interest Group, please have your Interest Group leader contact the CLA office.

    

About CLA

1. How will CLA's new bylaws affect the organization and its members?

   Please see the Bylaws Q&A document below:

   • Bylaws Q&A