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Whose library is this? It's the Potrero Branch Library in San Francisco and the area shown is of the atrium skylight as seen from the adult collections and periodicals, moving into computer stations and then teen area. [read more]

Latest News

Sign Up For the ALA Preconference Sponsored by the California Library Association!

Please join us for a workshop that will help your summer reading program stay vital, dynamic, and relevant! CLA will be sponsoring an ALA preconference in Anaheim on Friday, June 22nd. Participants will learn effective techniques for planning and presenting successful outcomes- and outreach-based summer reading programs. [read more]

Governor Brown Releases 2012-13 Budget Early, Due to Mix-Up

Governor Jerry Brown was scheduled to release his January 2012-13 Budget next Tuesday at 9 a.m., per the annual constitutional deadline. However, at some point today the Administration became aware that the Department of Finance had accidentally posted an early copy of the Governor’s 2012-13 Budget to its public website, which necessitated a quick change in plans for the Governor. At 1:30 p.m. we received word that the Governor would call the press corps together at 2:30 p.m. today to unveil the Budget a little ahead of schedule. [read more]

Department of Finance Says Budget "Trigger" Will Be Pulled

Shortly after noon today, Governor Brown, flanked by his Director of the Department of Finance, announced that despite a modest improvement in the economy, (November sales tax receipts were up, as well as capital gains on upper income earners) state revenues have not rebounded sufficiently. As such, the Governor announced that the so-called “Tier 1” trigger and a portion of the “Tier 2” trigger will be pulled. [read more]

And the Winner is..........

Better World Books announces the $1,000 grant awarded by CLA member votes for the California Library Literacy Program they found most inspirational! [read more]

LAO Revenue Forecast Could Mean "Trigger Cuts"

Today the State’s respected non-partisan Legislative Analyst released his highly anticipated revenue forecast that will be used to evaluate whether or not the so-called “Budget Trigger” will be pulled in the New Year. As you will recall from our previous memos to the field, the “Budget Trigger,” AB 121 (statutes of 2011) was created during the 2011 Budget negotiations to serve as a balancing mechanism should $4 billion in anticipated state revenues not materialize. [read more]

American Library Association announces two free 2012 conference registration winners!

At Booth 623 during the CLA Annual Conference, the American Library Association raffled two free registrations to attend the ALA 2012 Annual Conference in Anaheim. The winners are Patrice Deleget, Torrance Public Library, and Sarah Reyes-Gomez, Camarillo Public Library. ALA thanks everyone who dropped by the booth, both members and potential members, and hopes to see everyone in Anaheim.

Trigger Bill Sample Letter (click to download )

California’s public libraries are once again threatened with funding cuts. Because actual revenues are falling way below projections, the trigger cuts are looming large on the horizon. What can you do to help avoid the loss of approximately $15 million in funding for public library programs? Please write to the governor, your state senator and your assembly-member, asking them to spare the public libraries from the cuts that may be imposed because of AB 121. Here is a sample letter you may adapt as appropriate.

For more information, go to http://www.cla-net.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=8

Senator Carol Liu named CLA Legislator of the Year!

PASADENA, CA. The California Library Association, the association representing the public, academic, and specialty libraries in the state, has awarded Senator Carol Liu (D-Pasadena) its “2011 Legislator of the Year Award.” The award was presented to the Senator by Pasadena Public Library Director, Jan Sanders, at the CLA Annual Conference at the Pasadena Convention Center. [read more]

Library Funding In Jeopardy - Your Help Needed!

As CLA members and library supporters are aware, the 2011-12 Budget presented some very tough challenges for three major library programs – the California Library Services Act, the Public Library Foundation, and the state literacy program. These programs continue to be in jeopardy, and now CLA needs your help again! [read more]

CLA is the Community for California Libraries

CLA provides leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services, librarianship, and the library community. We help members excel in a fast-changing job market. We're a resource for learning about new ideas and technology, and we actively work to influence legislation affecting libraries and librarians.