• Save The Date!!
  2012 CLA Annual Conference
  November 2nd - 4th
  San Jose, CA

• ALA Preconference
  sponsored by the California Library Association
  Friday, June 22, 2012
  1:00pm - 4:00pm
  $149

• Don't miss out on our Spring Fling 2012 Training Workshops!

• ALA Preconference: Finding Solid Ground with Jeremy Hunter.   Register Today!

Latest News

Want To Save Library Funding In The State Budget? 

Some of you may already be sending letters on letterhead to the legislators highlighted in a May 15^th report from our lobbyists – and that is great! But, if time is a factor for you, CLA has developed a special sample letter that you can send to four legislators by clicking on the contact links below! [read more]

Your Help Is Needed - Contact Legislative Leaders To Save Library Budget Funding

As reported yesterday, due to the state’s $15.7 billion deficit, the Governor’s May Revision of the State Budget does not contain any proposed funding for public libraries – most specifically, there is no funding in the State Budget for the California Library Services Act, nor the Public Library Foundation, nor the state literacy services program. Because of this situation, not only are these programs in jeopardy, but so is approximately $16 million in federal funding. [read more]

Governor Releases "May Revision" of Budget - Poor Revenues Mean No Surprise Funding For Libraries

This morning in a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Jerry Brown released his “May Revision” of the 2012-13 Budget and somberly announced, “I’m laying out some pretty tough cuts.” The “May Revise,” as it is also known, allows the Governor to make adjustments to his January Budget, after having received the latest cash receipts and projections for the economy. While there had been hope for a slight uptick in the economy during the first few months of the year, unfortunately the state’s tax receipts lagged much more than originally projected. [read more]

Assembly Budget Subcommittee Hears Library Funding Issues

Late yesterday afternoon, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met to discuss the State Budget as it pertains to the State Library, and specifically the Budget’s impacts on the California Library Services Act, the Public Library Foundation, and the state literacy program. Members of the Budget Subcommittee were vocal in their displeasure with the complete and total elimination of all state funding for public libraries in the Budget, as well as the imminent threat of the loss of a significant amount of corresponding federal dollars. [read more]

Senate Budget Committee Hears Library Funding Issue: Takes No Action - Leaves it "Open" For Now

This morning CLA and library supporters testified before the Senate Budget Subcommittee Number One on Education Finance at the State Capitol, in an effort to encourage the legislature to support an action to restore $15.2 million in funding for the California Library Services Act, the Public Library Foundation, and the state literacy program. As you are aware, the Governor’s Budget last year proposed eliminating all $30.4 million in total funding for these three programs. [read more]

CLA 2012 Legislative Spring in the District is here!

Spring in the District is here and it’s time to meet with your legislators about restoring state funding to California’s libraries. To make these meetings as easy as possible, CLA is providing talking points, tips for lobbying your legislator and a list of lead contacts and appointment schedule. This is the time to get involved! Without $15.2 million in State matching funds, California will lose its Federal Funding ($16 million) for libraries. Prevent a double whammy!. [read more]

Saving Library Funding in the Budget - Letters Still Needed!

As you are aware, Governor Brown’s January 2012-13 Budget does not provide any funding for public libraries, and over the last two weeks we have been asking CLA members, friends groups, literacy advocates and others to write letters in support of restoration of $15.2 million in this year’s Budget. $15.2 million will not only protect the integrity of the three programs in jeopardy – the California Library Services Act, the state literacy program, and the Public Library Foundation, but it will also allow the State Library to draw down millions of dollars in federal funding to support programs such as the Braille and Talking Books program . [read more]

CLA Award Nomination Forms Now Available!

The CLA Award nomination forms are now available online. The California Library Association honors members of the California library community every year at its annual Awards Gala. [read more]

CLA Scholarships Now Available!

CLA Scholarship applications are now available online. CLA's scholarships recognize future leaders in the California library community. All scholarship recipients are honored at the annual CLA Awards Gala. [read more]

A Letter From the CLA President!

Spring is just around the corner. It’s the time for new beginnings and shedding of our winter coats. Here at the California Library Association, we celebrate spring by sponsoring the annual Spring Fling and by welcoming in the planning process for this year’s annual California Library Association Conference. In light of this being a time of changing seasons, the California Library Association has some exciting news regarding changes to this year’s conference, and I’d like to briefly tell you about these changes and why they were implemented, and why I believe these changes will be extremely beneficial to our organization and its members. [read more]

Sign Up For the first ALA Preconference session 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]

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]

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

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.

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