Personal Membership
Student Offer
If you are a full-time student, ALA now offers a joint membership with ALA and CLA. Visit ALA's website for a joint membership form.
IMPORTANT: To ensure that your joint membership is processed in a timely manner, mail your application with payment to: Chapter Relations Office, ALA, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611.
Personal membership in CLA is available to individuals who provide library services, library school students, and those interested in the development, promotion and improvement of library service. Individuals may be voting members or 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 a library but you wish to support association programs.
Membership in CLA has its benefits
- CLA membership pays off.
CLA membership is an investment in your career and your profession.
- CLA is your source for timely information.
Members get timely information regarding events in the California library community; share in philosophies and ideas; and are exposed to the successes and challenges facing California libraries. Information is power and CLA provides you access to that information through our print and electronic newsletters, CALIX and e-mail alerts.
- CLA provides career information and help.
Through our internet-based JobMart, you have access to current job listings, and the annual Career Center at the conference provides a direct link between employers and potential employees. CLA's multi-year effort to address fair compensation for library staff will increase library salaries.
- CLA members direct CLA legislative activities.
As a member, your voice, joined with thousands of others, is heard on public policy debate in Sacramento.
- CLA provides opportunities for professional networking.
Through our on-line directory, you have immediate access to other library staff. Through list serves, conference and section programming, you can share experiences, develop professionally, and interact with the leaders of today's and tomorrow's libraries.
- CLA recognizes outstanding efforts in the library world.
You can gain recognition from your peers for outstanding efforts in your work through the CLA Awards Program.
- CLA supports the needs of special interest groups.
CLA's special interest groups, sections and round tables address specific concerns or focus for library staff.
- CLA monitors and addresses state and local censorship and intellectual freedom issues.
You are assured that constitutional rights are being actively monitored.
- CLA sponsors an annual conference and exhibition.
The annual conference and exhibition is designed for you by your colleagues and further informs, connects, shares, and celebrates the work you do in and with libraries.
- CLA promotes libraries with public relations campaigns.
CLA works to keep the issues of library awareness at the forefront of the public's attention.