Catholic Library Association

The Catholic Library Association is an international membership organization, providing its members professional development through educational and networking experiences, publications, scholarships, and other services. The Catholic Library Association coordinates the exchange of ideas, provides a source of inspirational support and guidance in ethical issues related to librarianship, and offers fellowship for those who seek, serve, preserve, and share the word in all its forms. The Catholic Library Association has previously hosted biannual conventions and conferences for the honoring of award recipients and presentations by speakers.

History
The Catholic Library Association began in 1921, as a section of the National Catholic Educational Association. Rev. Paul J. Foik, CSC, of University of Notre Dame, was chair. It became an independent organization in 1929. Francis E. Fitzgerald was the first president (1929-1931).

The Association celebrated its Golden anniversary at its Cincinnati conference in 1971. The Centennial was marked in 2021 with an article in Catholic Library World which highlighted milestones such as Catholic Book Week, collaborative efforts with the Catholic Research Resources Alliance, and conference speakers.

The Catholic Library Association is an affiliate of the American Library Association.

Publications

 * Catholic Library World
 * Catholic Periodical and Literature Index established in 1933. Continued after 2011 by the American Theological Library Association.
 * Parish Library Resource Guide: An Annotated Bibliography.
 * A Handbook for Church Librarians.
 * Developing the Library Collection: A Workbook of Policies and Resources.

Awards

 * Regina Medal est. 1959, recognizes one living person for "continued, distinguished contribution to children's literature without regard to the nature of the contribution." Regina Award Medalists include Anne Carroll Moore, Augusta Baker, Theodor Seuss Geisel, Tomie dePaola, Madeleine L'Engle, and Eric Carle. In 2024, the Regina Medal was awarded to Eric A. Kimmel, beloved author of over 150 children’s books.
 * St. Katharine Drexel Award est. 1966, recognizes an outstanding contribution to the growth of high school librarianship.
 * John Brubaker Award est. 1978, to recognize an outstanding work of literary merit, considered on the basis of its significant interest to the library profession which was published in Catholic Library World. Zachary Lewis, Student Success Librarian at the University of Dayton, Roesch Library, was recipient of the award in 2022-2023 for his article, "Committing to the Common Good: Reframing Student Success Using Catholic Social Teaching." For 2023-2024, the John Brubaker Memorial Award was given to Hugh Burkhart, Associate Professor, Coordinator of Instruction and Undergraduate Learning at the University of San Diego’s Copley Library. In 2021-2022 Tim Senapatiratne, director of the Spencer Library at the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, received the award for “What is Metaliteracy?: Using the Concepts of Metaliteracy in Theological Librarianship.”
 * Aggiornamento Award, est. 1980, is presented by the Parish and Community Library Services Section in recognition of an outstanding contribution made by an individual or an organization for the renewal of parish and community life in the spirit of Pope John XXIII (1881-1963).
 * Jerome Award, est. 1992, is presented by the Academic Libraries, Archives, and Library Education Section in recognition of outstanding contribution and commitment to excellence in scholarship which embody the ideals of the Catholic Library Association. It is named after St.Jerome, Doctor of the Church (331-420), patron of librarians.Father David Endres, a priest from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in Ohio, received the Jerome Award for 2024.
 * Philip F. Neau Memorial Award est. 2007, is presented biennially by the Children’s Library Services Section to a member, past or current, of the Section for their outstanding contributions while members of the Section.
 * Mary A. Grant Volunteer Service Award est. 1996, is presented to a CLA member for their exceptional volunteer service to the Association. This award is presented by the CLA executive board.
 * Charlotte Decker Award is an annual award presented to an outstanding member of the Children’s Library Services Section or the High School/Young Adult Library Services Section.

Scholarships and grants

 * The Heritage Fund provides funding for an expansion of services and growth for the association.
 * John T. Corrigan, CFX Memorial Continuing Education Grant, re-established in 2008, is intended to support chapters of the association in their continued offering of educational opportunities for members.