Talk:CLA

The Connecticut Library Association, also known as CLA, is Connecticut's professional organization of over 1,000 librarians, library staff, friends and trustees working together in order to improve library service to Connecticut; to advance the interests of librarians, library staff, and librarianship; and to increase public awareness of libraries and library services.

The Association offers a wide variety of continuing education workshops for library staff engaged in every aspect of library work. It presents an annual conference each spring, which is attended by librarians from all types of libraries, trustees of public libraries, and vendors of library goods and services. The Association pursues legislative goals in support of improved library service to the citizens of Connecticut.

The history of CLA began when plans for the Association were made on February 23, 1891 at the, then, new public library in New Haven. The first regular meeting of the Association was held in the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford in May, 1891. The membership numbered 66. There were, at that time, 25 public libraries in the State. Connecticut was the fifth state to form a library association in response to the urging of the American Library Association. The first president of the Association was Professor Addison Van Name of New Haven, from 1891 -1892.