Connecticut Library Association

Connecticut Library Association

Nickname	CLA
Formation	February 23, 1891; 133 years ago (1891-02-23)
Headquarters	Belchertown, Massachusetts
Parent organization	American Library Association
Website	ctlibraryassociation.org

The Connecticut Library Association (CLA) is a professional organization for Connecticut's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Belchertown, Massachusetts.^[1] It was founded on February 23, 1891, in New Haven, Connecticut, with the purpose of promoting "library interests by discussion and interchange of ideas and methods, and not to 'trench upon the province of the American Library Association.'"^[2][1] The first regular CLA meeting was held in the Wadsworth Atheneum in May 1891.^[1] CLA's initial membership was thirty people and dues were fifty cents.^[3] The first CLA president of the Association was Addison Van Name who served from the organization's founding in 1891 to 1892.^[1] CLA urged the state of Connecticut to provide incentives for towns to make their libraries public.^[4] The state responded by offering grants of up to $200 yearly for libraries to spend on books.^[4][5]

The CLA, jointly with the Connecticut Association of School Librarians (CASL) hosts the annual Nutmeg Book Awards to honor children's and young adult literature. Nominees are selected by CLA and CASL members, as well as students. Winners are chosen by a student vote.^[6]

References

1. "CLA Website". Connecticut Library Association. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
2. "Connecticut Library Association, 1891-1995 (RG 127)". Connecticut State Library. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
3. Young, A.P. (1988). American Library History: A Bibliography of Dissertations and Theses. G - Reference, Information and Interdisciplinary Subjects Series. Scarecrow Press. p. 307. ISBN 978-0-8108-2138-5. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
4. "A History of the Deep River Public Library". Deep River Public Library. 1900-05-26. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
5. Connecticut. Public Library Committee (1893). Connecticut Public Library Document. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
6. "Nutmeg Book Award - FAQs". www.nutmegaward.org. Retrieved 8 July 2023.

External links

• Connecticut Library Association website