Catholic Library Association

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.Delozier, A. (2023). The Preface and Introductory Chapter of the Catholic Library Association 1919-29. Catholic Library World, 93(3): 178–185. Francis E. Fitzgerald was the first president (1929-1931).Dunleavy, Sr. Consolata Maria, S.S. J., "The History of the Catholic Library Association, 1921-1961," Ph.D. dissertation, Catholic University of America, 1964

The Association celebrated its Golden anniversary at its Cincinnati conference in 1971."Catholic Library Association, meeting for their golden anniversary in Cincinnati on April 12–15, 1971." American Libraries, [s. l.], v. 2, p. 564, 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.Lesiak, Karen. 2021. “In Honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Catholic Library Association.” Catholic Library World 92 (1): 8–12.

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

• Catholic Library WorldCatholic Library World ISSN 0008-820X, is indexed in Book Review Index, Catholic Periodical Index, Library Literature and Information Science Index, Library and Information Science Abstracts, Reference Book Review Index, Current Index to Journals in Education (ERIC), Information Science Abstract, and Universite des sciences humaines de Strasbourg (CERDIC).
• Catholic Periodical and Literature Index established in 1933. Continued after 2011 by the American Theological Library Association.Origins of the CPLI outlined in Sister Consolata Maria Dunleavy, S.S.J. (1964)."The History of the Catholic Library Association, 1921-1961: Dissertation, Catholic University of America. (1922).July 13, 2011.[https://cathla.org/Main/Main/News/News_Articles/Catholic_Library_Association_Announces_the_Sale_of__Catholic_Periodical_and_Literature_Index.aspx The Catholic Library Association's Executive Board announces the sale of CPLI to the American Theological Library Association.]
• Parish Library Resource Guide: An Annotated Bibliography.{{Cite book |title=Parish Library Resource Guide: An Annotated Bibliography |publisher=Catholic Library Association |year=2013 |isbn=0988959224 |edition=02-513}}
• A Handbook for Church Librarians.{{Cite book |last=Beck |first=Linda |title=A Handbook for Church Librarians |publisher=Catholic Library Association; Augsburg Fortress |year=2007 |isbn=0988959208 |edition=Second Revised}}
• Developing the Library Collection: A Workbook of Policies and Resources.{{Cite book |last=Gertrude. |first=Fennell, Cathy. Kistler |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/460131285 |title=Developing the library collection : a workbook of policies and resources |date=2009 |publisher=Catholic Library Association |oclc=460131285}}

• Regina Medal est. 1959, recognizes one living person for "continued, distinguished contribution to children's literature without regard to the nature of the contribution."“The Catholic Library Association’s Regina Medal.” Catholic Library World 89.3 (2019): 176–177. 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.{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2024 |title=Catholic Library Association |url=https://www.cathla.org/}}
• 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.Mary, M. 1979. “Margrabe Is the First to Receive the Catholic Library Association’s John Brubaker Memorial Award for an Outstanding Work of Literary Merit.” Wilson Library Bulletin 53 (March): 532. 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."Zachary Lewis Receives the 2022-2023 John Brubaker Memorial Award.(2023) Catholic Library World 94 (August): 12. 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.{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2024 |title=Catholic Library Association |url=https://www.cathla.org/}} 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.” "Tim Senapatiratne Receives the 2021-2022 John Brubaker Memorial Award." (2022). Catholic Library World 93 (September): 5.
• 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).Butler, Bishop Christopher. "[https://vatican2voice.org/3butlerwrites/aggiorna.htm The Aggiornamento of Vatican II]" Vatican II Voice of the Church.
• 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.{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2024 |title=Catholic Library Association |url=https://www.cathla.org/}} In 2025 the Jerome Award was presented to theologian, Dr.Mary Healy. [https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Awards/Award_News/2025_Jerome_Award_Winner_-_Dr_Mary_Healy.aspx 2025 St. Jerome Award Winner - Dr. Mary Healy] Catholic Library Association, 2025.
• 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.{{Cite web |title=Philip F Neau Memorial Award |url=https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Awards/Philip_F_Neau_Memorial_Award.aspx |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=cathla.org |language=en}}
• 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.{{Cite web |title=Mary A Grant Volunteer Service Award |url=https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Awards/Mary_A_Grant_Volunteer_Service_Award.aspx |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=cathla.org |language=en}}
• 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.{{Cite web |title=Charlotte Decker Award |url=https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Awards/Charlotte_Decker_Award.aspx |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=cathla.org |language=en}}

• The Heritage Fund provides funding for an expansion of services and growth for the association.{{Cite web |title=The Heritage Fund |url=https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Scholarships___Grants/The_Heritage_Fund.aspx |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=cathla.org |language=en}}
• 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.{{Cite web |title=John T Corrigan, CFX Memorial Continuing Education Grant |url=https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Scholarships___Grants/John_T_Corrigan__CFX_Memorial_Continuing_Education_Grant.aspx |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=cathla.org |language=en}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://cathla.org/ Official website]
• [https://www.marquette.edu/library/archives/Mss/CLA/CLA-sc.php Archives of the Catholic Library Association] at Marquette University

Category:Library associations

Category:Catholic organizations

Category:Catholic education

Category:Catholicism and society

Category:Library-related professional associations

Category:Library-related organizations

Category:Library science journals