News Archives
CLA Looks to the Future During 2007 Leadership Institute
Enlivened by skilled facilitator Jane Silverman, leaders of CLA national sections, roundtables and regional chapters, along with the CLA Executive Board, met July 12 – 15 at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois for CLA’s biennial Leadership Institute.
After identifying areas for making the “good” much “better” participants were asked to write a headline for an article in Catholic Library World in 2011, as CLA celebrates its 90th anniversary. The numerous ideas which were presented by participants can be discussed at two levels: What is the “value-added” of belonging to national? How is community built in a virtual world?
Based on the group’s work of the first night, Mrs. Silverman developed a succinct Vision Statement: CLA will be recognized as a community of choice for a growing number of Catholic libraries and librarians at all levels through its values-oriented, innovative programs, networking and leadership.
Using the SWOT analysis, each of four groups brainstormed on one element: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. The input from the SWOT analysis resulted in the identification of several discussion topics, with participants self-selecting their topics of interest for discussion.
To achieve the vision, goals must be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable (but a stretch), Relevant, and Trackable. Mrs. Silverman made several practical observations about areas to examine, such as structure of CLA committees, categories of membership, and developing marketing plans and strategic plans for various CLA entities.
To develop plans for the areas needing greatest focus, specific task forces were identified, with those present asked to sign up for one task force; each task force would have a chair and should include members who did not participate in the Leadership Institute.
The second part of the weekend included brief presentations on essential information for CLA leaders. Participants self-selected one of five work groups, led by Executive Board members and committee chairs, and which followed logically from Jane Silverman’s portion of the workshop.
Workshop activities were not scheduled for Saturday afternoon so participants could travel to cultural or historic sites in or near St. Louis and Belleville. Sunday’s conclusion consisted of the work groups reporting on their work of Saturday, with opportunity for additional comments, questions and feedback. The weekend concluded with a prayer service of blessing for CLA’s leaders.
Among comments on the evaluation forms, are: “Jane Silverman was great at motivating us.” “The Leadership Institute proved a powerfully energizing experience, stimulating much enthusiasm, creativity and practical foresight.” “This was an excellent meeting, overflowing with ideas and with lots of enthusiasm for action and change…and the camaraderie was great.” “My first time—more than I expected! Honest, respectful exchange of ideas, welcoming atmosphere. I felt valued, even as a new member.”
CLA Now Accepting Payments by Credit Card
Thanks to information provided by a CLA Executive Board member, CLA is now able to accept VISA and MasterCard payments for any product or service through a special limited-availability program for non-profit organizations. Current forms for membership, convention and CLA publications will be changed to reflect this additional payment option, which will also pave the way for eventually being able to accept payments through the CLA website.
The Second CLA Collaborative Quilt a Rousing Success!
Several members of CLA took the challenge and made a quilt block with fabric provided at the 2006 convention and the result is pictured.
The raffle took place on April 13, 2007. Proceeds from the quilt raffle help support Catholic Library Association programs. If there is sufficient interest, another quilt challenge will be coming your way in Indianapolis 2008!
Catholic Research Resources Alliance (CRRA)
The Catholic Research Resources Alliance (CRRA) is an ambitious effort to identify the rare and unique research resources which document and illustrate the Catholic experience, and provide seamless and enduring access to these resources.
Eight Catholic institutions of higher education are founding members -- Boston College, The Catholic University of America, Georgetown, Marquette, Notre Dame, St. Edwards, San Diego, and Seton Hall. They have committed their time, talent and treasures to develop a portal on a pilot basis and to establish a collaborative endeavor for the developing and continuing support of the CRRA.
The archives and libraries of nine institutions have provided information on 150 collections of importance to researchers on the Catholic experience. The CRRA Portal provides access to this information which contains full descriptions of these collections and in some cases links to the digitized content in the collection. In addition, finding aids focusing on two subject categories – American Catholic Social Action and American Catholic Intellectual Life – will be posted as part of the pilot project. The Portal is maintained by the University of Notre Dame. We expect to complete the pilot project in Fall 2007.
Plans are underway to greatly increase the collections which are accessible through the CRRA Portal both by expanding the number of participating institutions and expanding the number of accessible collections at each institution.
Ask your library director to contact any member of the Steering Committee. Contact information is on the Portal.
Katrina Fund Update
The Fund. As of May 1, 2006, CLA has received, with gratitude, over $4,615.00 in donations for libraries affected by the 2005 hurricanes. Together with National Church Library Association and Church & Synagogue Library Association, over $9,000 has been raised. Donations are still being accepted. Please make checks payable to the Catholic Library Association with "Katrina" on the memo line.
In a previous conference call, the executive directors of the three associations reported on publicity undertaken by each association, planned publicity and fundraisers, along with requests for assistance received to date. Because many members of all three associations had become aware of the fund through their association journal and newsletters only a few weeks before the conference call, an agenda item to discuss disbursing of gifts was tabled until a future conference call. In the meantime a brief application is being developed for those requesting assistance.
Future Action. While some libraries are open now, others project a wait of two years before returning to service, if ever. One goal is to raise more money so that eventual distribution will be as equitable as possible. The directors also want assurance that contributions are used solely for the affected library, and not for another school or parish need.
Attention, Gulf Coast Librarians. We urge those whose libraries have been affected by the hurricanes to write one or two brief paragraphs documenting the losses and any recovery efforts to date. As many as possible of those submitted will be published in the News Notes section of an upcoming issue of Catholic Library World, as space permits.
The First CLA Collaborative Quilt!
Several
members of CLA accepted the challenge and created a quilt which was raffled
off at the 2006 conference in Atlanta. Proceeds from the quilt raffle went
to CLA and to the relief fund for Hurricane Katrina damaged libraries. A second quilt is currently in the works to be raffled off at the 2007
Convention in Baltimore. Contact Cathy Fennell at fennell@rosemont.edu
for more information.
CLA member Tina-Karen Foreman was the winner of this very first CLA collaborative quilting effort.
CLA Leaders Attend Leadership Institute
On August 3-8 2005, thirty-seven CLA section and chapter officers gathered at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snow in Belleville, IL to participate in the 2005 CLA Leadership Institute. The biennial Leadership Institute is sponsored in part by continuing education grants from H. W. Wilson Foundation and contributions from CLA members.
Presentations on CLA history, Mission, Constitution and Bylaws, The Catholic Periodical and Literature Index, Catholic Library World, sections, chapters, the annual convention and related topics were given by members of the Executive Board, committee chairs and editors. Karen O'Brien, Director of the ALA Office of Accreditation opened the formal portion of the Institute with her offering, "Models of Outstanding Leadership in Libraries." Tim Heiges, regional sales manager for EBSCO, introduced attendees to the online version of CPLI, providing chapter leaders valuable information about CPLI Online to bring back to their chapter meetings, so members can avail themselves of the complimentary 60-day trial offered by EBSCO. The concluding session presented by Tim O'Brien, Executive Director of the Passionist Partners Program was entitled "Managing for Success in Leadership."
How-to sessions included writing book reviews, setting up a listserv and website, and time management. A project begun by Malachy McCarthy as a practical activity of the Preservation of American Catholic Materials Round Table - of creating an historical union list of Catholic serials published by U.S. dioceses and archdioceses was also introduced.
In addition to communal prayer at various times during the weekend, participants had an opportunity to attend the August 5th closing of the Novena to Our Lady of the Snows, as well as to socialize in the evening.
The fall meetings of The Catholic Periodical and Literature Index Committee and the CLA Executive Board took place in Belleville before and after the Leadership Institute.
Fund Established for Libraries Destroyed by Hurricane Katrina
Church and synagogue library organizations across North America are joining forces to ensure a future for congregational libraries damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The National Church Library Association (NCLA), the Church & Synagogue Library Association (CSLA), and the Catholic Library Association (CLA), together have established a relief fund to help rebuild affected library ministries.
"Our prayers go out to the victims whose lives have been forever changed by this tragedy," said Sue Benish, NCLA Executive Director, "and we encourage everyone to support relief efforts going on right now. But we also want to look ahead and be able to offer support to libraries when they are ready to rebuild, help that may not otherwise be available to our friends in library ministry."
"As we keep all the people affected by Hurricane Katrina in our prayers we are joining other religious library associations to lend a helping hand in reestablishing congregational libraries. All donations will directly support congregational libraries damaged by Katrina. The strength of our organizations working together will be a great help to those congregational libraries", said Judy Janzen, CSLA Administrator.
"Our thoughts and prayers have been and continue to be with all Gulf Coast residents who have been affected in varying degrees by this disaster," commented CLA Executive Director, Jean R. Bostley, SSJ. "Together we want to do all we can to assist these libraries in recovering."
Any church, parish, synagogue, academic or school library damaged by Hurricane Katrina will be eligible to receive money from this fund, regardless of denomination or affiliation. Library and religious support groups are invited to participate in this effort.
Donations from individuals, congregations, and businesses to the Hurricane Katrina relief fund are now being collected. Fundraisers to support this effort are welcome and encouraged. Make donations payable to the receiving organization, note "Hurricane Katrina" on the memo line, and send to:
Catholic Library Association
100 North St., Ste. 224
Pittsfield, MA 01201-5109
National Church Library Association
275 South Third St., Ste 101A
Stillwater MN 55082
Church & Synagogue Library Association
2920 SW Dolph Ct. Ste 3A
Portland OR 97219
To make a credit card donation, call CSLA at 1-800-LIB-CSLA. For more information contact Sue Benish, Executive Director, National Church Library Association 651-430-0770, suebenish@churchlibraries.org
National Church Library Association, founded in 1958, is a non-profit support organization serving church libraries of all Christian denominations. For more information call 1-651-430-0770 or visit www.churchlibraries.org.
Church & Synagogue Library Association, founded in 1967, is a non-profit support organization and serves congregational libraries of all denominations. Call 1-800-LIB-CSLA or visit www.cslainfo.org.
See Links page for additional sites for Hurricane Katrina Relief support opportunities and assistance.
CPLI Now Available Online
CPLI is available online through CLA's partnership with ATLA. Request a trial subscription from EBSCO Information Services at www.epnet.com.
