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Mission StatementTo support the professional development and research scholarship of CALA members, advocate Chinese American librarians in professional organizations and enhance the leadership development of Chinese American librarians through training, mentoring, networking, and collaboration with colleagues in the United States and abroad. CALA’s work inspires Chinese American librarians to meet their professional goals and to make valuable contributions to the global library community. -- CALA 2020-2025 Strategic Plan |
Who We AreChinese American Librarians Association (CALA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a volunteer-led library association that supports the professional development and research scholarship of CALA members, advocates Chinese American librarians in professional organizations, and enhances the leadership development of Chinese American librarians through training, mentoring, networking, and collaboration with colleagues in the United States and abroad. CALA started March 31, 1973 by Dr. Tze-Chung Li and Dorothy Li, as Mid-West Chinese American Librarians Association, a regional organization in Illinois. A year later, the Chinese Librarians Association was formed in California in 1974. In 1976, Mid-West Chinese American Librarians Association was expanded to a national organization as Chinese American Librarians Association. By 1979, CALA had five chapters in Northeast, Mid-West, Atlantic, Southwest and California respectively. The Chinese American Librarians Association and Chinese Librarians Association were merged in 1983. The merged organization retains CALA's English name and Chinese Librarians Association's Chinese name 華人圖書館員協會. Currently, CALA has nine chapters (see coverage map below) as follows: Greater Mid-Atlantic (GMA), Midwest Chapter (MW), Northeast Chapter (NE), Northern California Chapter (NCA), Southern California Chapter (SCA), Southeast Chapter (SE), Southwest Chapter (SW), Canada Chapter, and the Asia-Pacific (AP) Chapter. CALA is an affiliate of American Library Association (ALA), International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), and Joint Council of Librarians of Color (JCLC). |
Why join CALA?
As one of the major ALA affiliated associations, CALA is the only professional organization in North America that 1) promotes better communication among Chinese American librarians; 2) serves as a forum for the discussion of mutual problems and professional concerns among Chinese American librarians; and 3) promotes the development of Chinese and American librarianship with scholarships and grants.
Read more...Who can join CALA?
Any individual or corporate body interested in the purpose of the Association may become a member upon payment of the dues as provided for in the Bylaws.
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Chapter |
States Covered |
|---|---|
| Greater Mid-Atlantic Chapter (GMA) | covers 6 states: Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington (DC), West Virginia |
| Midwest Chapter (MW) | covers 13 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin |
| Northeast Chapter (NE) | covers 8 states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont |
| Northern California Chapter (NCA) | covers Northern part of California: north of San Luis Obisbo/Bakersfield |
| Southern California Chapter (SCA) | covers Southern part of California: south of San Luis Obisbo/Bakersfield |
| Southeast Chapter (SE) | covers 7 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee |
| Southwest Chapter (SW) | covers 9 states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah |
| Canadian Chapter (CAN) | covers Canada |
| All Other U.S. States (OUS) | covers 7 states: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington (State), Wyoming |
| Asia-Pacific (AP) Chapter | covers Asia-Pacific region |
Map of Chapter Coverage
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