Catholic Library Association

<h2 id="history">History</h2>
The Catholic Library Association began in 1921, as a section of the <a href="/facts/National_Catholic_Educational_Association/dhHf5yv4">National Catholic Educational Association</a>. Rev. Paul J. Foik, CSC, of <a href="/facts/University_of_Notre_Dame/oplPM5R2">University of Notre Dame</a>, was chair. It became an independent organization in 1929.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3">3</a> Francis E. Fitzgerald was the first president (1929-1931).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a>
The Association celebrated its Golden anniversary at its Cincinnati conference in 1971.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5">5</a> 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.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a>
The Catholic Library Association is an affiliate of the <a href="/facts/American_Library_Association/3jVtqULk">American Library Association</a>.

<h2 id="publications">Publications</h2>
<ul><li>Catholic Library World<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a></li>
<li>Catholic Periodical and Literature Index established in 1933. Continued after 2011 by the <a href="/facts/American_Theological_Library_Association/1qqk1CKW">American Theological Library Association</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a></li>
<li>Parish Library Resource Guide: An Annotated Bibliography.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a></li>
<li>A Handbook for Church Librarians.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a></li>
<li>Developing the Library Collection: A Workbook of Policies and Resources.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a></li></ul>
<h2 id="awards">Awards</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Regina_Medal/Xxtb7DVa">Regina Medal</a> est. 1959, recognizes one living person for "continued, distinguished contribution to children's literature without regard to the nature of the contribution."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a> Regina Award Medalists include <a href="/facts/Anne_Carroll_Moore/wDzjxhhb">Anne Carroll Moore</a>, <a href="/facts/Augusta_Baker/LdkuIIqU">Augusta Baker</a>, <a href="/facts/Dr._Seuss/y4E95SML">Theodor Seuss Geisel</a>, <a href="/facts/Tomie_dePaola/9YJm7ESf">Tomie dePaola</a>, <a href="/facts/Madeleine_L%2527Engle/uVEeJAPm">Madeleine L'Engle</a>, and <a href="/facts/Eric_Carle/sEX8ltL5">Eric Carle</a>. In 2024, the Regina Medal was awarded to <a href="/facts/Eric_Kimmel/pBKtukL1">Eric A. Kimmel</a>, beloved author of over 150 children’s books.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a></li>
<li>St. <a href="/facts/Katharine_Drexel/VErzPlEH">Katharine Drexel</a> Award est. 1966, recognizes an outstanding contribution to the growth of high school librarianship.</li>
<li>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.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a> Zachary Lewis, Student Success Librarian at the <a href="/facts/University_of_Dayton/JQAzLRds">University of Dayton</a>, 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."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a> For 2023-2024, the John Brubaker Memorial Award was given to Hugh Burkhart, Associate Professor, Coordinator of Instruction and Undergraduate Learning at the <a href="/facts/University_of_San_Diego/j1I53FIS">University of San Diego</a>’s Copley Library.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a> In 2021-2022 Tim Senapatiratne, director of the Spencer Library at the <a href="/facts/United_Theological_Seminary_of_the_Twin_Cities/wsJc9TYm">United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities</a>, received the award for “What is Metaliteracy?: Using the Concepts of Metaliteracy in Theological Librarianship.” <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a></li>
<li>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 <a href="/facts/Pope_John_XXIII/M1vHj3p6">Pope John XXIII</a> (1881-1963).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19">19</a></li>
<li>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.<a href="/facts/Jerome/0qVqVA73">Jerome</a>, Doctor of the Church (331-420), patron of librarians. Father David Endres, a priest from the <a href="/facts/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Cincinnati/ezP1zha4">Archdiocese of Cincinnati</a> in Ohio, received the Jerome Award for 2024.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20">20</a> In 2025 the Jerome Award was presented to theologian, Dr.<a href="/facts/Mary_Healy_(theologian)/CLcznmPL">Mary Healy</a>. <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21">21</a></li>
<li>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.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22">22</a></li>
<li>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.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23">23</a></li>
<li>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.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24">24</a></li></ul>
<h2 id="scholarships-and-grants">Scholarships and grants</h2>
<ul><li>The Heritage Fund provides funding for an expansion of services and growth for the association.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25">25</a></li>
<li>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.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26">26</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://cathla.org/">Official website</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.marquette.edu/library/archives/Mss/CLA/CLA-sc.php">Archives of the Catholic Library Association</a> at <a href="/facts/Marquette_University/huBBf51C">Marquette University</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">Catholic Library Association website. <a href="https://cathla.org/" target="_blank">https://cathla.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">"Event Archives". Catholic Library Association. <a href="https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Events/Event_Archives.aspx?hkey=591a1939-713c-4bb5-af64-b6266cdd3829" target="_blank">https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Events/Event_Archives.aspx?hkey=591a1939-713c-4bb5-af64-b6266cdd3829</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">Delozier, A. (2023). The Preface and Introductory Chapter of the Catholic Library Association 1919-29. Catholic Library World, 93(3): 178–185. <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">Dunleavy, Sr. Consolata Maria, S.S. J., "The History of the Catholic Library Association, 1921-1961," Ph.D. dissertation, Catholic University of America, 1964 <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">"Catholic Library Association, meeting for their golden anniversary in Cincinnati on April 12–15, 1971." American Libraries, [s. l.], v. 2, p. 564, 1971. <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">Lesiak, Karen. 2021. “In Honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Catholic Library Association.” Catholic Library World 92 (1): 8–12. <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">Catholic 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). <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">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). <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">July 13, 2011.The Catholic Library Association's Executive Board announces the sale of CPLI to the American Theological Library Association. <a href="https://cathla.org/Main/Main/News/News_Articles/Catholic_Library_Association_Announces_the_Sale_of__Catholic_Periodical_and_Literature_Index.aspx" target="_blank">https://cathla.org/Main/Main/News/News_Articles/Catholic_Library_Association_Announces_the_Sale_of__Catholic_Periodical_and_Literature_Index.aspx</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">Parish Library Resource Guide: An Annotated Bibliography (02-513 ed.). Catholic Library Association. 2013. ISBN 0988959224. <a href="0988959224" target="_blank">0988959224</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">Beck, Linda (2007). A Handbook for Church Librarians (Second Revised ed.). Catholic Library Association; Augsburg Fortress. ISBN 0988959208. <a href="0988959208" target="_blank">0988959208</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">Gertrude., Fennell, Cathy. Kistler (2009). Developing the library collection : a workbook of policies and resources. Catholic Library Association. OCLC 460131285.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) <a href="http://worldcat.org/oclc/460131285" target="_blank">http://worldcat.org/oclc/460131285</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">“The Catholic Library Association’s Regina Medal.” Catholic Library World 89.3 (2019): 176–177. <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">"Catholic Library Association". July 14, 2024. <a href="https://www.cathla.org/" target="_blank">https://www.cathla.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">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. <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">Zachary Lewis Receives the 2022-2023 John Brubaker Memorial Award.(2023) Catholic Library World 94 (August): 12. <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:17">"Catholic Library Association". July 14, 2024. <a href="https://www.cathla.org/" target="_blank">https://www.cathla.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:18">"Tim Senapatiratne Receives the 2021-2022 John Brubaker Memorial Award." (2022). Catholic Library World 93 (September): 5. <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:19">Butler, Bishop Christopher. "The Aggiornamento of Vatican II" Vatican II Voice of the Church. <a href="https://vatican2voice.org/3butlerwrites/aggiorna.htm" target="_blank">https://vatican2voice.org/3butlerwrites/aggiorna.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:20">"Catholic Library Association". July 14, 2024. <a href="https://www.cathla.org/" target="_blank">https://www.cathla.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:21">2025 St. Jerome Award Winner - Dr. Mary Healy Catholic Library Association, 2025. <a href="https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Awards/Award_News/2025_Jerome_Award_Winner_-_Dr_Mary_Healy.aspx" target="_blank">https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Awards/Award_News/2025_Jerome_Award_Winner_-_Dr_Mary_Healy.aspx</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:22">"Philip F Neau Memorial Award". cathla.org. Retrieved 2023-03-23. <a href="https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Awards/Philip_F_Neau_Memorial_Award.aspx" target="_blank">https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Awards/Philip_F_Neau_Memorial_Award.aspx</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:23">"Mary A Grant Volunteer Service Award". cathla.org. Retrieved 2023-03-23. <a href="https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Awards/Mary_A_Grant_Volunteer_Service_Award.aspx" target="_blank">https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Awards/Mary_A_Grant_Volunteer_Service_Award.aspx</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:24">"Charlotte Decker Award". cathla.org. Retrieved 2023-03-23. <a href="https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Awards/Charlotte_Decker_Award.aspx" target="_blank">https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Awards/Charlotte_Decker_Award.aspx</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:25">"The Heritage Fund". cathla.org. Retrieved 2023-03-23. <a href="https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Scholarships___Grants/The_Heritage_Fund.aspx" target="_blank">https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Scholarships___Grants/The_Heritage_Fund.aspx</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:26">"John T Corrigan, CFX Memorial Continuing Education Grant". cathla.org. Retrieved 2023-03-23. <a href="https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Scholarships___Grants/John_T_Corrigan__CFX_Memorial_Continuing_Education_Grant.aspx" target="_blank">https://cathla.org/Main/Main/Scholarships___Grants/John_T_Corrigan__CFX_Memorial_Continuing_Education_Grant.aspx</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

Catholic Library Association open-in-new

Catholic Library Association