CR2 Blog the knowledge blog
  • scissors
    May 14th, 2011LISWire aggregatorLISWire

    *** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

    CALIFORNIA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION SELECTS NEW MANAGEMENT PARTNER and EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    May 13, 2011

    For more information contact:
    Paymaneh Maghsoudi, President
    California Library Association
    Director of Library Services
    Whittier Public Library
    562-567-9920
    pmaghsoudi@whittierpl.org

    California Library Association (CLA), after an extensive search for a new management partner, has selected Partners in Collaboration (PIC), a joint venture of Califa and Southern California Library Cooperative (SCLC). By unanimous decision, the CLA Board of Directors voted to engage the services of PIC to provide day-to-day staff and management support for the Association effective June 1, 2011.

    CLA is confident that its members, institutions, and business partners will benefit greatly from this unique and powerful collaboration. Throughout the proposal review and selection process, PIC’s superior experience, vision, and expertise in California libraries was abundantly evident. As a partnership of two well-established, trusted California library organizations, PIC is uniquely positioned to bring new value to CLA in several areas of strength. For example, Califa has a strong library technology group and can use the skills of its IT team to CLA’s distinct advantage. SCLC has an outstanding business and financial management team geared specifically to library resource development. As a partnership, PIC’s leadership and staff have wide-ranging experience in library contract negotiations, meeting organization, resource development, technology innovations, event coordination, and legislative advocacy.

    With the selection of new management partner PIC, a new CLA Executive Director has also been selected: Carol Simmons brings to CLA a wealth of experience and skill in several key areas, including library leadership, collaboration, public relations, and executive management. In addition to her previous Director tenures at Daly City Public Library (CA) and Park City Public Library (UT), Carol’s collaborative leadership experience includes her service on the Public Library Association Executive Board, and as past chair of the Peninsula Library System (CA) Administrative Council.

    This unique and powerful collaboration signals a new era in the history of California Library Association, and a new level of partnership and synergy for the benefit of all California libraries. These are challenging years of transition and change in libraries everywhere, and the effects are being felt by libraries and librarians across the state and the nation. CLA has remained focused on continuing its journey through these turbulent times to emerge an even stronger Association in service to its members, institutions, and business partners. CLA remains the community for all libraries in California!

    As announced previously, CLA will end its association management contract with Association Resource Center (ARC) as of May 31, 2011. The Board appreciates the services that ARC has provided for the past year.

    Please join CLA at its 2011 Annual Conference and Exhibition, November 11-13, 2011 at the Pasadena Convention Center. CLA will again partner with the California School Library Association to produce California’s premier annual library professional development, networking, and exhibitors’ event! Meet the CLA board members, new CLA management team, and new CLA Executive Director Carol Simmons. Connect with or reconnect with professional colleagues. Learn new trends and best practices in professional workshops and preconference sessions. See and hear amazing and inspiring speakers, including keynote speaker Sir Ken Robinson. And experience the wealth of products and services available to help you serve your library customers better by visiting our Exhibit Hall.

    The CLA Board of Directors very much looks forward to this promising and exciting new chapter for CLA. CLA is deeply committed to continuously improving our services to our membership through our strong legislative presence and advocacy voice in Sacramento, with the professional development and networking opportunities afforded by our annual Conference, and by the participatory learning and collaborative environments created in our Interest Groups. With the support of new management partner PIC, the California Library Association remains fully committed to delivering these quality services and much more to our members and business partners, now and forward to the future.

    Paymaneh Maghsoudi, President
    California Library Association

    Board of Directors:
    Wayne Disher, Vice-President / President-Elect
    Jackie Griffin, Treasurer
    Les Kong, ALA Chapter Councilor
    Tracie Carignan, Director
    Barbara Flynn, Director
    Mary George, Director
    Sean Reinhart, Director
    Patricia Rivera, Director
    Monica Schultz, Director
    Hillary Theyer, Director
    Beth Wrenn-Estes, Director