Salary Guidelines

Once again the Connecticut Library Association has updated the minimum salary guidelines (see President Bailey's message). I suspect strongly that Barbara has received numerous complaints as I did last year. In fact, I think last year there were more complaints about these guidelines then any other issue.

And yet year after year, the CLA board not only votes to keep this minimum but increase them. Why is that?

There are some very practical reasons: go to New York Public Library and look at the salary for an entry librarian. In this esteemed institution, guess what is a major human resource problem? Recruitment and retention. If we want to keep good library workers, we need to maintain good salaries and good working conditions. The cost of living in Connecticut is high. I know that it high down here in Stamford, but I also know it is high in the Danbury, Hartford, and Groton areas. How can we retain good library workers, if they cannot afford to live in the state?

I am also convinced that our profession is a noble one. It is a profession in every sense of the word--with a code of ethics, a shared body of knowledge, and our version of the hippocratic oath (ALA's Library Bill of Rights). As such, we (at every level) are highly trained individuals.

CLA's minimum salary does not even begin to represent our worth.

Alice Knapp

CLA 116th Annual Conference

CLA 116th Annual Conference, "Your Library: the Third Place" will be held April 16-18, 2007 at the Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT. Many exciting programs are being planned. Stay tuned. Look forward to seeing you there.

I've Got My MLS, But Where Are The Jobs?

I've Got My MLS, But Where Are The Jobs?
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
CLA Career Recruitment Section Program

A dynamic and informative panel discussed the advantages and disadvantages of traditional and non-traditional jobs in today market for recent library grads and career changers. Christine Donohue, The Donohue group, Shirlee Schwarz, Library Consulting Services, Patricia Daragan, U.S. Coast Guard Academy Library Director and Carol Harker, EBSCO shared some of the things that they've encountered in their professions daily and over the years. They also shared pointers on how to get the job you want.

Posted on Behalf of Vivian Bordeaux, Moderator of the program,
Bridgeport Public Library

Many thanks to Baker & Taylor for sponsoring a coffee at the Conference. Their contribution helped make this conference the success that it was.

Congratulations to Ana Boissoneault for winning the scholarship awardedby the Career & Recruitment section! Best wishes for a successful career.

Thank Yous are necessary

This year's conference was a hit! From the Golf Tournament to author and editor Sara Nelson, the programs were wonderful. The enthusiasm was such that everyone forot that the weather was supposed to be sunny and ignored the cold March rain.

A conference of this caliber cannot be done without great behind-the-scenes-help such as Kirsten Kilbourne--blogger and photographer extraordinaire, Pam Najarian who survived her first conference in charge of the registration table, Chris Bradey, present guru, Ramona Harten, Kate Byroade, CLA section chairs, Rob Simon and the exhibitor team, and Tom Geoffino and next year's cconference co-chairs.

I would be very remiss if I didn't mention the staff at Mountatin side, Mary Ann Rupert and Barbara Kohl. And most of all, the unflappable yet dynamic conference co-chairs Anita Barney and Betsy Bray

Lunch speakers were a hit!

On Tuesday, Pulitzer Prize winning author Philip Caputo introduced some characters form his book Acts of Faith, the novel which takes place in Sudan, Africa. Here is the author accompanied by CLA president Alice Knapp (left) and CLA President-Elect Tom Geoffino (right) for the book signing!




On Wednesday, the lunch audience was introduced to several characters from Bill Barnes' library comic strip "Unshelved". Here's Dewey, the male Teen Librarian, with Tamara, the Children's Librarian, helping a patron.








After the lunch, Bill Barnes also autographed his books to a delighted audience.

Some pictures of the Awards Ceremony...

After spending the day going to some sessions and checking out the loot the vendors brought, many conference participants attended the CLA Recognition & Awards Ceremony.


Here's CLC's Chris Bradley presenting Bob Simon, the conference vendor organizer, with a small thank-you for his invaluable work. Bob has succesfuly organized the conference vendor attendance for 13 years. And as Chris aptly reminded us, there would be no conference without the vendors! Thanks, Bob.


The Faith Hektoen Awards went to two outstanding librarians this year. Jane Breen, from the West Hartford Public Library, was awarded the FHA for Oustanding Program for "Light One Little Candle". The FHA for Career Achievement recipient was Bina Williams from the Bridgeport Public Library, shown here accepting the award from Rose Marie Zaharek of the New Canaan Library.

CLC's Jan Weston was awarded the CLA Suport Staff of the Year award for her 20+ years of ILL service. The award was presented to her by Anita Barney of the Brookfield Library. Kate Byroade (in the background), from Manchester Public Library and co-chair of the awards ceremony, was bestowing festive yellow leis on all the recepients!

Tom Geoffino, CLA President-Elect accepting the CLA Oustanding Librarian of the Year Award on behalf on "John Doe". As CLA president Alice Knapp presented the award, the audience gave "John Doe" a standing ovation for his oustanding service to libraries and librarians this year.

Tuesday's Top CLA Celebrities

2006 CLA Conference


The 9:00 a.m. program on Therapy Dogs and Library Cats was well attended and featured these two wonderful celebrity canines: Cyrus, a greyhound Therapy Dog and Reese, a Fidelco guide dog.Cyrus in front, Reese in back.

This is Reese getting some library love!


Cyrus meeting new friends.

One of the most upbeat library conference programs ever! Lots of interest and lots of fun.

Tuesday's Lunch Line

This is a picture of the hungry hordes waiting for lunch!

Despite the cold and rain, Mountainside was a beautiful setting for CLA today. The no-dress-code dress code had everyone feeling relaxed.

BCALA-CT Selects

There was a great turnout at the BCALA-CT Selects program where invited authors, Dr. Cynthia Barnett (Stop Singing the Blues: 10 Strategies for Hitting the High Notes in Your Life), Steve Perry (Window Pain and Naked Eating Chinese Food), and VA Murphy (The Calabash Boys) discussed what inspired them to write their books. The authors spoke of what compelled them to write and share their stories. I strongly encourage reading their books!

It's starting to look like a conference...

Slowly, but surely, the tables are starting to fill up with eager exhibitors! We joined several others this afternoon at Mountainside to set up the CLC booth. Many were assembling pretty complicated exhibits while others were putting the final touches on some colorful displays. Lots of pens, pencils, magnets, and other great loot awaits you - see you at the conference!

Welcome to the 2006 CLA Conference Blog

CLA is gearing up for the Annual Conference. This blog will soon be filing up with impressions, ideas, suggestions, stories, and much more about the sessions that take place over the 3 day conference. Hope to see you soon!