Kentucky Library Association

The Kentucky Library Association (KLA) is a professional organization for Kentucky's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Prospect, Kentucky.[1] It was founded on June 28, 1906, in Louisville, Kentucky with 52 charter members.[2][3] Its original goal was to form a state library commission as well as to increase access to free state documents.[3] William Frederick Yust was elected as the association's first president.[4][5] The third conference the KLA took part in was a tri-state conference with Ohio and Indiana.[6] In 2011 the KLA held a joint conference with the Kentucky School Media Association in order to work together with librarians on creativity, cooperation, and the impact of change.[7] The KLA became a state chapter of the American Library Association in 1917, and is a member of the Southeastern Library Association.[3] One of the KLA's daughter organizations, the Kentucky Public Library Association (KPLA), aims to encourage growth of its members, improve library service, and work with other organizations to do so.[8]

Kentucky Library Association
NicknameKLA
FormationJune 28, 1906; 117 years ago (1906-06-28)
Founded atLouisville, Kentucky
61-6042682
Parent organization
American Library Association
Websitewww.klaonline.org

Mission statement edit

"The mission of the Kentucky Library Association is to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all".[8]

Legislative activity edit

In 1938, the KLA was instrumental in the creation of the Library Extension Division (LED), a State Board for the certification of librarians.[6] In 1940 the Kentucky legislature approved a bill allowing the Division to "accept and administer Federal funds" for libraries in the state, should they become available.[6] The Library Service Act was signed by President Eisenhower in 1956, this provided federal grants to promote public library services in rural areas. the Library Service Act grant was administered by the Library Extension Division.[6] In 1945 the KLA advocated for library service to inmates, and the libraries of the ten Kentucky penal institutions were placed under the supervision of a trained librarian.[6]

Publications edit

The KLA's first publication, Bulletin of the Kentucky Library Association, began in 1933.[6] The KLA currently publishes a scholarly journal, Kentucky Libraries (ISSN 0732-5452), as well as an informal newsletter, IN-FO-CUS.[9][10]

References edit

  1. ^ "Kentucky Library Association". Kentucky Library Association. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
  2. ^ "Kentucky Library Conference". Library Journal. 31 (7): 323–324. July 1907. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Kentucky Library Association". Kentucky Library Association. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
  4. ^ "Librarians Organize". The Paducah evening sun. June 28, 1907. p. 6. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  5. ^ "State Library Association". Messenger-Inquirer. Owensboro, KY. November 10, 1908. p. 2. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Kinkead, Ludie (July 1958). "The Editor's Desk: The Kentucky Library Association". The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society. 56 (3): 293–306. JSTOR 23374318.
  7. ^ Race, Tammera (2011). "2011 Kentucky Library Association Joint Conference: Information... The Library Superpower". Serials Review. 38: 57–59.
  8. ^ a b "Kentucky Public Library Association Homepage". Kentucky Public Library Association. 2019.
  9. ^ In-fo-cus : Kentucky Library Association newsletter. (Journal, magazine, 1988) [WorldCat.org]. OCLC 18591757.
  10. ^ Kentucky libraries (Journal, magazine, 2000) [WorldCat.org]. OCLC 643869098.

External links edit