The Cooperative Library Association was founded in 1972 by the librarians from Dana Hall School, Rivers School and Winsor School. The group has grown steadily, and now includes more than 60 member schools.

MISSION: To exchange ideas, to inform ourselves about new trends, and to produce and promote programs or materials related to libraries and reading.

ACTIVITIES: We meet four times each year at member schools. We strive to increase our knowledge of best practice in school librarianship. Grants are awarded to three member librarians each year for professional development. Each grant recipient then presents a program at a meeting during the following year (apply for a GBCLA grant). We create THE BOOK NETWORK, a wonderful reading list for students. We share favorite new reference sources. Members communicate and support each other professionally through a listserv (instructions for subscribing to CLA-L). CLASS (Cooperative Library Association Shared System), a collaboration of several GBCLA libraries, allows for the sharing of resources (2010-2011 stats).

TO JOIN: We welcome New England independent school librarians to join this fine collegial group. Yearly dues are $50.00 per school. Please contact Jeff Smith, Membership Secretary.