INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIBRARIANSHIP, 8(2), 1-2 
ISSN: 2474-3542 

 

Guest Editorial: Pathways to Library Leadership: Celebrating 50 
Years of Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA) 
 
The Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA) was established in 1973, and over the past 
five decades, it has grown to become the home association of librarians of Chinese descent in 
North America and beyond. Supporting members’ professional development and research 
scholarship and enhancing leadership development are the core of CALA’s missions.    

To celebrate CALA’s 50th Anniversary, the Public Relations & Fundraising Committee 
proposed a special issue for the International Journal of Librarianship under the theme "Pathways 
to Library Leadership." This special issue features seven articles and reports that provide a diverse 
range of perspectives and valuable resources for library professionals seeking to enhance their 
leadership skills and advance their careers. 

As a contested term, the definition of leadership varies based on time, organization, culture, 
and more. Yang, in his article “Leadership and Libraries: Status Quo and Emerging Trends,” 
explores the multifaceted concept of leadership with a focus on challenges and dilemmas leaders 
face in the context of academic libraries. He believes that “the primary function of a leader is to 
provide direction and clarity regarding the organizational raison d’être and objectives.” 

Beyond CALA’s regular programs and procedures, some members put their efforts to 
advocate leadership of minority librarians. In the paper “Path to Leadership: National Forum on 
Advancing Asian/Pacific Islander American Librarianship,” Gao et al. detail the plan and 
implementation of their grant-winning project, Path to Leadership: National Forum to Advance 
Asian/Pacific Islander American (APIA) Librarianship. They also include project evaluation and 
curriculum outline to fully develop an APIA leadership program. 

Li's study, "Chinese Canadian Librarians: Leadership Roles and Career Barriers," 
insightfully examines the leadership roles held by Chinese Canadian librarians and their 
perceptions of the job and working environment based on the data from the Visible Minority 
Librarians of Canada Network (ViMLoC) 2021 Survey. She presents valuable recommendations 
for increasing representation in librarianship and supporting Chinese librarians in leadership roles 
and recommends leadership programs tailored to minority librarians in Canada. 

Mi, et al. share their inspiring experiences of building trust as Black, Indigenous, and 
People of Color (BIPOC) women leaders in the academic libraries in their paper "Our Journey of 
Building Trust: Case studies of BIPOC Women Leaders in Academic Libraries." The paper 
provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by BIPOC leaders in their 
roles and how they develop their skill sets to facilitate their efforts in trust-building. 

Habing and Ruan’s article "Leading through Partnership: How the Illinois Fire Service 
Institute Library Leads to Serve its User-Community," offers a unique perspective on library 
leadership through partnership. The authors provide illuminating analysis on the role of 



 Wu / International Journal of Librarianship 8(2) 2 

partnerships in responding to the unique information needs of firefighters and how the Illinois Fire 
Service Institute Library has established itself as a leader in partnership in both the library and 
information science field and the fire service. 

The article "Creating a Forum for Library Professionals: A Case Study of CALA Canada 
Chapter" is a useful case study that highlights the establishment, growth, and achievements of a 
professional forum. The authors, Jin, Liu, and Zhang, provide insights into the valuable resources, 
programs, and opportunities provided by the CALA Canada Chapter, which promotes diversity 
and inclusivity in the library profession in Canada. The article also offers a discussion of the 
challenges and plans of the Chapter, including expanding its reach and increasing its membership. 

Liu et al.'s article, "Retrospect and Prospect: The Creation and Development of an 
Academic Journal," offers a reflective account of the journey of creating and advancing an open-
access academic journal. The article provides a valuable contribution to the literature on academic 
publishing, particularly in the library and information science field. 

As CALA commemorates its 50th anniversary, it is not only a time of celebration but also 
an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary achievements of its leaders and the vital role CALA 
plays in fostering the growth and development of library professionals. Through this special issue 
and the remarkable stories it presents, we hope to inspire a new generation of library leaders, 
providing them with the knowledge, motivation, and guidance they need to navigate their own 
paths to success. 
 

Guest Editor: Jingjing Wu, Texas Tech University, United States 

Editing contributors to this issue: 

Copy Editing: Sunny Chung, Anne Kaay, Kimberly Kennedy, Denise Montgomery, Julia Zheng 

Layout Editing: Yongming Wang