Jewish Library Association of Cleveland

Founded in 1955 by librarians from eight Cleveland Jewish institutions and called Librarians of Jewish Institutions of Cleveland, Ohio. Its aim was to promote and improve library services in Cleveland's Jewish community. The name was changed to Jewish Library Association in 1962. The J.L.A. of Cleveland was a main organizer of the national Association of Jewish Libraries.

The Jewish Library Association of Cleveland (JLA) was founded in January 1955 by librarians from eight local Jewish institutions. Originally named the Librarians of Jewish Institutions of Cleveland, Ohio, the organization was established to promote and improve library services in the Cleveland Jewish community by preparing and exchanging technical aids and information; conducting a six-week training course for non-professionals employed in libraries; facilitating the public's use of books through exhibits, dissemination of book lists, book sales, and promotional events; and encouraging the establishment of new Judaica libraries. The JLA was the first organization of its kind in the United States and served as a model for similar groups in other cities. The JLA was a prime mover in the creation of the Librarians of Jewish Institutions, a national organization which was founded in 1956 to address the needs of non-professional and small Jewish libraries throughout the country. Miriam Leikind, librarian at The Temple in Cleveland and the first president of the JLA, chaired the first organizational meeting of the national group and served as the first president when the group reorganized and changed its name to the Jewish Library Association in 1962.