The Librarians Association of the University of California (LAUC) was founded in 1967 and is a statewide organization of all librarians employed at least half time by the University of California. Membership is automatic and entails no dues. In 1971, the Association gained authorization to use the name of the University and in 1975 was formally recognized as an official unit of the University. The objectives of LAUC are to advise the University on professional and governance matters, to make recommendations concerning UC librarians’ rights, privileges, and obligations, and to promote full utilization of UC librarians’ professional abilities.
LAUC-D first met in 1967 and received formal local recognition by the Chancellor’s Office in 1968.
LAUC provides advice to the system-wide, campus, and library administrations on the best course for the University’s libraries.
LAUC Members work closely with faculty and students in fulfilling the University’s educational mission and are able to convey user needs to senior management. LAUC has provided leadership in crucial areas, such as, cooperative collection development and resource sharing during periods of retrenchment, impact of new information technologies on libraries, enhanced bibliographic access to diverse collections, services to diverse users, and information literacy. LAUC position papers and other documents are located at the LAUC website.
The membership of the local division of LAUC-D meets quarterly to review and discuss issues and the priorities of the division and LAUC Statewide.
The LAUC statewide Executive Board is composed of the President, Vice-President/President-Elect, Secretary, immediate Past President (ex-officio), and the chairs of the ten campus divisions. The officers of LAUC are elected by the membership. The President calls at least two assembly meetings per year to which each division sends a delegation in proportion to its membership. The assembly hears reports from the President, guest speakers, and the chairs of committees discuss current issues, and debates and votes on resolutions and committee recommendations.
The LAUC-D Executive Board is composed of the Chair, Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect, Secretary, immediate Past Chair, and the chairs of standing LAUC-D committees. The LAUC-D officers, committee chairs, and committee members-at-large are elected by the membership. Once a year, the Chair, Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect, and Secretary attend the LAUC Statewide Assembly as voting representatives of the division.