[8] In 1941 the organization published guidelines for the roles of professional and non-professional librarians in college and university libraries.

[15][16][17] In 1984, the organization received national attention when it rescinded its invitation to a noted Holocaust denier and antisemite,[18] David McCalden, to speak at their convention.

[19][20][21] "When [McCalden's] request to display his books during Banned Books Week was denied by the Torrance (California) Public Library, McCalden was invited by the California Library Association in 1984 to operate a booth and participate in a presentation at its annual conference.

The uproar by both politicians and the press when this became public led the CLA to cancel McCalden’s exhibit and program.

"[6] The organization also gives awards to programs that encourage reading and education, including the PBS show California Gold with Huell Howser.

[7] CLA organizes an annual conference which brings library workers and supporters together to learn and network, as well as to attend to the organizational business of the association.