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PLA Staff and Contact Information

PLA is a division of the American Library Association, located at 50 E. Huron, Chicago, IL 60611. Office hours are 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (CST), Monday–Friday. ALA’s toll free number is 1-800-545-2433, staff extensions are listed below. PLA’s general line is ext. 5PLA (5752), fax number is (312) 280-5029, and general e-mail is pla at ala.org. Feel free to contact the office any time you have questions. If no one is available when you call, please leave a message. All staff have voice mail and will respond as quickly as possible.

Executive Director
Greta Southard
ext. 5028
gsouthard@ala.org

Responsible for the overall management of the PLA office including policy issues and development and implementation of the budget. Works most closely with the PLA Board and Executive Committee.

Deputy Executive Director
Joseph Potaczek
ext. 5025
jpotaczek@ala.org

Responsibilities include: oversight of national conference and association communications, recruitment to the profession, special projects, grants and partnerships, PLA Partners program, and general association management as directed by Executive Director.

Manager, Professional Development
Linda Bostrom
ext. 5027
lbostrom@ala.org

Responsibilities include: development of PLA's educational programs at ALA and PLA conferences, Spring Symposium and regional educational programs; oversight of development and implementation of the Certified Public Library Administrator Program (CPLA); and for creation of online educational programs, distance learning programs and other new educational offerings for PLA.

Meeting & Special Events Planner
Melissa Faubel Johnson, CMP
ext. 5022
mfaubel@ala.org

Responsible for meeting management of PLA conferences and events including the National Conference, Spring Symposium, regional programs and programs held at ALA Annual and Midwinter conferences. Meeting management includes: site review, hotel and supplier contracts, AV, catering exhibits, registration, travel functions including airline, tour and shuttle bus.

Manager of Publications
Kathleen M. Hughes
ext. 4028
khughes@ala.org

Serves as Editor of Public Libraries Magazine, manages PLA publications program, PLA Blog, and Public Library Data Service Statistical Report Project.

Marketing & Communications Manager
Louisa M. Worthington
ext. 5024
lworthington@ala.org

Directs all PLA marketing activities including National Conference, directs all membership promotion and retention efforts, manages content and design of Web page and e-newsletter.

Manager of Web Services
Doug Dawson
ext. 5047
ddawson@ala.org

Develops, manages, and coordinates content and programming for all PLA websites, virtual member communities, and emerging web-based products and services.

Program Coordinator
Julianna Kloeppel
ext. 5026
jkloeppel@ala.org

Serves as contact for members who want to learn about the organization and its programs. Responsibilities include: maintenance of committee rosters, coordination of appointment process, and support for the work of the Board.

Project Manager, Gates Project
Kathleen Chau
ext. 5018
kchau@ala.org

Responsible for the management of the Sustaining Libraries Symposium Grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Works most closely with the state intermediaries for the individual state library offices.

Project Coordinator, Gates Project
Mary Hirsh
ext. 5039
mhirsh@ala.org

Responsible for the administration of the attendees of the Sustaining Libraries Symposium including registration, meals, travel, handouts, and reimbursement.