PLA Offers Digital Badges to Recognize Learners at PLA 2016 Preconferences

 

The Public Library Association (PLA) will participate in the American Library Association’s (ALA) digital badging pilot beginning with the eleven preconferences scheduled for the PLA 2016 Conference in Denver. Individuals attending a preconference at the PLA 2016 Conference will receive a digital badge recognizing their commitment to learning, professional development, staying current in the field, and improving service to users.

 

Digital badges help learners document their knowledge and skill acquisition among peers, professional networks, and current or future employers. Badges can be posted and shared on social media, incorporated into career portfolios, and collected on websites or blogs.

 

ALA’s Center for the Future of Libraries has been working with ALA divisions and offices on this digital badging pilot to help advance the professional and leadership development focus area of ALA’s new strategic plan. ALA is using the Credly badging platform to create  and issue digital badges through the pilot program. 

 

Offered biennially, the PLA Conference is the premier event for public libraries, drawing thousands of librarians, library support staff, trustees, friends, and library vendors from across the country and around the world. Find complete details at placonference.org and join us in Denver!

 

For more information about other PLA events and programs, contact the PLA office at pla@ala.org or (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or visit www.pla.org. 

 

The Public Library Association (PLA) is a division of the American Library Association. PLA’s core purpose is to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. Its mission is to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services.

 

ALA's Center for the Future of Libraries works to identify emerging trends relevant to libraries and the communities they serve, promote futuring and innovation techniques to help library professionals shape their futures, and build connections with experts and innovative thinkers to help libraries address emerging issues. The Center is modeled on the American Alliance of Museums' Center for the Future of Museums and was made possible in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Learn more at http://www.ala.org/libraryofthefuture.