Registration and housing now open for PLA 2024 Conference

CHICAGO — Today, the Public Library Association (PLA) announced that registration and housing are officially open for the PLA 2024 Conference. The conference will take place April 3–5, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio; most events will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, located at 400 North High Street.

This three-day event offers more than 100 thoughtfully curated education sessions, inspiring speakers and authors, engaging networking opportunities, career services, micro-learning moments, and a bustling exhibits hall featuring the latest in products, services, and innovations.

Attendees will leave Columbus laughing when Dulcé Sloan—one of the sharpest, fastest rising voices in comedy—closes out the conference on Friday, April 5. Hailed as one of the 10 Comedians You Need to Know by Rolling Stone, Sloan tours nationally and internationally, performing her signature stand-up to sold-out audiences, and has been a correspondent on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” since 2017. Her first memoir, “Hello, Friends!: Stories of Dating, Destiny, and Day Jobs,” is expected to be released  February 2024 by Andscape Books.

Full-conference and single-day registrations are available. A full-conference registration includes access to the following:

• The Opening Session on April 3 and Closing Session on April 5;
• Big Ideas sessions on the mornings of April 4 and 5;
• More than 100 educational programs curated for, and by, public library workers;
• The Exhibits Hall, open April 3–5 (see schedule here); and
• Food and drinks during Exhibits receptions on April 3 and April 5.

Personal members of PLA and the Ohio Library Council (OLC) save $294 over nonmembers with exclusive access to the Early Bird discount through Jan. 12, 2024. Advance registration will then be available for all attendees through Feb. 23, 2024. Tickets to workshops, library tours, and select author events are available at an additional charge. See the full schedule of rates.

PLA has secured room blocks at 12 Columbus hotels, most within one mile of the convention center. Conference registration is required to reserve a room in the PLA block. Housing reservations must be made prior to March 13, 2024.

Scholarships applications to attend the PLA 2024 Conference are open through Nov. 12, 2023. As part of PLA’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the library profession, 50 scholarships are available in five categories: Early-career or Un/Under Employed Library Staff; Small/Rural Library Staff; Library School Students; Current or Past Spectrum Scholars Working in a Public Library; and ALA Ethnic Affiliate Members.

A variety of exhibition and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Prospective exhibitors may contact Carmen Guerrero at 312-265-9644 or pla@corcexpo.com. For sponsorship information, please contact Melissa Faubel Johnson, PLA Conference Manager, 312-280-5022 or mfaubel@ala.org.

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.

About the Public Library Association
The Public Library Association (PLA) is the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals. Founded in 1944, PLA serves nearly 9,000 members in public libraries large and small in communities across the United States and Canada, with a growing presence around the world. PLA strives to help its members shape the essential institution of public libraries by serving as an indispensable ally for public library leaders. For more information about PLA, contact the PLA office at 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or pla@ala.org.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.

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