Public Library Association (PLA)

Fifty-seven public libraries awarded funding to encourage Affordable Care Act enrollment

CHICAGO – Through its health insurance enrollment and education initiative, Libraries Connecting You to Coverage, the Public Library Association (PLA) is encouraging enrollment in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace for 2020. Today, PLA announced it will award $500 mini-grants to 57 public libraries across the U.S.

ALA receives $2 million Google.org grant to develop library entrepreneurship centers

WASHINGTON -- The American Library Association (ALA) has received a $2 million grant from Google.org to develop library entrepreneurship centers and enable libraries across the country to double down on their support for people looking to start a new business. 

PLA now accepting applications and nominations for 2020 Awards

CHICAGO – Through the generosity of its sponsors, the Public Library Association (PLA) is proud to offer ten awards and grants for 2020. The PLA Awards are designed to highlight the best in public library service and programming and to honor those bringing innovation, creativity and dedication to public libraries. PLA is currently accepting applications and nominations for the following awards and grants:

Registration & housing now open for PLA 2020 Conference

CHICAGO — Today, the Public Library Association (PLA) announced that registration and housing are officially open for the PLA 2020 Conference. The conference will take place Feb. 25-29 in downtown Nashville, Tennessee; most events will be held at the Music City Center, located at 201 Fifth Avenue South. 

October webinar highlights community data and mapping techniques

CHICAGO – In October, the Public Library Association (PLA) will host a webinar on the benefits to library service of mapping and leveraging community data. The webinar will feature King County Library System (KCLS), a 50-branch system encompassing urban, suburban and rural areas outside Seattle, Wash. Presenters Lisa Fraser and Elizabeth Nash will explain how KCLS uses data and mapping to better understand the populations within its diverse service territory, and how it in turn offers programs and services in response to the needs and interests of these communities.

ALA launches national campaign against e-book embargo

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – Today the American Library Association (ALA) and Public Library Association (PLA) announced a public campaign in response to recent efforts to limit library access to e-books. In a press conference held at the Nashville Public Library during the 2019 Digital Book World conference, ALA debuted an online petition at eBooksForAll.org for members of the public to urge Macmillan Publishers CEO John Sargent to reverse the proposed embargo on e-books sold to libraries. (See full petition text below.)

PLA announces regional workshops on space planning for libraries

CHICAGO – To increase local training opportunities for public library staff, the Public Library Association (PLA) is teaming up with Multnomah County (Ore.) Library, Palo Alto (Calif.) City Library and Jacksonville (Fla.) Public Library to offer regional workshops on space-planning for libraries.

PLA to share digital skill-building tools in free September webinar

CHICAGO – Public libraries have long been leaders in bringing people into the digital world, providing programs and services that help patrons get jobs, gain knowledge, increase productivity, and engage with others online. Leveraging and strengthening existing library and community resources can help reduce staff burden and increase the library’s impact on digital literacy.

PLA to present webinar on trauma-informed approach to library service

CHICAGO – This month, the Public Library Association (PLA) will host a webinar highlighting the trauma-informed approach to public library service. A trauma-informed approach generally entails understanding that library patrons may have experienced trauma and describes how library workers can engender their trust.