CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) will host the 2013 Virtual Spring Symposium from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time on March 20. Moderated by Stephanie Gerding, librarian, author and trainer, this full day of public library education will offer a total of eight education programs across four subject tracks; Administration/Leadership and Youth Services tracks will run simultaneously in the morning, while Marketing/Customer Service and Technology tracks will run in the afternoon. Futurist Garry Golden will wrap up the day with a thought-provoking keynote, “Designing a 21st Century Roadmap for the Future of Public Libraries.”
The professional programs are each one hour in length and include:
Administration/Leadership: “Care and Feeding of the REAL Boss: Working Effectively with City and County Officials” and “A Novel Approach to Giving Bad News”
Youth Services: “Hands On! Innovative YA Programming” and “Practical Readers’ Advisory for Children and Teens”
Marketing/Customer Service: “Marketing Trends and Innovations for Libraries” and “Customer Service Challenges: When Tensions Run High”
Technology: “Building & Running the Digital Branch” and “Developing Web Content Strategy for Libraries”
Registration is available for both individuals and groups. Individual registrants will be able to switch between simultaneous tracks to find what suits them best, while registered groups will be given a code that enables them to stream simultaneous tracks at the same time (on two computers) to help their team get the most out of the day.
Cost to attend PLA’s Virtual Spring Symposium is $135 (PLA Members), $165 (ALA Members) and $195 (Nonmembers) for individual registration and $495 for group registration. Registration is available through Friday, March 15 with a credit card online or via fax/mail with a PO, check or credit card.
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.
Contact:
Amy Sargent
Manager Marketing
Public Library Association (PLA)
asargent@ala.org1-800-545-2433 ext.5024
Featured News
March 15, 2025
ALA statement on White House assault on the Institute of Museum and Library Services
An executive order issued by the Trump administration on Friday night, March 14, calls for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the nation’s only federal agency for America’s libraries.
February 10, 2025
American Library Association launches public supporter program
The American Library Association launched a new supporter program on February 10, 2025, inviting the public to join the fight to protect libraries and library professionals at a pivotal moment in our country’s history.
January 26, 2025
ALA to U. S. Department of Education: Book bans are real
The American Library Association responds to the Department of Education's dismissal of complaints about censorship and discrimination: the "effort to terminate protections... advances the demonstrably false claim that book bans are not real."
January 22, 2025
New ALA Initiative Asks Advocates to “Show Up for Our Libraries”
Today the American Library Association (ALA) launched Show Up for Our Libraries, a campaign to harness the collective power of library advocates to influence elected leaders and policymakers.
January 13, 2025
American Library Association extends support to libraries affected by Los Angeles wildfires
The American Library Association extends our deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by and to those who have lost everything during the Los Angeles area fires.
December 10, 2024
PLA provides funding to more than 100 public libraries as part of $2.7 million effort to boost digital literacy
The Public Library Association (PLA) has selected more than 139 public libraries across 42 states to host digital literacy workshops, powered by a generous $2.7 million contribution from AT&T.
December 9, 2024
The American Library Association Receives Transformational Gift to Fund Scholarships
James W. Lewis has made the largest individual bequest to the American Library Association in the association’s history.
December 5, 2024
Telgemeier, McCloud chosen as National Library Week honorary chairs
Award-winning author and illustrator Raina Telgemeier and cartoonist and comic theorist Scott McCloud have been selected Honorary Chairs of the American Library Association’s National Library Week, April 6-12, 2025.
November 14, 2024
American Library Association launches national search for executive director
The American Library Association (ALA) has reopened its search for an executive director in partnership with executive search firm Isaacson, Miller. The search will be led by a steering committee comprising ALA member leaders.
November 11, 2024
Cronk, Jamison, McCauley seek ALA presidency for 2026-2027
Lindsay Cronk, Tulane University, New Orleans; Andrea Jamison, Illinois State University; and Maria McCauley, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge, Massachusetts, are candidates for the 2026-27 presidency of the American Library Association.