PLA sponsors Emerging Leader and public librarian Heather Beverley

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) is pleased to sponsor Heather Beverley, children’s librarian and technology/young adult consultant at Cook Memorial Public Library District (Ill.) as its representative for the 2012 ALA Emerging Leaders program.

The Emerging Leaders program is a leadership development initiative that enables newer library workers to participate in work groups, network with peers, gain an inside look into ALA structure and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity.

“It is an incredible honor to be selected as one of ALA’s Emerging Leaders," Beverley said. "To be sponsored by PLA holds a profound meaning for me, especially, as PLA’s core values of advocacy and advancing public library services mirror my own passions in librarianship. I will be given the unique opportunity to connect with librarians from across the country that share my enthusiasm towards serving our communities and our profession. Together we will learn how to support this profession we love and to unite our voices as strong advocates for library services, a task increasingly vital in these trying times.”

Beverley will receive $1,000 to attend the 2012 Midwinter Meeting in Dallas and the 2012 Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif. and will participate in Emerging Leader activities at each event. She’ll also benefit from online learning culminating with a poster session showcasing the results of her project work.

Learn more about the Emerging Leaders program.

For more information about PLA, contact the PLA office at (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or visit PLA’s website at www.pla.org. 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.