For immediate release | November 12, 2025

Bryan Stevenson to Open PLA 2026 Conference

CHICAGO —The Public Library Association (PLA) is pleased to announce that Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) and author of Just Mercy, will deliver the opening keynote at the PLA 2026 Conference. The Opening Session, exclusively sponsored by OCLC, will take place Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 8:30 –10:00 a.m. Central at the Minneapolis Convention Center. It also will be live-streamed for PLA Virtual Conference attendees.

A renowned public interest lawyer, social justice activist, and law professor at New York University School of Law, Bryan Stevenson has dedicated his career to challenging racial injustice and reforming the criminal justice system. Under his leadership, the Equal Justice Initiative has won relief or release for more than 140 people wrongly condemned to death and successfully argued landmark cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including the historic decision banning mandatory life sentences without parole for children. Stevenson’s memoir Just Mercy chronicles his early work defending marginalized clients and has been adapted into a major motion picture.

The PLA 2026 Conference is a three-day event offering over 100 thoughtfully curated educational sessions, awe-inspiring speakers, bestselling authors, networking opportunities, and an exhibits hall with vendors offering the best library products and solutions. The in-person and virtual conference will run from April 1-3, 2026.

Personal members of PLA and the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) save over $300 on in-person registration with exclusive access to the Early Bird discount through Jan. 9, 2026. Virtual conference attendees receive access to live-streamed speaker sessions, author events, and programs, and the chance to save over $70 with Advance registration. See the full schedule of rates.

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. 

Contact:

Larra Clark

PLA Deputy Director

Public Library Association

lclark@ala.org

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