PLA and 3M to hold Leadership Institute at 2008 conference

Contact: Louisa Worthington


Public Library Association


312-280-5024


lworthington@ala.org
For Immediate Release


October 2, 2007

PLA and 3M to hold Leadership Institute at 2008 conference

CHICAGO – The Public Library Association (PLA) and 3M, a PLA Partner, will be offering a special daylong preconference focused on developing leaders and creating transformational change agents within the library profession. Participants will learn how to set a change strategy, how to handle various challenges and what innovations can be most productive in implementing, driving and defining change. The preconference will be held on Tuesday, March 25, preceding PLA 2008, PLA’s 12th National Conference in Minneapolis.

“We are looking for strong leaders who are intent on making a difference to the profession and in leading their organization to its highest performance level,” said Jan Sanders, 2008 PLA president and director of the Pasadena Public Library. “This is going to be a very exciting time.”

Costs to attend the Leadership Institute are covered by 3M, including registration fees for the day, conference supplies, transportation from the Minneapolis Convention Center to 3M’s “Innovation Center,” lunch, snacks and an evening reception. PLA 2008 registration costs and travel expenses, such as airfare and hotel rooms, will not be covered by 3M and are the responsibility of the participant.

A limited number of participants will be selected to attend the Leadership Institute. Applicants must be PLA members registered for the 2008 National Conference, and have at least five years of experience at a supervisory and decision-making level within their organization. Participants must submit a 250-words-or-less essay on a substantial change to be made, their role as change agent and the effect that this change would produce for their library. An online application form is available at
www.pla.org.

The deadline for applications is November 1, 2007. Candidates will be selected by PLA leadership and are not the responsibility of the sponsors 3M. Applicants will be notified by the end of November.

Offered biennially, PLA National Conference is the premier event for public libraries, drawing librarians, library support staff, trustees, Friends and library vendors from across the country and around the world. The conference includes more than 150 top-quality continuing education programs, preconferences, talk tables, several social events and networking opportunities and a bustling exhibits hall. PLA 2008, the PLA 12th National Conference, will be held March 25-29, 2008 in Minneapolis.

For more information about PLA 2008, visit the National Conference Web site,
www.placonference.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 PLA’s Web site 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.