PLA announces Dr. Joy Buolamwini as opening session speaker for 2024 conference

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) announces that the 2024 Conference will open with the “Poet of Code” Dr. Joy Buolamwini as the opening session speaker. The PLA 2024 Conference, taking place April 3—5, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio, will feature Dr. Joy alongside inspiring speakers Ta-Nehisi Coates, Dulcé Sloan, and Mary Annaïse Heglar.

Dr. Joy creates art to illuminate the impact of Artificial Intelligence on society, and is the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, a groundbreaking Massachusetts Institute of Technology researcher, a model, and an artist. She is the author of the national bestseller “Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What Is Human in a World of Machines” and advises world leaders on preventing AI harms. Her research on facial recognition technologies transformed the field of AI auditing. She is the protagonist of the Emmy-nominated documentary “Coded Bias” and her TED talk on algorithmic bias has been viewed over 1.6 million times.

The opening session, which is exclusively sponsored by OCLC, will take place on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, 8:30 a.m.—10:00 a.m. Eastern, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Hall A. In addition to speakers, the conference will feature more than 100 thoughtfully curated education sessions, author and publisher events, engaging networking opportunities, career services, micro-learning moments, and a bustling exhibits hall featuring the latest in products, services, and innovations.

Personal members of PLA and the Ohio Library Council (OLC) receive exclusive access to the Early Bird discount—saving $294 over nonmembers on registration through Jan. 12, 2024. Advance registration is available to all attendees through Feb. 23, 2024. Tickets to workshops, library tours, and select author events are available at an additional charge. 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.

About the American Library Association
The American Library Association is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice of libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.