Public Library Association

PLA announces additional 2022 conference speakers, Intellectual Freedom Forum programming

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) is pleased to announce newly confirmed speakers for exciting events taking place at the PLA 2022 Conference, March 23—25 in Portland, Ore. In addition to Big Ideas and Author Lunch speakers, PLA has added an Intellectual Freedom Forum in response to coordinated attempts at book banning currently sweeping the nation.

PLA announces 2022 conference scholarship winners

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) has awarded thirty (30) scholarships for public library professionals and students to attend the PLA 2022 Conference, taking place March 23–25 in Portland, Ore. As part of PLA’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in the library profession, scholarships were distributed among three categories: Early-career Library Staff Scholarships, Non-Salaried or Unemployed Library Staff Scholarships, and Library School Student Scholarships.

PLA opens registration for 2022 Virtual Conference

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) is offering an alternative opportunity for public library workers unable to attend the PLA 2022 Conference in Portland, Oregon. The PLA 2022 Virtual Conference schedule has been enhanced and expanded to offer live programming across all three days of the in-person conference, March 23–25.

Public Libraries magazine announces 2022 Feature Article Contest winners

CHICAGO--Public Libraries, the official magazine of the Public Library Association (PLA), is pleased to announce the 2022 recipients of the Feature Article Contest for articles published in the previous year.

ALA/ARL Seek Feedback on Draft Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity Framework

CHICAGO; WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Joint ALA/ARL Building Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity Framework Task Force seeks feedback from the library community on the initial draft framework.

PLA announces candidates for 2022 Board Election

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) 2022 Nominating Committee has unveiled the slate of candidates for the Association’s 2022 Election.

PLA extends member Early Bird registration rate for 2022 Conference

CHICAGO — Today the Public Library Association (PLA) announced it is extending its member Early Bird registration rate for the PLA 2022 Conference, to be held March 23–25 in Portland, Oregon. Personal members of PLA, the Oregon Library Association (OLA), and the Pacific Northwest Library Association (PNLA) can save hundreds of dollars by registering before Jan. 31. Advance registration for all others continues through Feb. 18.

PLA announces keynote speakers for 2022 conference, March 23-25

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) 2022 Conference will open and close with laughter and a challenge to engage the current moment with opening speaker Luvvie Ajayi Jones and closing speaker Kal Penn. The PLA 2022 Conference, taking place March 23–25, in Portland, Oregon, will feature dynamic speakers and programming that reflects the innovation, creativity, diversity and adaptability of our nation’s public libraries.

PLA sponsors two public library workers in ALA Emerging Leaders program

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) is pleased to continue in its tradition of sponsoring two public library workers in the American Library Association’s annual Emerging Leaders (EL) program.

The American Library Association opposes widespread efforts to censor books in U.S. schools and libraries  

CHICAGO - Due to a dramatic uptick in book challenges and outright removal of books from libraries, ALA's Executive Board and the Boards of Directors for all of ALA's eight divisions have released the following joint statement regarding attempts to remove materials that focus on LGBTQIA+ issues and books by Black authors or that document the Black experience or the experiences of other BIPOC individuals: