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PLA announces candidates for 2026 Board Election

The Public Library Association (PLA) 2025 Nominating Committee has unveiled the slate of candidates for the Association’s 2026 election. This year, eight nominees will stand for four positions on the PLA Board of Directors: 2027-2028 president, American Library Association (ALA) division councilor, and two directors-at-large.

PLA launches Transformative Technology Task Force with focus on artificial intelligence

The Public Library Association (PLA) has established the Transformative Technology Task Force to advise the association on the evolving role and impacts of transformative technology on library work and to identify and recommend priority training topics relevant to public library staff and users.

PLA opens proposal window for “Hot Takes” and “How-To” programming at 2026 national conference

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) opened a call for proposals for the popular How-To Stage and new Hot Takes event at the PLA 2026 Conference, to be held April 1-3, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn. The submission deadline is Dec. 15, 2025.

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Bryan Stevenson to Open PLA 2026 Conference

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.

Free November 12 Webinar to Explore Key Findings from New PLA Report on Adult Learning in Public Libraries

PLA will host a free webinar sponsored by Gale (part of Cengage school) on Wednesday, November 12 at 1:00 PM CT to share and explore key findings from the report “Expanding Possibilities: Public Libraries and Adult Learning."

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PLA to award 150 Scholarships for 2026 Conference

The Public Library Association (PLA) will award 150 scholarships for public library workers and students to attend the PLA 2026 Conference.

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PLA opens registration for 2026 in-person, virtual conference

Registration is open for the PLA 2026 Conference, which takes place April1-3, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minn. Scholarship applications are open to eligible applicants thru Nov. 6, 2025.

With Funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation, ALA Announces Aging Together: An Evaluation of Library Programming for Older Adults

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA), with $388,363 in support from The John A. Hartford Foundation, announces Aging Together: An Evaluation of Library Programming for Older Adults, an initiative to support a national evaluation to better...

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PLA seeks responses to 2025 Public Library Services for Strong Communities Survey

The Public Library Association (PLA) has opened its annual survey, the "2025 Public Library Services for Strong Communities Survey," and invites all U.S. public libraries to participate.

PLA Leadership Academy, November 3-7, 2025, Chicago, IL. An immersive leadership program for mid-career library workers. Includes: 4 days of immersive workshops, one on one coaching, and leadership development. Hosted by the Public Library Association.

PLA Leadership Academy participants announced for Fall 2025

The Public Library Association (PLA) Leadership Development Committee has selected 27 exceptional librarians to participate in the Fall 2025 PLA Leadership Academy.

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PLA Releases Results from the 2024 Public Library Staff Survey

The Public Library Association (PLA) has released the 2024 Public Library Staff Survey report. The annual surveys since 2020 have followed a rotating series of topics—Technology, Staff, and Services for Strong Communities.

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PLA celebrates Project Outcome success; transitions resources for free ongoing use

The Public Library Association (PLA) today launched a suite of outcome measurement resources developed as part of the Project Outcome toolkit.

Navigating Difficult Situations in Public Libraries by margaret Ann Paauw

PLA Releases ‘Navigating Difficult Situations in Public Libraries: The PLA Guide to Trauma-Informed De-Escalation’ Publication

This hands-on resource will show library workers how to de-escalate difficult situations safely and effectively.

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ALA Disappointed by Senate Vote to Block Hotspot Funds

The American Library Association expressed strong disappointment following the Senate’s passage of S.J. Res. 7, a Congressional Review Act resolution that overturns the FCC's decision to allow E-rate funding for Wi-Fi hotspot lending by libraries.

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IMLS Cuts Put America’s Public Libraries at Risk

The elimination of federal funding for public libraries will be felt in every community across the country, and particularly in rural areas.