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Show Up for Our Libraries

April 9, 2026

ALA and AFSCME Prevail in Fight to Protect Libraries and Museums Nationwide

On April 9, 2026, the American Library Association (ALA) – the largest library association in the world – and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) – the nation’s largest union of cultural workers – reached a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice that protects the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and ensures the agency will continue carrying out its congressionally mandated work.

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New wave of bills targeting libraries is ‘a threat to our democracy,’ American Library Association warns

The association, founded in 1876, condemned legislation that would threaten librarians and other educators with criminal prosecution for possessing “obscene” material.
 

 

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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...

PLA 2022 Conference

Registration and housing now open for PLA 2022 Conference

CHICAGO — Today, the Public Library Association (PLA) announced that registration and housing are officially open for the PLA 2022 Conference. The conference will take place March 23-25 in Portland, Ore.; most events will be held at the Oregon Convention...

PLA 2022 Conference

PLA now accepting proposals for PLA 2022 Conference

CHICAGO — Today, the Public Library Association (PLA) officially opened the Call for Proposals for educational sessions to be presented at its next biennial conference, to be held Mar. 23-25, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. The PLA 2022 Conference will...

Public Library Association stands with Nashville in wake of tornado

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) is deeply saddened at news of the devastating impact of last night’s deadly tornado in Nashville and central Tennessee. Nashville Public Library locations are closed today, except for polling locations. PLA...

Ten ALA Spectrum Scholars awarded grants to attend PLA 2020 Conference

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) has awarded travel grants for ten Spectrum Scholars to attend the PLA 2020 Conference, taking place Feb. 25-29 in Nashville, Tenn. The American Library Association's Spectrum Scholarship Program actively...

PLA opens registration for 2020 Virtual Conference

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) is offering an alternative opportunity for public library workers who are unable to attend the PLA 2020 Conference in Nashville, Tenn. PLA will present a condensed, live, online conference experience—the PLA...

15 library students & professionals awarded 75th-Anniversary Scholarships to attend PLA 2020 Conference

CHICAGO – Today, the Public Library Association's (PLA) unveiled the winners of its 75th Anniversary Scholarships. To celebrate PLA's 75th Anniversary and encourage equity, diversity and inclusion in library leadership, PLA sponsored scholarships for 15...

Early-bird member discount for PLA 2020 Conference expires Friday, Dec. 20

CHICAGO — Members of the Public Library Association (PLA) and Tennessee Library Association have until Friday, Dec. 20, to take advantage of deeply discounted registration rates for the PLA 2020 Conference. Thanks to the early-bird registration offer, PLA...

Speakers announced for PLA 2020 Conference General Sessions

CHICAGO — Today, the Public Library Association (PLA) has secured an outstanding slate of inspiring and entertaining speakers for the PLA 2020 Conference, taking place Feb. 25-29, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Offered biennially, the PLA Conference is the...

Columbus, Ohio selected as site of PLA 2024 Conference

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) is proud to announce Columbus, Ohio, as the host city for the PLA 2024 Conference. The PLA Conference typically draws between 8,000 and 10,000 attendees, and the Columbus event will be held Apr. 3–6, 2024, at...

PLA 2020 Conference logo

Registration & housing now open for PLA 2020 Conference

CHICAGO — Today, the Public Library Association (PLA) announced that registration and housing are officially open for the PLA 2020 Conference. The conference will take place Feb. 25-29 in downtown Nashville, Tennessee; most events will be held at the...

PLA 75th Anniversary logo

PLA announces plans to commemorate 75th anniversary

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) will officially turn 75 years old on Oct. 13, 2019, and the entire public library field is encouraged to be a part of PLA’s Diamond Anniversary celebration. From now through the PLA 2020 Conference, we will...

PLA 2020 Conference logo

PLA now accepting proposals for 2020 Conference

CHICAGO — Today, the Public Library Association (PLA) officially opened the Call for Proposals for educational sessions to be presented at its next biennial conference, to be held Feb. 25-29, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. The PLA 2020 Conference will highlight...

PLA 2018 Ten Essential Programs - cover

Latest 'Quick Reads' publication highlights essential programs from PLA 2018 Conference

CHICAGO -- The Public Library Association (PLA) has added a new publication to its collection of resources that are available free of charge to all PLA personal members in good standing. PLA 2018: Ten Essential Programs is the sixth installment in the...

Two PLA Conference programs, cancelled in Philadelphia, now offered as free webinars

CHICAGO -- The Public Library Association (PLA) announced today that the content from two educational programs originally scheduled for presentation at the PLA 2018 Conference will be offered as free webinars this month. The two programs -- Conflict as...