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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 to share digital skill-building tools in free September webinar

CHICAGO – Public libraries have long been leaders in bringing people into the digital world, providing programs and services that help patrons get jobs, gain knowledge, increase productivity, and engage with others online. Leveraging and strengthening...

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ALA urges libraries to partner with National Voter Registration Day

** Sign up by September 12 to receive free promotional resources ** WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Library Association (ALA), a Premier Partner of National Voter Registration Day, encourages libraries to sign up to observe the unofficial holiday on...

Upcoming webinar offers guidance on starting a WiFi hotspot lending program at the library

CHICAGO -- Last month, PLA announced a new project, supported by Microsoft Corp., called DigitalLead: Rural Libraries Creating New Possibilities, which seeks to increase digital skills programming and access to technology in rural communities. Through...

ALA and US library associations affirm commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) and several library associations in the United States have pledged their commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). ALA, AALL (the American Association of Law Libraries), CNI (the Coalition for...

Public Library Association expands access to technology and digital skills training for rural communities with Microsoft Philanthropies

CHICAGO — Today, the Public Library Association (PLA) announced a new effort, supported by Microsoft Corp., to increase digital skills programming and access to technology in rural communities. Through $400,000 donated by Microsoft Philanthropies, PLA...

PLA, NNLM expand strategic partnership through consumer health programming survey

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) has added another collaborative project to its ongoing partnership with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM), a program of the National Library of Medicine (NLM). Through this partnership, PLA...

Public Library Association, National Network of Libraries of Medicine join in supporting the NIH’s All of Us Research Program

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) has expanded its partnership with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM), a program of the National Library of Medicine (NLM). In 2017, the two organizations launched Promoting Healthy...

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Spring 2019 PLA Leadership Academy participants announced

CHICAGO – The Public Library Association (PLA) Leadership Development Committee has selected 28 exceptional librarians to participate in the Spring 2019 PLA Leadership Academy, which will be held Mar. 25–29 in Chicago, Ill. The PLA Leadership Academy...

1st Place winner Mim Eichmann

Winners of National Short Fiction Contest announced

CHICAGO — Six outstanding writers are being recognized for their entries in the Public Library Association’s (PLA) National Short Fiction Contest. This fall, more than 600 writers across the U.S. entered the contest by submitting short stories on the...

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National Short Fiction Contest enters judging phase

Public encouraged to vote in Readers’ Choice competition CHICAGO – The submissions are in, now it’s your turn to weigh in. This fall, the Public Library Association (PLA) launched a national short story writing contest, inviting writers across the U.S. to...

Public Library Association supports libraries in connecting consumers to health care coverage

CHICAGO – Today (Nov. 1, 2018*) marks the beginning of the six-week enrollment period for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the Public Library Association (PLA) is providing support for public libraries to help their...

Public Library Association launches health insurance enrollment initiative

Will offer funding for public libraries to connect consumers to coverage CHICAGO – As part of its ongoing work to support the public library’s role in creating healthy communities, the Public Library Association (PLA) is offering new resources for...

Public Library Association joins with OCLC to help public libraries, partners respond to opioid epidemic

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) announced today that it will collaborate with OCLC on new project to collect and share knowledge and resources to support public libraries and their community partners in addressing the opioid crisis. OCLC...

PLA to hold short-fiction writing contest this fall

National competition begins Sept. 25 CHICAGO – The Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association, is inviting writers to submit original works of short fiction for a National Writing Contest taking place this fall. Only...

New policy brief highlights state initiatives to promote family engagement in public libraries

BOSTON — State library leaders are promoting two-generation approaches to early learning and fostering environments in which children and the adults in their lives have equal opportunities to create knowledge and gain new skills together. The Global...