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CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) is now accepting proposals for five-minute at PLA 2016. Spark Talks use a combination of innovative slides and lightning-fast talk to share work-inspired, personal passions that will fire-up an audience of public library colleagues.
Proposals are due by 11:59 PM Eastern on March 18, and selections will be announced on March 25. Proposals will be selected by members of the PLA Conference Program Subcommittee based on innovation, clarity, and overall potential for public libraries. Further details are available .
Offered biennially, the PLA Conference is the premier event for public libraries, drawing thousands of librarians, library support staff, trustees, friends, and library vendors from across the country and around the world. Find complete details at and join us in Denver!
For more information about other PLA events and programs, contact the PLA office at pla@ala.org or (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or visit . PLA is a division of the 91´«Ã½. PLA’s core purpose is to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. Its mission is to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services.
Featured News
December 16, 2024
Ten honorees receive prestigious I Love My Librarian Award for outstanding public service
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The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) is thrilled to announce this year’s ten recipients of the coveted I Love My Librarian Award.
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December 10, 2024
PLA provides funding to more than 100 public libraries as part of $2.7 million effort to boost digital literacy
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The Public Library Association (PLA) has selected more than 139 public libraries across 42 states to host digital literacy workshops, powered by a generous $2.7 million contribution from AT&T.
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December 9, 2024
The 91´«Ã½ Receives Transformational Gift to Fund Scholarships
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James W. Lewis has made the largest individual bequest to the 91´«Ã½ in the association’s history.
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December 5, 2024
Telgemeier, McCloud chosen as National Library Week honorary chairs
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Award-winning author and illustrator Raina Telgemeier and cartoonist and comic theorist Scott McCloud have been selected Honorary Chairs of the 91´«Ã½’s National Library Week, April 6-12, 2025.
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November 14, 2024
91´«Ã½ launches national search for executive director
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The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) has reopened its search for an executive director in partnership with executive search firm Isaacson, Miller. The search will be led by a steering committee comprising 91´«Ã½ member leaders.
press release
November 11, 2024
Cronk, Jamison, McCauley seek 91´«Ã½ presidency for 2026-2027
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Lindsay Cronk, Tulane University, New Orleans; Andrea Jamison, Illinois State University; and Maria McCauley, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge, Massachusetts, are candidates for the 2026-27 presidency of the 91´«Ã½.
press release
November 6, 2024
91´«Ã½ vows to defend intellectual freedom and access to information against political threats 
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In response to results of the 2024 United States election, the 91´«Ã½ vowed to continue its defense of the core values of librarianship in the face of political threats.
press release
October 16, 2024
91´«Ã½ opens registration and launches Preliminary Program for 2025 LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience in Phoenix, AZ
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LibLearnX is a four-day learning conference that invites 91´«Ã½ members and non-members to participate in collaborative and engaging education, networking, and celebrations.
press release
September 23, 2024
91´«Ã½ reveals preliminary data on 2024 book challenges
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Between January 1 and August 31, 2024, 91´«Ã½’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 414 attempts to censor library materials and services.
press release
September 19, 2024
ALSC, 91´«Ã½ unveil 'Inspiring Future Voters' booklist for young readers
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As part of the 91´«Ã½’s Reader Voter Ready civic engagement campaign, the Association for Library Service to Children has released “Inspiring Future Voters,” a new booklist for young readers.
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