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CHICAGO — Today, the Public Library Association (PLA) officially opened the for educational sessions to be presented at its nextbiennial conference, to be held Mar. 23-25, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. The will highlight innovative work and ideas that address the core challenges facing public libraries and their communities today. It will feature top-quality continuing education programs, social events, networking opportunities and a bustling exhibition hall.

The COVID-19 crisis magnified the changing role of public libraries and public library workers, but they responded swiftly and creatively to meet their communities' evolving needs. The PLA 2022 Conference will also transform to provide public library professionals the opportunity to come together in person or virtually to connect with one another and revitalize their passion for the work they do every day. While some aspects of the conference will change due health protocols, providing high-quality programming remains PLA’s top priority. PLA is seeking proposals for educational sessions that reflect the innovation, creativity, adaptability, and diversity we have seen emerge from the public library field this past year.

Most educational programs will be 60-minute sessions that follow the format of a panel discussion, case study presentation, peer-to-peer dialogue, or skill-building workshop. PLA will also present a limited number of in-depth preconference sessions that may be a half-day or full-day in duration. All participating speakers will be expected to register for and attend the conference. Speakers must also respond to PLA information requests in a timely manner and submit final versions of all session handouts electronically prior to conference.

Proposals should outline plans for innovative, engaging educational programs that address the core challenges facing public libraries and their communities today. For the 2022 Conference, PLA is especially interested in proposals and speakers representing a wide range of diversity, with a commitment to representation of groups that have been historically marginalized or excluded due to race, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ability, economic background, and age.

Prospective presenters are strongly encouraged to and before . The proposal submission portal will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Jun. 21, 2021.

The PLA 2022 Conference Program Subcommittee will review all submitted proposals and select conference sessions based on their relevance to the profession and general interest to conference attendees. Further information regarding the proposal form, selection criteria, requirements, and instructions can be found .

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About the Public Library Association

The Public Library Association (PLA) is the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals. Founded in 1944, PLA serves nearly 10,000 members in public libraries large and small in communities across the United States and Canada, with a growing presence around the world. PLA strives to help its members shape the essential institution of public libraries by serving as an indispensable ally for public library leaders. For more information about PLA, contact the PLA office at 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or pla@ala.org.

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