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CHICAGO — Public librarians have a unique opportunity to shine professionally when they contribute to Public Libraries, the peer-written, peer-reviewed bimonthly journal of the Public Library Association (PLA). PLA is currently looking to fill vacancies for two columns and find contributing writers to a feature issue on e-books.

The columns with openings are "Passing Notes," a column that explores young adult service and "The Wired Library," a column that explores Web topics relevant to public librarians. Applicants must be members of PLA and able to turn in six columns a year of approximately 1,200 to 1,500 words in length, either by writing the column or finding an alternate author (i.e., a guest columnist on a specific subject). Interested authors should send a note to Public Libraries Editor Kathleen Hughes at khughes@ala.org along with information about their library experience and writing samples or links to writing samples. The Public Libraries Advisory Committee will review applications and select the new columnists. The deadline Is Nov. 21, 2011.

PLA is also looking for public librarians to share their experiences with e-books in feature articles or short opinion pieces in the January/February 2012 issue of Public Libraries. Three feature articles and two opinion pieces will be selected. Feature articles are generally 2,500-5,000 words and Verso columns (opinion pieces) are 1,500 words. Please submit articles via PLA’s by Nov. 18. PLA membership is not required. Send queries or requests for more information to Public Libraries Editor Kathleen Hughes, khughes@ala.org.

For more information about PLA, contact the PLA office at (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or visit PLA’s website at 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.