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CHICAGO — Today, the Public Library Association (PLA) announced that registration and housing are officially open for the . The conference will take place March 23-25 in Portland, Ore.; most events will be held at the , located at 777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

Like the institutions they support, the role of the public library worker is ever-changing. The COVID-19 crisis magnified this, but public libraries responded swiftly and creatively to meet evolving needs. The PLA 2022 Conference also is evolving to provide public library staff, trustees, friends and vendors the opportunity to reconnect with one another, recreate the services they provide, and revitalize the passion for the work they do every day.

PLA will be working closely with the Oregon Convention Center and following state and local protocols to provide the safest environment for our attendees. While this aspect of the conference may feel different, attendees will still find the top-quality educational programming, awe-inspiring speakers, award-winning authors, and trend-setting exhibitors for which the PLA Conference is known.

Single-day and full-conference packages are available. A full-conference registration includes access to the following:

• The Opening Session on March 23 and Closing Session on March 25;
• 'Big Ideas' sessions on the mornings of March 24 and 25;
• More than 100 educational programs curated for, and by, public library professionals;
• The Exhibits Hall, open March 23-25 (); and
• The Exhibits Opening Reception on March 23, Exhibits Closing Reception on March 25, and All-Conference Reception on March 24.

Personal members of PLA, the Oregon Library Association (OLA), and the Pacific Northwest Library Association (PNLA) save $280 over non-members with exclusive access to the Early Bird discount through January 7, 2022. Advance registration will then be available for all attendees through February 18, 2022. Tickets to and select author events are available at an additional charge. for the full schedule of rates.

PLA also has secured room blocks at 19 Portland hotels, most within one mile of the convention center. Conference registration is required in order to reserve a room in the PLA block. must be made prior to March 3, 2022.

A variety of are still available. Prospective exhibitors may contact Kristy Wagner at 312-265-9667 or pla@corcexpo.com. For sponsorship information, please contact Mary Michalik, Sponsorship Director, 312-265-9650 or mary@corcexpo.com; or Matt McLaughlin at 312-265-9655 or matt@corcexpo.com.

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 .

About PLA

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.