History of the Public Library Association
91´«Ã½
Formation
The formation of the "Division of Public Libraries" of the 91´«Ã½ was approved by 91´«Ã½ Council on Oct. 13, 1944, following petitions signed by nearly 1,200 members (91´«Ã½ Handbook, December 1, 1944; and 91´«Ã½ Bulletin, September, 1945).
75th Anniversary
Beginning in 2019 through the , PLA recognized its milestone 75th anniversary by reflecting on its storied history, celebrating its achievements, honoring the people who have contributed to its success, and garnering financial support for what comes next.
Mission
The original mission of the division was "to advance public library interests and to cooperate in the promotion of library service in general" (91´«Ã½ Handbook, December 1, 1944).
Dues
Original dues were established as 20 percent of the dues paid to 91´«Ã½, not to exceed $2.00 (91´«Ã½ Handbook, December 1, 1944).
President
First PLA President was Amy Winslow, Cuyahoga County (OH) Library (91´«Ã½ Handbook, December 1, 1944).
View the list of all past Presidents from 1944 to present.
PLA Presidents' annual reports (beginning with 2010–2011) are available in the .
Executive Secretary
First PLA Executive Secretary (now titled Executive Director) was Julia Wright Merrill (91´«Ã½ Handbook, December 1 1944).
View the list of all past Executive Directors from 1944 to present.
Journal
Public Libraries, the official journal of the Public Library Association, commenced publication in January, 1947. The first editor was Muriel E. Perry, Decatur (IL) Public Library (Public Libraries, Vol. 1, No.1, January, 1947).
National Conference
PLA's First National Conference, with the theme "Serving People: Public Libraries Today and Tomorrow," was presented March 23–26, 1983, in Baltimore, MD. The conference chair was Charles W. Robinson.
