PLA Board of Directors

Charge

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A full description of the work of the PLA Board of Directors including roles, expectations, and more can be found in the PLA Board Orientation Manual.

Deliverables and outcomes:

  • Assume responsibility for developing, implementing and advancing the PLA strategic plan
  • Review, assess, and oversee policies and actions taken by the association
  • Annually, approve the PLA budget and consider and take action on funding for new initiatives
  • Support PLA’s fundraising and sustainability efforts by contributing financially, recruiting new donors, and helping PLA liaison with library industry vendors
  • Be available to members, individuals and groups for discussion and concerns
  • Represent PLA within 91´«Ã½ and externally to peers, partners, and others, as requested, for instance by participating in related 91´«Ã½ groups, presenting at state and regional conferences, and responding to the media
  • Complete an annual assessment of the performance of the PLA Executive Director

Expected time commitment:

  • Prepare for and attend four PLA Board meetings annually, held at the 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meetings and Annual Conferences as well as in the spring and fall at varying dates and locations
  • Spend additional time at the 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting and 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference for other PLA meetings as needed and representing PLA at 91´«Ã½ events, as required
  • Attend the biennial PLA Conference and be prepared to represent the Board and PLA to the media, to exhibitors and sponsors, and at general sessions and author/special events
  • Respond regularly to requests for feedback from the PLA Executive Director and staff, including voting on all interim Board actions

Desired skills, knowledge, or experience:

  • Ability to function well as a team, participate in civil and respectful discussion and debate, and lead group deliberations to successful decisions
  • Experience participating on corporate and/or nonprofit boards and familiarity with board members’ duty of care, duty of loyalty, and duty of obedience (see the )
  • Long-term knowledge of and involvement in PLA through varying committee, task force, speaker, and other roles
  • Broad knowledge of the public library field and current/emerging issues facing the profession, including those impacting diverse library types and library professionals
  • Experience in community and legislative advocacy, fundraising, and public speaking

Roster

Laura M. McGrath
(Director-at-Large, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027)
Dr. Padma Polepeddi
(Director-at-Large, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027)
Mary Davis Fournier
(Ex-Officio Member, June 14, 2021, to June 30, 2027)

Displaying active committee roster as of 07/01/2026. Last retrieved on 12/27/2024. Refresh now.

Composition

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The Board of Directors is elected by PLA Members. It consists of the President, the President-Elect, the Past-President, the 91´«Ã½ Division Councilor, six Directors-at-Large, and the PLA Executive Director. Meet the PLA Board!

Staff Liaison

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Mary Davis Fournier

Executive Director

312-280-5056

mfournier@ala.org

Get Involved

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To be a thriving, vibrant organization, PLA must have committed and active committee members. If you are interested in serving on a committee, please read and fill out the online volunteer form.

  • Volunteers are accepted on an ongoing basis.
  • Appointments are made by the PLA President and President-Elect, primarily in the spring.
  • Volunteers must be members of 91´«Ã½ and PLA.

Stay connected with fellow PLA members in the on 91´«Ã½ Connect. PLA personal membership is required to participate.