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Important information about PLA Regional Trainings related to Coronavirus COVID 19

After much deliberation, PLA has made the difficult decision to postpone and reschedule some of its upcoming regional training workshops. This decision comes after considering the most recent guidance from the CDC and the WHO regarding the evolving Coronavirus and its potential impact on those traveling and attending group gatherings. See below for more information.

Social Justice and Public Libraries: Equity Starts with Us

PLA Regional Training

May 18–19, 2020 – POSTPONED

Austin Public Library

Austin, TX

–and–

May 20–21, 2020 – POSTPONED

Austin Public Library

Austin, TX

–and–

August 24–25, 2020 – POSTPONED

The Seattle Public Library

Seattle, WA

–and–

September 21–22, 2020 – POSTPONED

Broward County Public Library

Fort Lauderdale, FL

–and–

October 26–27, 2020 – POSTPONED

Kansas City Public Library

Kansas City, MO

A regional symposium on equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice for public libraries, to be led by Mia Henry, a facilitator and educator who teaches self-reflection, relationship-building, and understanding social movement history. This one-and-a-half day symposium will explore how power and privilege operate interpersonally and institutionally; identify how oppression shows up in our communities and libraries; and learn about historical and contemporary social justice movements. Participants will hear from libraries putting equity into practice, develop regional connections, and create local action plans to advance equity and social justice in our organizations and communities. In 2019, symposia were held in Denver, CO; Charleston, SC; Chicago, IL; and Toledo, OH. The first symposium will be held February 25–26, 2019 at the Denver Public Library in Denver, CO. The symposium will be offered two additional times in 2019, and registration is open for all three sessions:

• August 12–13, 2019 at the Charleston County Public Library in Charleston, SC
• October 21–22, 2019 in Chicago, IL

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PLA Leadership Academy

March 25–29, 2019

Chicago, IL
--> PLA is dedicated to building and supporting leadership for public libraries that is reflective of the needs of each community and the profession. The PLA Leadership Academy empowers public library professionals to become innovative and successful leaders of change, shifting their libraries from an internal approach—focused on organizational operations—to an external approach—focused on community needs. Twenty-eight public library leaders participated in the fifth PLA Leadership Academy, which was held March 25–29 in Chicago, IL. And with funding and support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Global Libraries program, PLA partnered with the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA) to develop an academy for African public librarians. Twelve African librarians also participated in the Spring 2019 PLA Leadership Academy, which served as the capstone project for the first graduating class of the African Leadership Academy. PLA is currently working on plans for future Leadership Academies. More information will be shared here when available.

PLA Dynamic Planning Institute

PLA's next offering of the Dynamic Planning Institute will be as a full-day preconference at the PLA 2018 Conference in Philadelphia. Registration now open!

PLA’s Dynamic Planning Institute delivers best practices in strategic planning for libraries with a unique focus on simple, low-cost planning. Participants will learn how to create a dynamic strategic plan, in a timely manner, which will serve as a living document and create actionable pathways for decision making, community involvement, and funding priorities.

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More In-Person and Blended Learning Opportunities

Turning the Page

Build advocacy skills and confidence through Turning the Page! A fully customizable advocacy training curriculum is now available through Turning the Page: Building Libraries, Strengthening Communities.