Public Library Staff and Diversity: Results from PLA’s 2021 Survey

On-Demand
Webinar
Highlights how the data suggests both opportunities and challenges for the future of public libraries.

91´«Ã½

An overview of the results of the 2021 annual survey on Public Library Staff and Diversity. The results provide new and updated information related to beginning librarian and library director salaries; staff roles; hiring and retention efforts; and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) goals and activities. This free on-demand webinar highlights how the data suggests both opportunities and challenges for the future of public libraries. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and learn how to engage in PLA’s on-going data-related initiatives.

Originally presented October 4, 2022.

The Public Library Staff and Diversity Report: Results from the 2021 PLA Annual Survey was published on August 23, 2022, and is freely and publicly accessible on the PLA website. The full dataset is available in .

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this free on-demand webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Identify current trends in public library staff and diversity work;
  • Explore survey results and develop potential next steps; and
  • Use visualizations and participate in future PLA surveys.

Additional Resources

Who Should Attend

This on-demand webinar is intended for all public library staff, but may be of particular interest to directors and administrators.

Panelists

Maria McCauley is director of libraries for the City of Cambridge (MA) where she oversees administration, finance, facilities, and operations across seven libraries. She leads a team of 150 talented staff members and works closely with three boards and across the City to achieve an inclusive, ambitious vision of library services for all. Under her leadership, the Cambridge Public Library has increased its budget from $9M to $17M, expanded its branch hours by sixty-five hours per week; opened the award-winning Valente Branch library; launched a STEAM at the Library program including the first free public $1.8M maker space in Cambridge; gone fine free; led a kindergarten card campaign which resulted in an opt-out instead of opt-in process, resulting in approximately 95% of 5 year old’s having library cards; started a social work program; and prioritized the library’s antiracism, equity, and inclusion efforts. She serves on the City of Cambridge’s Family Policy Council and Birth-to-Third Grade initiative.

Maria began her library career twenty-three years ago at the Cambridge Public Library in circulation and reference services. Before returning to Cambridge, she served as the director of libraries in Santa Monica (CA), director of libraries for the City of Somerville (MA), and held several library positions at Northeastern University (Boston, MA). She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio Wesleyan University, a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh, and a PhD from Simmons. She is president of the Public Library Association, a major division of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½). She served on the 91´«Ã½’s Executive Board and is on the Board of Advisors of Beacon Press.

Dan Hensley is Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s (CPL) coordinator of adult learning and has served on PLA’s Measurement, Evaluation, and Assessment Committee since 2019. Prior to joining CLP, Dan was a reference and instruction librarian at San Francisco Public Library; University of California, Berkeley; and University of Pittsburgh.

Sara Goek is project manager, data and research, at PLA. She is responsible for managing PLA’s data and research initiatives, and developing related training content.

Katina Jones is PLA’s program manager for evaluation and assessment. She supports Project Outcome, Benchmark, PLA's annual topical surveys, and other data and evaluation work.

Presented By:

Event tags:
Administration & Leadership
Free
On-Demand
Online
Public Library
Rural Library
Tribal Library
Urban Library
Webinar
October 04, 2022
1:00 - 2:00pm CDT

Vimeo

Free
Upcoming Events
08
Jan
eLearning
Webinar

91´«Ã½

Learn how to partner with local agencies to create an uplifting environment of connection and support for older adults.

09
Jan
Webinar

91´«Ã½

Hear 60 tips for leadership, navigating intellectual freedom challenges, supporting early childhood development, and

11
Jan
eLearning

91´«Ã½

The presentation is focused on the responsibilities of Trustees in ensuring that their libraries are truly welcoming to

14
Jan
eLearning
Forum

91´«Ã½

Are you interested in fostering increasing retention in the library workplace? Join us for a conversation about

14
Jan
eLearning

91´«Ã½

January 2025 Learning Live

14
Jan
eLearning
Webinar

91´«Ã½

Connect with colleagues and hear from PLA member-leaders at this free virtual town hall.

15
Jan
eLearning
Forum

91´«Ã½

Are you interested in fostering increasing retention in the library workplace? Join us for a conversation about

15
Jan
Webinar

91´«Ã½

The January 2025 meeting of Edi and Neal's Book Club puts Your Passport to International Librarianship in conversation

21
Jan
eLearning

91´«Ã½

This webinar shows how to draw from new approaches and technologies to harness experimentation as a tool for testing

22
Jan
eLearning
Webinar

91´«Ã½

Learn to create engaging spaces for library patrons of all ages from real-life examples and outcomes.

24
Jan
27
Jan
Conference

91´«Ã½

Join us and be inspired and motivated by thought-leaders, authors, and subject matter experts, and celebrate your

26
Jan

91´«Ã½

How does the RMRT book club work? It's actually a book club that librarians can enjoy! We would love to have you join us

27
Jan
02
Feb
Celebration

91´«Ã½

Resources to share with your learners to celebrate Crayola Creativity Week.

01
Feb
28
Feb
Celebration

91´«Ã½

Resources to celebrate Black History Month with your learners.

03
Feb
eLearning

91´«Ã½

A four-week asynchronous course on Inside Interlibrary Loan

05
Feb
eLearning
Webinar

91´«Ã½

Learn how to create a culture of empathy and action by developing micro-communities to combat loneliness.