The Public Library Association (PLA), with more than 10,000 members, is one of the fastest growing divisions of the American Library Association (ALA), the oldest and largest library association in the world. Founded in 1944 and based at ALA Headquarters in Chicago, PLA's core purpose is to strengthen public libraries and the contributions they make to the communities they serve. PLA core values are:
PLA's goals for the next three to five years (PLA Strategic Plan, June 2002) are:
Public libraries will be recognized as the destination for a wide variety of valuable services and their funding will be a community priority.
PLA will be a valued partner of public library initiatives to create a nation of readers.
Public libraries will be recognized as exciting places to work and will be staffed by skilled professionals who are recognized as the information experts, are competitively paid and reflect the demographics of their communities.
Transfer PLA will be nationally recognized as the leading source for continuing education opportunities for public library staff and trustees.
PLA is a member-focused organization that exists to provide a diverse program of communication, publication, advocacy, continuing education and programming for its members and others interested in the advancement of public library service.
PLA's 23-person Board of Directors oversees the work of over 60 committees, including business committees and the committees of the three PLA special-interest clusters. These are:
PLA members receive the periodical publication Public Libraries , preferred rates on PLA continuing education events and on PLA publications. Only personal members of PLA have the right to vote in PLA elections, serve on PLA committees and hold PLA office. PLA dues also include free membership in any or all three of our special-interest clusters.
Every other year, PLA members come together at the largest conference devoted exclusively to public librarianship. The PLA National Conferences offer more than 120 top-quality continuing education programs from which to choose. Special events include pre-conferences, author luncheons, Talk Tables and more than 700 public library exhibits.
Upcoming PLA National Conferences include:
PLA 2006 – 11th National Conference – March 20 – 25, 2006 – Boston
PLA 2008 – 12th National Conference – March 25 – 29, 2008 – Minneapolis
PLA 2010 – 13th National Conference – March 23 – 27, 2010 – Portland, Ore.
PLA offers several programs and pre-conference programs during the ALA Annual Conference. In addition, several special PLA member events are held at ALA's Annual Conference including the President's Program and Reception.
This workshop series allows for an in-depth look at a particular area, from the latest hot topics to issues of daily concern. Held in the spring of non-national conference years, usually in Chicago, the symposium offers a choice from five to seven topics and includes author luncheons and other special events.
PLA 2007 Spring Symposium-- March 7 - 9, 2005, Chicago, Illinois
The new PLA online learning format 'e-Learning @ PLA,' is designed to help users learn more efficiently and to facilitate ease of collaboration between colleagues and instructors. The first course of study offered in this new venture is "Creating Policies for Results." PLA plans to add a variety of course options.
Regional Workshops
In addition to the Spring Symposium, National Conference and programming held in conjunction with ALA conferences, PLA hosts workshops each year on a variety of topics, held in locations throughout the country.
PLA's Web site offers instant information about membership, conferences, products and activities, including online continuing education through e-Learning@PLA.
E-Newsletter
PLA E-News, PLA's electronic newsletter, contains late-breaking news and information of interest to PLA members.
E-Publication
“Tech Notes,” a series of mini-publications dealing with technology, is available from the PLA Web page.
Public Libraries Magazine
Public Libraries , published six times a year, is the official journal of PLA and the only ALA journal devoted exclusively to public libraries. Each bimonthly issue offers articles and columns on hot topics, public library trends, and subjects of professional concern. Public Libraries encourages working public librarians to submit manuscripts for potential publication in the journal. Submission guidelines and deadlines are posted at www.pla.org .
Books and Monographs
PLA's active publishing program provides top-quality books and monographs on a wide range of public library concerns and issues. Some notable PLA publications include:
Public Library Data Service Statistical Report (PLA, published annually 1987-present)
Wired for the Future – Developing Your Library Technology Plan (ALA, 1999)
Managing for Results – Effective Resource Allocation for Public Libraries (ALA, 2000)
The New Planning for Results: A Streamlined Approach (ALA, 2001)
Staffing for Results: A Guide to Working Smarter (ALA, 2002)
Creating Policies for Results - From Chaos to Clarity (ALA, 2003)
Public Library Advocacy
In September 2004, PLA launched an exciting new advocacy campaign, “The Smartest Card. Get It! Use It! @your library ®,” in conjunction with ALA's National Library Card Sign-Up Month. This multi-year campaign is designed especially for public librarians and libraries to promote the value of public libraries. Linked to a key goal of the PLA Strategic Plan—that public libraries will be recognized as the destination for a wide variety of services and that their funding will be a community priority—the campaign will provide tools librarians need to insure all current and potential constituencies recognize and take advantage of the value of their public library.
PLA Early Literacy Project
Every Child Ready to Read @your library®
Recognizing the critical need for early literacy education and aware of the resources and knowledge librarians bring, PLA has worked with the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), educators and researchers to develop the Every Child Ready to Read @your library ® program. In the program, PLA trains librarians to present programs to parents and caregivers using models developed for PLA by Dr. Grover C. Whitehurst and Dr. Christopher Lonigan, based on most current research-based findings concerning reading development in America's children.
This library program has been proven to make a difference helping children get ready to read. Research conducted in 2003-04 by PLA and the ALSC (another ALA division) revealed that parents of every age, educational background, income level and ethnicity who participated in the public library early literacy programs significantly increased their literacy behaviors. This research and the Every Child Ready to Read @your library program developed by PLA allow all libraries to be even more effective early literacy advocates and resources within their communities.
Professional Recognition Awards
PLA's awards program has been designed to honor those providing public library service whose vision and accomplishments are extraordinary and deserve recognition. The annual deadline for receiving completed applications is December 1. A complete listing of awards is available on our Web page.
For more information, contact the PLA office at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 5PLA; e-mail: pla@ala.org or see www.pla.org.
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