Technology Committee

Charge and Work

To help public libraries use technology to improve services; to consider the impacts and opportunities presented by technology; to collect and disseminate information on technology innovation which might be applied in public library operations; to provide channels of communication for sharing among public librarians about technology; and to work with PLA Board and staff toward achieving PLA strategic planning goals as they relate to the use and impact of technology in public library services.

Please note: Effective July 2024, the Technology Committee will transition from a committee to an advisory group. The PLA Board approved this change in Fall 2023 to ensure standing committees remain aligned with the current PLA Strategic Plan, while advisory groups continue to support work that is critical to serving the public library field.

Deliverables and outcomes:

  • Propose and submit presentations at ALA Annual on technology topics relevant to the public library. The 2019 presentation is Code for America and Your Public Library: How to Harness the Awesome Power of the Collective Will. Upcoming topic: Information Privacy/Data Security.
  • Propose and implement ideas about how PLA might support public libraries with regards to technology challenges, such as cybersecurity awareness training.
  • Engage in a collaborative process to identify, fast-prototype and implement technology-related presentations, trainings, proposals and projects.

Expected time commitment:

  • Attend ALA Midwinter Meeting and ALA Annual Conference (8 hours/year plus travel time)
  • Review and respond to emails and ALA Connect messages (2–3 hours/year)

Desired skills, knowledge, or experience:

  • Open minded about libraries and technology
  • Willingness to engage in spirited discussion
  • Interest in and/or familiarity with the technology landscape with regards to public libraries
  • Collaborative attitude

Roster

Mr. David Lee King (Chair, July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024)
Radha Ashok (Member, July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025)
Mr. Michael Bartolomeo (Member, July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025)
Mrs. Andrea Berstler (Member, July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025)
Cresta H. Craner (Member, July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025)
Kayce K. Hall (Member, July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025)
Alexis Nicole Mendoza (Member, July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025)
Jessica Zairo (Member, July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025)
Steven Hofmann (Staff Liaison, July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024)

Displaying active committee roster as of 03/28/2024. Last retrieved on 03/28/2024. Members can log in and refresh the page to view full contact information for committee members.

Composition

The Technology Committee consists of a minimum of four members, up to 10 members, appointed from the membership at large and led by a chair.

Origin

Established at the request of the PLA Board.

Get Involved

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 ALA and PLA.

Join the PLA Digital Literacy Interest Group on ALA Connect to stay up-to-date on these topics and connect with peers on similar issues. PLA personal membership is required to join.

Staff Liaison

Steven Hofmann
Digital Product Manager
312-280-5047
shofmann@ala.org