PLA Conference Information and Deadlines

 

Registration for the PLA 2026 conference is now open.  The conference will be in Minneapolis from April 1-3, 2026.  Please note that these dates overlap with both Good Friday and Passover.  

https://www.placonference.org/registration

The application deadlines are 

      PLA members January 2, 2026.

      ALA members and non-members  February 6, 2026.

Staff interested in attending the virtual PLA events should apply by February 13, 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact SD&T for assistance.  

Call for Proposals for ALA Annual in Chicago

 

Present a PLA Program at ALA 2026 Annual The Public Library Association (PLA) invites you to submit an education program proposal relevant to public libraries for the ALA 2026 Annual Conference, which takes place June 25–29 in Chicago.   The conference explores key challenges and opportunities facing libraries, with professional development rooted in timely research, innovation, and best practices. It will also celebrate the American Library Association's (ALA) 150th anniversary! Proposals from a broad variety of perspectives that celebrate, commemorate, or educate about the impact that ALA and our affiliate partners have made on the profession and on libraries nationally and internationally over the last 150 years are encouraged.   PLA program proposals are due by September 22.   Learn More & Start a Proposal

Public Library Association www.pla.org • (800) 545-2433 x5PLA     American Library Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60601 | pla.org | Review the ALA Privacy Policy

Internet Librarian Connect 2024 (virtual conference)

Internet Librarian Connect 2024

October 22-24, 2024

Deadline for funding requests is September 18, 2024.

The 28th Internet Librarian Connect conference is for information professionals who are using, developing, and embracing internet- and web-based strategies in their roles as information architects and navigators; digital managers, developers, and integrators; content evaluators and curators; taxonomists; searchers; community builders, managers, and partners; information providers, trainers, guides, and more.

Internet Librarian Connect 2024 highlights how libraries are using AI and machine learning to save time for new programs; dealing with big data to pinpoint insights; using sensors and other Internet of Things devices to improve and extend services; experimenting with extended realities like augmented and virtual reality to delight their communities; and tracking and sharing applications of smart technology with their campuses, organizations, and neighborhoods. Internet Librarians never, however, lose sight of people in their communities as they futurize and transform to make sure they are relevant and valuable in their communities

 This comprehensive conference offers a wide-ranging program designed to meet the needs of librarians, information managers, systems professionals, researchers, content managers, curators and information specialists.

Learn more here.

MLA/DLA Annual Conference 2022 - Law on the Frontlines: A Great Refresher!

Law on the Frontlines: A Great Refresher!

Presented by Joan Belistri, Catherine McGuire, and Reena Shah

Not sure who is really behind that Maryland Self Help Law Center phone number??

At this session I was assured the callers we refer would be talking to attorneys dedicated to assisting people in low-medium income brackets navigate the legal system. When librarians refer a customer to the Self Help Law Center the volunteer attorney will be a pro bono lawyer, college or academic faculty lawyer, a lawyer from one of the Judiciary departments, Bar associations, law school clinics or other Court approved legal organizations. 

Providing Legal Information

The panel discussed current and applicable resources valuable to public library librarians and their customers. Here are some refresher highlights.

1.Instead of Black’s Dictionary the panel suggested Cornell’s Legal Terminology which allows for more flexibility. The librarian can utilize it whether addressing a patron in person, through Libchat or Libans. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex

2.Nolo.com is another common resource useful for forms, brief explanations

Legal Encyclopedia, Legal Forms, Law Books, & Software | Nolo

3.Maryland Peoples’ Law Library offers vital legal information for self litigants and Court Help on specific Law Topics. Homepage | The Maryland People's Law Library (peoples-law.org) (PLL)

The “Other Help” page relates well to the recognizable kinds of everyday law questions librarians receive by phone. https://maryland.freelegalanswers.org/OtherHelp

Providing Referrals to Other Organizations

The panel emphasized that often users are looking for help librarians cannot provide but that can be found on websites like those discussed:

• Maryland Court Law Libraries

• PLL Legal Services and Directory

• PLL includes a Maryland Legal Services Directory

Legal Services Directory | The Maryland People's Law Library (peoples-law.org). The directory

Is comprised of organizations that offer no cost or low fee based legal services such as CASA. 

• PPL Legal Clinic Calendar Legal Clinic Calendar | The Maryland People's Law Library (peoples-law.org) includes Pratt’s Lawyer in the Library and similar events throughout Maryland.

• Court Help Centers Maryland Court Help Centers | Maryland Courts (mdcourts.gov)

Likewise, the panel reiterated that librarians distinguish between what they can do: Provide information, a resource or referral that might help. Librarians cannot provide legal advice; an interpretation of a legal subject or help users fill out legal forms.

This session covers the basics and the Advancing Justice Access and Navigate Maryland Legal Information, Court Tools and Resources session provides a more in-depth look at the People's Law Library website, the State Law Library website and more.

Rose Anne Ullrich, Librarian

Information Services

A Quick Guide to MLA funding for this year

 If you are requesting funds to attend the MLA/DLA annual conference this year, here is some information you will need.

The correct hotel amount is $210.30 per night.  This total will not be reflected in your original reservation information, but it includes the resort fees and omits the relevant taxes.  We will provide the hotel with the names of the staff who are attending and they will ensure that the tax free information is applied to your final bill. 

The food allowance is at the usual rate:  $25 for travel days and $50 for full conference days.

The library will pay for one conference food event on Thursday, either the Author Award Luncheon or the Keynote dinner, in addition to the usual food allowance.  

If you wish to attend one of the pre-conference events, you should include a separate justification for this expense in your goals and intentions statement.  How will the library benefit from your participation?

Send a completed registration form with your request, but do not include any personal details in the payment section (e.g. credit card numbers for your hotel deposit ).  Your registration will be paid directly to MLA and then you will be able to make your hotel reservations.

Please indicate which sessions you plan to attend as part of your goals statement, and also if you are serving on a committee related to the conference and/or if you are presenting at the conference.

Please include your home address on the goals statement if it is different from the address on your registration form.  Please include your MLA number if you are a member.

Just a reminder -- your completed forms are due prior to March 11.

Thank you, and please call us if you have any questions.

Funding for MLA is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act Administered by the Maryland State Library.

PLA Conference Funding Deadline is January 1, 2022

If you wish to attend the PLA conference in March, your signed/approved funding request needs to be received by SD&T before January 1, 2022. 

Be sure to include all needed information so your registration can be completed, especially your ALA membership number if you have one.

MLA/DLA Conference 2021 registration now open

Registration is now open for the 2021 combined Maryland and Delaware annual conference. The conference will be held the first week in May, and will be virtual again this year.

If you wish to receive funding to attend the conference you must complete the "Request for Authorization for Leave and/or Expenses" (Form 354), and submit that to your supervisor along with your goals and intentions statement and a copy of your completed registration form.  The forms may be sent by email to the required supervisors.

Your goals and intentions statement must include at least 6 sessions that you will attend at the conference, along with a strong rationale for each.  What do you hope to learn at/bring back from each session and what do you hope to do with the knowledge you gain?   You may substitute other programs during the actual event, as long as you attend at least 6.

You must also include a justification for any pre-conferences you wish to attend, with the same information.  Please include your MLA membership number on the form if you are a member.

Applications must be received by March 19, 2021 to be eligible for funding.

If you have any questions, contact SD&T.

 

MLA/DLA Annual Conference 2021

May 3-7, 2021

Here is a link to the brochure:

https://www.mdlib.org/files/docs/conference/MLAProgram2021.pdf 

Here is a link to the registration form:

https://www.mdlib.org/ev_calendar_day.asp?date=5%2F3%2F21&eventid=115

Library 2.0 Mini-conference March 26, 2020

It's easy and free to join Library 2.0 but plan ahead because it can take a day or two for membership approval.

We are expanding our planned Library 2.0 special broadcast webinar for librarians to a special mini-conference, being held in conjunction with PCI Webinars and Andrew Sanderbeck. Please note the new expanded times. DATE & TIMES: Thursday, March 26th, 2020 | 1:00 - 6:30 pm US-Eastern Time (4 one-hour sessions with 1/2-hour breaks) COST: Free REGISTRATION: To register for the mini-conference, please join Library 2.0. Those who are already members of Library 2.0 do not need to do anything. ATTENDING: The schedule with the live session links will be sent to all members of Library 2.0. PLATFORM: The mini-conference platform is Zoom. To make sure your computer or mobile is configured for Zoom, please visit zoom.us/test. SESSIONS: 1. SELF-CARE DURING A CRISIS: BREATHE, THINK, AND GROW 1:00 PM US-Eastern Daylight Time Click here to see in your own time zone As libraries deal with the global crisis of 2020, staff have many difficult choices to handle every day. From deciding whether to stay open to managing the constant flow of information, the work can be all-consuming. In this webinar, we will talk about how to take time out of your day to focus on yourself and to nourish your own growth. Participants will: Learn methods and exercises for staying in the moment and remaining mindful while dealing with stress and uncertainty Spend time discussing their challenges and how they are working to handle them, while planning mindfully for the future Focus on healthy self-care activities Cari Dubiel Adult Learning and Information Services Manager at Twinsburg Public Library Cari is the Adult Learning and Information Services Manager at Twinsburg Public Library. She is also a writer, teacher, and podcaster. She is a former Library Liaison to Sisters in Crime, an organization of 3600 crime writers and readers nationwide. 2. WHY AND HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR ONLINE SERVICES DURING THE QUARANTINE 2:30 PM US-Eastern Daylight Time Click here to see in your own time zone We are certainly "living in interesting times" ... and working in them too. Even if your building is closed, your library is still offering services—but are you telling people that? While it's tempting to look at these pandemic-related closures as much-needed downtime, librarians don't have that luxury. People still need you. In fact, people who haven't used libraries in years need your boredom-breaking services and your long-trusted guidance, too. So it's vital to keep marketing your libraries now, for three reasons: 1) telling people what's available online and how to get it; 2) being the trusted source of info that people expect; and 3) proving your value to retain funding after the crisis. In this webinar, specially created to help your library be as useful as possible during the current Coronavirus pandemic, library marketing maven Kathy Dempsey will share her best advice on these topics: Working at home (Dempsey has worked at home for 10 years) Turning today's chaos into a Crisis Communications Plan in the near future Exactly what services and products to promote (some might surprise you) How to get the word out, beyond your own social media followers How to approach messaging in trying times Why today's promotion will help secure next year's library funding Why to scratch out mini marketing plans to make your work effective Resources for self-care and for social sharing In a time where everyone is inundated with information, the world still needs their librarians and librarians. The "new normal" will likely have super-tight budgets, so proving how essential you are during this crisis may well determine whether your organization survives the virus. Kathy Dempsey Libraries Are Essential Kathy Dempsey wrote the popular how-to tome The Accidental Library Marketer and founded her own marketing consultancy, Libraries Are Essential. Her work is dedicated to helping librarians and information professionals promote their value and expertise in order to gain respect and funding. Kathy has been the Editor of Marketing Library Services newsletter for 25 years, and was formerly Editor-in-Chief of Computers in Librariesmagazine. She also blogs at The 'M' Word. She's a member of the New Jersey Library Association, and Founder of the Library Marketing and Communications Conference, which she chaired in 2015, 2016, and 2017. This writer, editor, and marketing maven has been giving presentations across the U.S. and Canada for 20+ years, always sprinkling them with humor to make marketing concepts more interesting and accessible. She continues to fight the stereotypes that librarians are boring and that "marketing" is a dirty word. 3. SERVING PATRONS IN A CRISIS 4:00 PM US-Eastern Daylight Time Click here to see in your own time zone Helping people make decisions based on facts and evidence is what libraries of all types do everyday. With libraries closing to the public and reducing services because of COVID-19, how can we continue to provide the facts in this fast-paced changing environment? And how can libraries provide the services that their communities will need to remain vital to the health and welfare of their communities? This interactive and informative webinar will help attendees find the latest resources and information available to help them serve their patrons and communities, as well as looking into how libraries are responding to community needs of today and will focus on the work ahead as we shape the future of library services after the pandemic passes. Andrew Sanderbeck PCI Webinars Andrew has been developing and conducting training programs for libraries and library organizations for more than fifteen years. He has presented Web-based, On-line, and Face-to-Face sessions on Management and Leadership, Customer Service and Communication Skills in the U.S. and numerous countries around the world. He is a board member of the Haywood County Public Library and a monthly donor to EveryLibrary, advocating for libraries everywhere that support is needed. Kathy Zappitello Executive Director of the Conneaut Public Library in Conneaut, Ohio Kathy has worked for fifteen years in Ohio libraries and is currently the Executive Director of the Conneaut Public Library in Conneaut, Ohio. Kathy serves on the National Board of Directors for the Association for Rural and Small Libraries and is co-chair of the Partnership committee. Locally, she produces educational content for one of Ohio's cable access channels that provides programming to households in Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. 4. PREPARING YOUR DIGITAL BRANCH FOR INCREASED USE 5:30 PM US-Eastern Daylight Time Click here to see in your own time zone As libraries engage in social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are placing new emphasis on our online services. Is your organization ready? In this interactive and Informative program, we will discuss how to prepare your digital branch for an influx of users, and examine best practices for virtual reference and digital collections as you work to meet your community's needs. Nick Tanzi Assistant Director of the South Huntington Public Library Nick Tanzi has been incorporating emerging technologies into the library as a children’s librarian, the founding member of a digital services department, and most recently, as the Assistant Director of the South Huntington Public Library. During this time, he has spoken in the U.S. and abroad on topics ranging from social media marketing to 3D printing. He is the author of Making the Most of Digital Collections through Training and Outreach (2016), and Best Technologies for Public Libraries (2020). He writes “The Wired Library” column for Public Libraries Magazine. Tanzi was named a 2017 Dewey Fellow by the New York Library Association, and currently serves as President of its Making and STEAM Round Table.

MLA Conference Dates set for 2020

The MLA/DLA annual conference will be held from May 6-8, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, Maryland.

The theme for this year is "Into the Roaring Twenties" and a full schedule of preconferences, keynote speakers, and breakout programs is scheduled.  

Watch for more information on the conference website https://www.mladlacon.com/

We'll be announcing the application deadlines as soon as the registration information is posted.

ALA Mid-Winter deadline is November 8

November 8 is the deadline for all Pratt staff who wish to request funding to attend the ALA Mid-Winter Conference in Philadelphia.  Please have your signed paperwork to us by that date so that we can meet the early bird deadline.

• Be sure to include your ALA membership number with your request, and your login and password  if you want us to complete your registration.

• If you are also a member of MLA, please include your MLA membership number, as we can get an additional discount for MLA members.

• The forms and instructions are available on the SD&T blog "Forms" page.  Download the forms you need and remember to save copies for yourself.

If you have any questions, please contact us and we'll be happy to walk you through the forms and/or the process.

ALA Annual - Preservation and archiving

There were several meaningful initiatives regarding preservation, assessing digital collections, and personal digital archiving.   But the session I thought was most feasible and scalable for the Pratt library was Preservation Week 101. In light of memory lab offerings that may be part of future endeavors at Pratt, this session provided examples of programs that introduce preservation topics of interest to a public audience. 

Introduction programs included the following topics:

Saving Family Photos 

What to Do with Digital Photos? 

What to Do with Family Recipes?

These programs might consist of a panel of speakers, some artifacts such as the panelist’s family photos or the librarian’s and the why and how of preserving photos. These kinds of programs can attract public interest and help to determine the focus for a memory lab service. They can also be tied to existing genealogy workshops. The programs can be a precursor to memory lab offerings or standalone without a memory lab.

ALCTS at http://www.ala.org/alcts/preservationweek/howto offers excellent resources, webinars and slide presentations to get started.  Initiating these sessions would help to gauge interest and focus areas as part of a survey/assessment before investing in memory lab equipment.

Rose Anne Ullrich

Information Services

ALA Annual - Ready, Set, Bank @ Your Public Library

A standout session I attended at this year’s ALA Annual Conference was “Ready, Set, Bank @ Your Public Library,” led by a Capital One rep and librarians from Queens and Houston. I primarily chose to attend this one because I was interested in how a public library might work with a for-profit business to benefit patrons. This session offered so much more than I was expecting, especially in terms of marketing programs to users. 

The goal of this initiative was to promote mobile banking to older adults (don’t call them seniors!) who may be hesitant to embrace new technology. Many of Pratt’s patrons rely on mobile devices to get online and I think we need to consider this for future programming and instructional opportunities. Don’t assume that older customers don’t use digital technology; often, they just need someone to teach them how to use online tools. Most are happy to embrace it so long as it’s relevant to their lives, such as connecting through social media or looking up health information. When it comes to online banking, they often have security concerns. We can address this by promoting the benefits, such as being able to see real time transactions and maintaining privacy and independence. 

Libraries are an ideal setting to reach these customers and I appreciated that the videos and resources are not brand-specific. The resources only mention “the bank”, not Capital One specifically. The libraries they partnered with were able to benefit from their extensive market research and implement microlearning in short videos the bank created. The program has expanded to include lesson plans in Spanish. These focus less on technology skills and more on the banking system in the U.S. The Capital One representative mentioned that any of their banks could possibly offer trainings at our branches. For more information, head to www.readysetbank.org 

If you weren’t able to make ALA this year, you can read a digital copy of the American Libraries’ wrap-up issue here: https://t.co/rxXIq8eNXT 

Katy Troeschel

Social Science and History Department

ALA Annual - Reflections on Diversity

The 2019 American Library Association Conference offered many opportunities to reflect on diversity, and to find ways to include diverse elements of the US population in everything we do.

Here is a taste of two of the sessions I attended:

“Muslims in Story” – Ms. Sadaf Siddique, coauthor of the book Muslims in Story: Expanding Multicultural Understanding through Children’s and Young Adult Literature, talked about the intent and the content of the book. This book is a collection of resources and curated booklists that will help educators expose their audience to positive images of Muslims.

A powerful way to counter bias is for Muslims (or anybody else who is the victim of prejudice) to tell their own story through actual personal experiences. The book’s purpose is to show commonality. It is not so much about religion. It is about the people and how diverse they are. The books that the authors included in their booklists have a common quality. They are culturally authentic and they depict positive images that will make Muslim children feel proud of being Muslims.

Muslims in Story includes a thematic framework to use throughout the school year. Some of the themes featured in the book are: Historical presence of Muslims in America, Muslim kids and heroes, Fasting traditions among the various Muslims in the world, Similarities between religions, Respect and tolerance between people, Knowledge overcomes everything. Each story comes with complete lesson plans and extra resources.

For more details, read an Interview with Sadaf Siddique and Gauri Manglik

“Ready to Learn: Public Media and Library Partnership for Early Science and Literacy Learning” – The “Ready to Learn (RTL)” initiative’s “goal is to promote early learning and school readiness, with an emphasis on supporting children from low-income, underserved communities.” PBS (Public Broadcast Service) and their librarian partners from one library in Kentucky, and the other one in Tennessee shared their successes and failures in offering the Family Learning Community workshops.  

These workshops are usually divided into 4 weekly sessions, but they can be adjusted to be a standalone program. Each session is composed of 4 parts:

EAT: Participants eat a meal together and get to know each other

EXPLORE: Hands-on explorations and discussions in groups (inter-family connections)

MAKE: Families work together on their own projects

SHARE: Participants share their projects with the other families, and give feedback to each other.

Most programs and resources necessary to set up such workshops are available for free to all educators at PBS Learning Media.  The website is a treasure trove of information!

Sylvie Merlier-Rowen
Children's Department, CEN

ALA Annual - Best Fiction for Young Adults

In attending ALA 2019, I was lucky enough to sit in on a panel discussion of YALSA's best fiction for young adult lists led by students from the DC area. It was a rare treat to actually hear reactions from teens who thoughtfully read and reviewed the list, taking into account literary quality, plot, inclusiveness and #ownvoices. 

This filled in my knowledge gap around what teens and precocious tweens are reading, as well as providing actual feedback in real time around important texts with which to be familiar. Because my teen literature knowledge is limited, this was a condensed opportunity to hear from the actual demographic what they like to read. I can't wait to pick up a copy of A.S. King's Dig!

This was also a networking opportunity, as several members of the local literary committee, Capital Choices team, were there to provide feedback about  programming in the greater Maryland area. 

http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/about/selected-lists-the-hub/best-fiction-young-adults-nominees/

Cornelia Beckett

Programs and Outreach

ALA Annual - Safer Libraries

I want to first start out by saying that ALA 2019 was great and I really enjoyed my first experience. The weather in DC that weekend was perfect for a conference. I got to meet some many different people. The atmosphere was inviting and exciting. I had a full itinerary for each day and for the most part, I was able to attend all the sessions I planned to attend.

The opening session featured young adult author Jason Reynolds who spoke of libraries as sacred spaces where all are welcome and one can build a family and be of service. Reynolds also drew a parallel between religious institutions and libraries. He challenged librarians to reimagine their roles in the lives of their young patrons, and to be willing to consider changing the way they do things to meet that role.

My favorite session was presented by PLA entitled, Safer Libraries: Building Staff Resiliency and Library Safety Branch by Branch. In the session staff from DC Public Library collaborated with Defend Yourself, a local company that works to empower people — especially women and others targeted for abuse and assault — to end violence and create a world where they can be fully themselves. Together, DCPL and Defend Yourself developed a library-specific safety training for staff that teaches self-defense concepts such as avoidance and prevention, assertiveness, direct communication, and boundary setting, de-escalation, and bystander intervention.

I am encouraging all my fellow colleagues to please consider attending a conference like this one. I learned so much and can’t wait for other opportunities to attend.

Ashley T. Mitchell

Edmondson Avenue