Frequently Asked Questions
Public Library Association
What is PLA?
How do I contact PLA staff or members?
Who can join PLA? What does it cost? And what are my benefits?
How can I become a public librarian??
Where do I find listings for jobs in public libraries?
What are some of PLA’s publications and continuing
education opportunities?
When and where is the next PLA National Conference?
How do I exhibit at a PLA National Conference?
I have an idea for a program at a PLA event. Who do I
contact?
Can I contribute financially to PLA?
Does PLA have an awards program for members?
What is PLA’s governing structure?
I am a new PLA member. How do I get on a committee? How
do committees work?
I have written a book. How can I market it to public libraries?
I have some books I no longer want. How can I donate
them to public libraries?
How many public libraries are there in the United States?
Who uses the public library?
What is PLA?
The Public Library Association (PLA), with more than 9,500 members, is one of the fastest growing divisions of the American Library Association (ALA), the oldest and largest library association in the world. PLA’s purpose is to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and services.
Based in Chicago, at the ALA Headquarters, PLA was founded in 1944. PLA is a member-driven organization that provides a diverse program of publication, advocacy, continuing education, and programming for its members and others interested in the advancement of public library service.
PLA’s priority concerns are:
- Adequate funding for public libraries.
- Improved management of public libraries.
- Recognition of the importance of all library staff members in providing quality public service.
- Recruitment, education, training, and compensation of public librarians.
- Intellectual freedom.
- Improved access to library resources.
- Effective communication with the nonlibrary world.
How do I contact PLA staff or members?
Public Library Association
50 E. Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 1-800-545-2433, ext. 5PLA
Fax: 312-280-5029
E-mail: pla@ala.org
Who can join PLA? What does it cost? And what are my benefits?
Librarians, library workers, library trustees, libraries, library vendors,
anyone who supports libraries may join. Dues vary according by type of
membership. PLA members must
also join parent organization ALA. Membership forms are also included
in the ALA Handbook of Organization; ALA’s Fax on Demand, 1-800-545-2433,
press 4, or from Membership Customer Services, 1-800-545-2433, press 5.
PLA members receive the periodical publication Public
Libraries, preferred rates on PLA
continuing education events, and on PLA
publications. PLA membership also includes ALA member benefits such
as the monthly American Libraries magazine, discounts on ALA conference
fees and ALA books and products. Only personal members of PLA have the
right to vote in PLA elections, serve on PLA committees, and hold PLA
office.
How can I become a public librarian?
A master’s degree in library science (MLS) is necessary for librarian positions in most public libraries. Employers often prefer graduates of the library and information studies programs accredited by the American Library Association (ALA).
The ALA offers scholarships for continuing library education, including Spectrum Scholarships for African American, Latino/Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander and Native American/Alaskan Native students in graduate programs in library and information studies and Century Scholarships for graduate students with disabilities.
For more information about careers in public librarianship, please visit these sites:
- http://www.becomealibrarian.com
- http://stats.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2000/winter/contents.htm (“Librarians: Information Experts in the Information Age,” Occupational Outlook Quarterly Online 44, no. 4 [winter 2000]).
Where do I find listings for jobs in public libraries?
For listings of jobs check:
Also, check with your state library association for jobs in your area.
What are some of PLA’s publications and continuing education opportunities?
Publications
PLA’s publishing program provides top quality books and monographs on a wide range of public library concerns and issues. Notable publications include:
- A Planning Process for Public Libraries (ALA, 1980)
- Planning and Role Setting for Public Libraries (ALA, 1987)
- Output Measures for Public Libraries (ALA, 1982, 1987)
- Public Library Data Service Statistical Report (PLA, published annually 1987–present)
- Planning for Results - A Public Library Transformation Process (ALA, 1998)
- 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)
PLA Online
PLA’s web page offers instant information about PLA membership, products, and activities. "Tech Notes," a series of mini-publications dealing with technology, are posted at this web address.
Continuing Education
Conferences and programs include:
- PLA National Conferences
Every other year, over 7,000 public librarians, exhibitors, educators and others interested in public libraries come together at the largest national conference devoted exclusively to public librarianship. PLA National Conferences offer more than 100 top-quality continuing education programs and special events include preconferences, author programs, and more than 600 exhibitors. Upcoming PLA National Conferences include:
PLA 2004 - PLA’s 10th National Conference - February 24-28, 2004 - Seattle, Washington
PLA 2006 - PLA’s 11th National Conference - March 20-25, 2006 - Boston, Massachusetts
PLA 2008 - PLA's 12th National Conference - March 25 - 29, 2008 - Minneapolis, MN
- PLA Spring Symposium
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. The next Spring Symposium will be held in Chicago on March 6 - 8, 2003. - PLA Programs at ALA Annual Conferences
PLA offers several programs and preconference 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.
When and where is the next PLA National Conference?
PLA 2004—PLA’s 10th National Conference—February 24–28,
2004—Seattle, Washington
PLA 2006—PLA’s 11th National Conference—March 20–25, 2006—Boston,
Massachusetts
PLA 2008 - PLA's 12th National Conference - March 25 - 29, 2008 - Minneapolis,
Minnesota
How do I exhibit at a PLA National Conference?
Contact PLA’s Exhibit Managers at Corcoran Expo, 100 E. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603; phone: 312-541-0567; fax: 312-541-0573; email: info@corcexpo.com
I have an idea for a program at a PLA event. Who do I contact?
Contact Linda Bostrom, PLA’s Education Director, at 800-545-2433, ext. 5027, or at lbostrom@ala.org.
Can I contribute financially to PLA?
Yes. There are many opportunities to support PLA and libraries through contributions and donations to the PLA Partners Programs.
Does PLA have an awards program for members?
Yes. PLA confers many different types of awards each year.
What is PLA’s governing structure?
PLA is governed by a 24-member Board of Directors. PLA members elect these voting members of the Board: the PLA president; the PLA vice-president; the PLA past president; the six member Cluster Steering Committees (Issues and Concerns, Library Development, Library Services), and the PLA Councilor. The PLA Executive Director is an ex-officio and non-voting member of the PLA Board. For more information about PLA’s organizational structure, see the PLA Guide.
I am a new PLA member. How do I get on a committee? How do committees work?
Thanks for joining! The PLA Web page at www.pla.org is a great resource for you, as are other seasoned PLA members. And don’t hesitate to contact PLA staff if you have a question or concern. Check the “how to get things done at PLA” section.
I have written a book. How can I market it to public libraries?
Individual libraries are responsible for their own collections. There is no one place that distributes books to all libraries. However, some main libraries purchase books for their branches as well as themselves; and some libraries purchase their books through such distributors as Baker & Taylor, Ingram Book Services, Blackwell’s Book Services, and other book suppliers and wholesalers.
For more information on telling libraries about your own book and its availability to them, please review the information in the ALA library’s fact sheets, as follows:
Fact Sheet 5, Marketing to Libraries—Lists strategies for informing the library community about your product or service (especially books).
Fact Sheet 3, Lists of Libraries—Lists companies which sell mailing lists and mailing labels of libraries.
Fact Sheet 9, Library Products and Services—Lists online and print resources which compile names of library vendors (including book distributors) if you wish to contact book distributors directly to see if they would be interested in providing your book to libraries.
I have some books I no longer want. How can I donate them to public libraries?
Neither PLA nor ALA coordinate programs for book donations. For general information, please see the library fact sheet, Sending Books to Needy Libraries.
For information about possible value of older materials, the Rare Books and Manuacripts Section of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association, has prepared a detailed brochure,
How many public libraries are there in the United States?
There are 8,981 public libraries (administrative entities) and a total of 15,994 buildings (including branches) in the United States. (Source: American Library Association Public Information Office, 1998.)
Who uses the public library?
Americans visited their public library an average of seven times in 1998 and 64% of Americans visited a public library at least once in the last year—up from 51% in 1978. One in 10 visit the library more than 25 times a year. (Source: American Library Association Public Information Office, 1998.)