Imagine the Possibilities

Recommended for Small & Rural Library Staff

All times are Eastern. Schedule is subject to change.

Tuesday, March 20

9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Dynamic Planning Institute
This full day preconference requires a separate registration.

Thursday, March 22

10:45 AM–11:45 AM

Talking is Teaching: Opportunities for Increasing Early Brain and Language Development

Community as Collaborator

Public Libraries 101: Fundamentals for Support Staff

2:00 PM–3:00 PM

Training is Fundamental

(Re)Building Latina/o Outreach: Steps to Engaging Your Community

4:00 PM–5:00 PM

Library Fandom: Collaborative Collections, Programs, and Spaces

Top 5 of 5: A Current Affair

No Secrets: Preparing the Organization for Your Retirement

Friday, March 23

10:45 AM–11:45 AM

Take Summer Reading to the Streets: Partnering to Reach Children with Barriers to Library Access

Guerrilla Branding: 10 Ways To Make a Big Splash with a Tiny Budget

2:00 PM–3:00 PM

The Opioid Epidemic: How Can My Library Help?

Innovative Approaches to Circulating WiFi Hotspots

4:00 PM–5:00 PM

The Information Needs of Citizens: Where Libraries Fit In

It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye: Strategies and Best Practices for Sunsetting Legacy Programs

The ABCs of DNA: Helping Patrons Unravel the Mystery of Genetic Information

Great Expectations: Customer Service and the Future of Libraries

Saturday, March 24

9:30 AM–10:30 AM

How to Adult: Teaching Life Skills to Teens

Sharing the Wealth: A 50/50 Renovation Project using Taxpayer Dollars and Private Fundraising

10:45 AM–11:45 AM

How One Small Library Strives to Be the Community’s University

Growing a Regional Studies Center

Ditching Dewey: How to Make Searching Your Collection Engaging, Not Enraging

For questions about…

Cancellation Policy

The PLA 2018 Conference is offered on a cost-recovery basis. PLA reserves the right to cancel all or any part of this event if there is insufficient registration or for other reasons. Neither ALA nor PLA is responsible for cancellation charges assessed by the airlines or travel agencies, or other losses incurred due to the cancellation of the workshops. All information listed on this website is subject to change.

Attendee Cancellation Policy

Written cancellations, requests for refunds, and/or changes will be accepted until February 23, 2018, and are subject to a $30 handling fee. Refunds will be processed after April 23, 2018. According to PLA policy, all meal events require preregistration. The above cancellation/change information also applies to all preconferences, meal events, and tours. No meal tickets will be sold onsite.

Exhibitor Cancellation Policy

All booth space cancellation requests must be received in writing by Show Management (Corcoran Expositions). If space is reduced, the net reduction of space will be treated as a cancellation of that space. If Show Management receives a written request for cancellation of space on or before October 31, 2017, the exhibitor will be eligible for a refund less the nonrefundable deposit of $950 per 100 square feet of exhibit space. For cancellations received after October 31, 2017, exhibitors are liable for 100% of the cost of space.

Advertising

Print and electronic advertising opportunities are available to reach PLA members and attendees both before and during the conference.

Exhibits

Interested in exhibiting at PLA 2018? Contact Carly DiVito, Corcoran Expositions, at 312-541-0567 or carly@corcexpo.com.

Media

Contact Macey Morales, Deputy Director, ALA Public Awareness Office, 312-280-4393 or mmorales@ala.org. Please review our conference media policy.

Membership

ALA and PLA membership is managed by the ALA Membership & Customer Service (MACS) unit. You can join or renew/rejoin/add to your membership using ALA’s secure online form; or you can print and fill out a membership form and fax or mail it in; or call 800-545-2433 and press 5. Direct your membership questions to MACS at customerservice@ala.org or 800-545-2433 and press 5. MACS representatives are available Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Central.

Registration & Housing

Problems or questions regarding registration or housing? Contact Experient at pla@experient-inc.com or 800-424-5249 (U.S. and Canada)/847-996-5829 (all other countries). Experient representatives are available Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM Eastern.

Sponsorships

To discuss PLA 2018 sponsorship opportunities, contact Corcoran Expositions, Mary Michalik at 312-265-9650, mary@corcexpo.com; or Matt McLaughlin at 312-265-9655, matt@corcexpo.com.

Thank You PLA 2018 Conference Sponsors!

Other Questions

Many commonly asked questions are answered in our FAQ. If you don’t find the information you’re looking for, please contact PLA at 800-545-2433 x5PLA (x5752) or pla@ala.org. Or the PLA Staff directory may help you find just the right person to ask.


PLA 2016 Archive

Looking for handouts and other information from the PLA 2016 Conference, which took place April 5–9, 2016 in Denver, CO? The PLA 2016 Conference website has been archived at http://2016.placonference.org.

View the list of past PLA Conferences from 1983 to present.