Imagine the Possibilities

PLA Pavilion

Pennsylvania Convention Center, Exhibit Hall AB

Located in the Exhibits Hall, the PLA Pavilion—which includes the PLA Stage and the PLA booth—will also feature a lounge area where attendees can relax and charge their devices, interact with one another in an informal setting, and chat with PLA staff if they have questions during the conference.

PLA Stage

An expanded PLA 2018 How-To Festival of 20-minute hands-on sessions, as well as Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) mini-sessions, will share the PLA Stage.

PLA Booth

Visit the PLA booth to learn about PLA membership, initiatives, and opportunities to get involved. A series of casual discussions related to current PLA/ALA initiatives will be held at the booth.

PLA Pavilion Schedule of Events

All times are Eastern. Schedule is subject to change.

Wednesday, March 21

Time PLA Stage PLA Booth
3:40 PM–4:00 PM HOW TO Create an Escape Room
4:10 PM–4:30 PM ECRR Through Play
4:30 PM–4:50 PM PLA Membership / Getting Involved
Bringing public library people together
4:40 PM–5:00 PM HOW TO Home Roast Coffee
5:10 PM–5:30 PM ECRR Taking Early Literacy Messages to WIC Centers
5:40 PM–6:00 PM HOW TO Make Slime, Stress Balls, and Other Sensory DIYs Family Engagement
Promoting family activity in children’s learning and development
6:10 PM–6:30 PM Opioid Epidemic and Public Libraries
Learn about efforts and partnerships addressing the issue

Thursday, March 22

Time PLA Stage PLA Booth
10:00 AM–10:20 AM ECRR Through Play
10:30 AM–10:50 AM HOW TO Create Alcohol Ink Tiles Inclusive Internships
Introducing students from diverse backgrounds to careers in librarianship
11:00 AM–11:20 AM ECRR Every Librarian Ready to Mentor – ECRR in a Media Heavy World
11:30 AM–11:50 AM HOW TO DIY Dog Toys International Innovative Programs
Learn about innovative programs from public libraries in Africa and the Middle East
12:00 PM–12:20 PM ECRR Using Nursery Rhyme Activities to Encourage Talking, Singing, Reading, Writing, and Playing in Storytimes
12:30 PM–12:50 PM HOW TO Develop a Low Cost MAKEngineering Kit Short Story Dispenser Project
Encouraging an interest in literacy and literature through innovative access to stories
1:00 PM–1:20 PM HOW TO Reverse an Opioid Overdose with Naloxone (Narcan)
1:30 PM–1:50 PM HOW TO Run a Take-Apart Workshop for Kids
2:00 PM–2:20 PM ECRR New Books Recommended for ECRR’s Five Practices
2:30 PM–2:50 PM HOW TO Fix a Bicycle Tire Flat #GiveALA: Strengthening Libraries Across the Country
Meet the ALA development staff, and learn about ways to support ALA!
3:00 PM–3:20 PM ECRR Taking Early Literacy Messages to WIC Centers NEW TIME – Federal Funding for Libraries
Taking action to maintain federal support for public libraries
3:30 PM–3:50 PM HOW TO Recommend a Book You Haven’t Read CANCELLED – Libraries Transform
Because transformation is essential to the communities we serve
4:00 PM–4:20 PM HOW TO Spark Community-wide Collaboration on Homelessness Issues
4:30 PM–4:50 PM ECRR Storytime Challenge: Encouraging Adult Engagement Measuring Library Value
Brainstorm with PLA staff and discover resources on how you can measure your library’s value!

Friday, March 23

Time PLA Stage PLA Booth
9:30 AM–9:50 AM HOW TO How To Enroll in Public Service Loan Forgiveness
10:00 AM–10:20 AM ECRR Storytime Challenge: Encouraging Adult Engagement
10:30 AM–10:50 AM HOW TO Host a Teen LBGTQ Club Using DigitalLearn in Your Library
Increase digital literacy in your community with DigitalLearn
11:00 AM–11:20 AM ECRR New Books Recommended for ECRR’s Five Practices
11:30 AM–11:50 AM HOW TO Hoop Dance Teaching Computers? We Have Help!
Extensive suite of computer and technology training resources available!
12:00 PM–12:20 PM ECRR Every Librarian Ready to Mentor – ECRR in a Media Heavy World
12:30 PM–12:50 PM HOW TO Tie a Tie U.S. Census
Public libraries and the 2020 census
1:00 PM–1:20 PM ECRR Using Nursery Rhyme Activities to Encourage Talking, Singing, Reading, and Playing in Storytimes
1:30 PM–1:50 PM HOW TO Supercharge your Staff Training in Four Easy Steps

Be sure to stop by the PLA Pavilion during the conference—we look forward to seeing you there!

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.