Registration for PLA 2010, the 13th National Conference of the Public Library Association (PLA), is now open. To register and request housing for PLA 2010, or to download registration and housing forms, visit www.placonference.org. A special early bird rate is available for PLA members and members of the Oregon Library Association who register by Dec. 16, 2009. All other advance registrations must be received by Feb. 19, 2010.
PLA 2010 promises to be our most exciting conference yet, with an array of today’s best authors keynoting author events and luncheons. Pulitzer-Prize winning author Nick Kristof will kick off the conference by headlining the Opening General Session. Kristof is well known for his tireless crusade on behalf of women’s issues in the developing world, and his latest book Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide has already established itself on the bestseller lists. Scott Turow, author of some of the most morally engaging legal thrillers of the past two decades, and Luis Urrea, whose much-admired work recently garnered him a spot in the Latino Literature Hall of Fame, will headline our author luncheons. Acclaimed Young Adult Author Virginia Euwer Wolff and one of today’s most stirring children’s book authors and illustrators, Kadir Nelson, will speak at the conference’s Young Adult author luncheons. Popular essayist and NPR Contributing Editor Sarah Vowell will close out the conference with what is sure to be an entertaining and informative talk at the Closing Session. Other authors scheduled to appear include Nancy Pearl, Chelsea Cain, Sue Grafton, and Marcia Muller.
Offered biennially, the PLA National Conference is the premier event for public libraries, drawing librarians, library support staff, trustees, friends and library vendors from across the country and around the world. The conference includes more than 150 top-quality continuing education programs, preconferences, talk tables, social events, author events, networking opportunities and a bustling exhibits hall. PLA 2010 will be held March 23-27, 2010 in Portland, Ore.
For more information about PLA 2010, visit the National Conference Web site at www.placonference.org. For more information about other PLA events and programs, contact the PLA office at pla@ala.org or (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or visit PLA’s Web site at www.pla.org.
PLA is a division of the American Library Association.