Public Library Association Conference 2026
Minneapolis, MN
I attended the PLA 2026 Conference in Minneapolis in April thanks to the support of CLRC and a Professional Development Grant. This was my first national library conference, and it lived up to all my expectations. The seven sessions I attended were very well presented and provided so much information and inspiration! I was especially intrigued by the ideas shared in “AI Book Clubs and Digital Literacy for Older Adults,” “Not Your Typical Makerspace: Creating STEAM-Based Summer Programs for Youth,” “Aging Together: Library Programming for Older Adults,” “Wake Up! It’s 1984,” and “Memory Cafés in Libraries: Creating Meaningful Connections.” I have been trying to add more programs to Maxwell to better serve our older patrons, and seeing what has been–and what has not been–successful for other libraries around the country was very useful. I would love to host a Memory Cafe here, and to add programs to teach adults how to use AI carefully, responsibly, and ethically. I also attended the luncheon with authors Ann Patchett and Kate DiCamillo. Hearing these two wonderful writers share stories, experiences, and thoughts on literacy was an opportunity I’ll never forget. Receiving the Professional Development Grant provided the extra financial support our library needed for me to accompany our director to the conference. With two of us there, we were able to divide up the sessions that were of most value to Maxwell. Thank you again!
Rena Brower, Library Assistant/Adult Services Coordinator
Maxwell Memorial Library
Are you interested in being our next Professional Development Award recipient? Check out the award page for the rules & requirements!
