Library science is an enormous field, home to every interest you could imagine! This means that there are many organizations out there for you to join, in order to connect with other people who share your professional interests.

So even if you work alone in your library, there are other people out there doing work similar to yours! Each week we will highlight a different library association for you to learn more about, and depending on your work, potentially join! You can also check out our page dedicated to Library Associations.

 

This week we’ll take a look at the Pacific Northwest Library Association (PNLA). This association has over 200 members from the areas of Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, and Washington. They are the “oldest regional library association in the United States and the only binational association in North America.”

“PNLA promotes increased communication, joint advocacy, open debate, networking and support and Information sharing through its many special projects and initiatives including:

Annual Conference
Leads! Leadership Institute 
Quarterly
Job Board
Young Readers Choice Award

PNLA provides a unique regional and multinational perspective to the issues that interest all library staff: intellectual freedom, literacy, continuing education, and library leadership.”

Their annual conference this year is in Kalispell, MT in August with the theme of “Breaking the Fourth Wall.” You can stay current with the organization’s news by reading their PNLA Quarterly  issues. Check out the 2018 Nominees for the Young Readers Choice Award.  If you are looking for a library job in the area, make sure to peruse their Job Board.

Interested in becoming a PNLA member? Get all the information on their membership page!