The group met 1 time this reporting period.
After reviewing the current PLA Strategic Plan, please tell us:
Describe the current work of this committee and how it supports our strategic goals. Include work accomplished, decisions made, and any recommended follow-up actions.
The Continuing Education Advisory Group supports PLA’s Professional Growth strategic goal by helping shape continuing education that’s inclusive, relevant, and easy for library workers to access. By reviewing current offerings and identifying emerging training needs, the group helps PLA expand opportunities for professional development and leadership.
As part of our service on the Continuing Education Advisory Group, the committee completed full reviews of 16 webinar proposals submitted to PLA in October. Using the Webinar Proposal Scorecard, we evaluated each proposal across three required categories—Proposal Description, Innovation, and Relevance/Significance—and provided comments as needed. Final scores from the advisory group members helped to determine the highest-rated proposals and help inform PLA’s recommended webinar offerings.
Do you see opportunities to better align committee work with those goals?
This recommendation isn’t tied to a specific strategic goal, but I think it would be really helpful for the committee to identify and highlight trainings that are free or scholarship-based to improve access. In conversations with colleagues, I’ve heard a lot of interest in PLA offerings—but as library budgets continue to tighten, many library workers simply can’t afford to explore the full range of PLA learning opportunities. If we’re committed to equity and inclusion, that should include supporting those with limited financial means as well.
What recommendations do you have for in-coming committee members? Are there particular streams of
work in progress to be carried over into the new committee year? (January–June reporting period only)
Communication is always an area where we can keep improving, and from what I’ve seen, this kind of committee work is getting harder to sustain—both in terms of support and interest. It’s not unique to library associations; it reflects broader shifts in how people engage and commit their time. My recommendation would be to keep committee work minimal, but make sure it stays meaningful and high-impact.
What specific activities will this committee undertake over the next six months to support that alignment? (July–December reporting period only)
Are there other PLA or ALA committees whose partnership and collaboration would accelerate meeting PLA strategic goals?
I think it would be worthwhile to consider forming a sustainability committee as a natural next step in PLA’s work—one that could thoughtfully incorporate the Committee on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice. Sustainability is a vitally important and rapidly growing focus for libraries, and it connects closely to EDISJ work in meaningful ways, including environmental justice, community resilience, and equitable access to resources. A combined or aligned committee structure could help PLA approach sustainability in a more intentional, values-driven way while continuing to elevate equity and inclusion as central to this work.
Is there anything else about your committee experience you’d like to share?
Submitted by Alicia M Mangin on 01/18/2026