The group met 2-3 times 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 committee has been actively involved in shaping upcoming Public Libraries Magazine content and expanding engagement with PLA’s broader initiatives. Recent activities include:
Planning for the 2025 Volume Year Themes: The committee reviewed and discussed proposed themes for each 2025 issue, including topics such as library careers, serving people in crisis, resource sharing, human resources, multigenerational programming, and strategic planning. Ideas for refining these themes and potential contributors were shared to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Feature Article Contest: The committee selected winners for the 2024 feature article contest, reviewing submissions and finalizing the criteria for selection.
Call for Contributors: Efforts to expand contributions to Public Libraries Magazine, Public Libraries Online, and the FYI Podcast have been ongoing. We’ve actively sought participation from underrepresented voices and shared opportunities across peer networks.
Content Review: Members reviewed and provided critical feedback for articles, such as Manifestations of 'Doomscrolling' in the Public Library: Insights from the UK, ensuring high-quality submissions.
Surveys and Engagement: The committee has been advising on survey questions for the upcoming PLA Member Survey.
FYI Podcast Development: We continue to suggest potential podcast guests to highlight innovative library programs, reinforcing the broader goal of showcasing impactful stories.
Career Advice Project: We’ve assisted in sharing and contributing career advice submissions for the "Your Library Career" issue, offering inspiring insights for readers.
Community Outreach: Members have played a key role in circulating contribution opportunities, focusing particularly on amplifying underrepresented voices.
In all of our efforts we work to represent diverse voices and libraries and ensure we are upholding the very best of work that reflects on PLA as an organization.
Do you see opportunities to better align committee work with those goals?
The committee’s work directly supports PLA’s strategic goals by advancing EDISJ (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice), fostering professional growth, and highlighting innovation in public libraries. Through editorial planning and outreach, we’ve worked to ensure diverse voices are featured, aligning our work with PLA’s goal of increasing representation. Additionally, our focus on podcasts and career advice strengthens knowledge sharing, while our input on the member survey will provide further insights to support the broader mission of public library excellence.
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)
n/a
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?
We will be working with the PLA Membership Advisory Group in early 2025 to promote participation from more members. We look forward to the opportunity to speak to a broad audience about ways more members can add their voice to our publications.
Is there anything else about your committee experience you’d like to share?
Submitted by Amy Dissmeyer on 12/23/2024