If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re planning to attend PLA Conference 2020, happening February 25th - 29th in Nashville, Tennessee. If you’re a PLA veteran, we’ll bet you’re buzzing with excitement, counting down the days until you can reconnect with your library friends and colleagues from across North America. If you’ve never been before, you might be wondering: What is all the fuss is about?
If you fall into the latter category, this article is for you. Networking and camaraderie aside, we believe the biennial PLA conference is a great chance to see what other public libraries and library vendors are up to — a chance to draw inspiration, generate new ideas, and benefit from the collective. As John Donne said, “no [librarian] is an island” (or something to that effect).
With that in mind, here are the top 4 things we at BiblioCommons are looking forward to at PLA Conference 2020.
1. Interactive programming
Judging by their website, the sessions at PLA won’t be teaching abstract ideas for the distant future. We’re looking forward to interactive and action-oriented programming: the kind that makes it possible to improve in the here and now. We’re hoping to see practical techniques based on real-world data and the experiences of industry veterans — and it looks like that’s what we’re going to get.
2. The exchange of ideas
Simply by virtue of being a librarian, you already know the value of access to information and exchanging ideas; it is by sharing information that we grow as individuals and as a collective. We see PLA as an embodiment of that idea. Speakers will come from all different backgrounds and fields, bringing ideas you’re not likely to learn on an average day at the library.
Join us in our PLA exhibitor booth for Conversations in the Commons, where leaders from our team will discuss topics ranging from Bib Pages to Email Marketing.
3. Emerging tech
Want to know what the future looks like for libraries? Want to prepare your library for tomorrow? PLA Conference 2020 promises to be a bustling hub for new, innovative ideas in library tech. With expert talks and almost 300 vendors offering unique insights and opportunities, there’s a great chance you’ll gain a fresh new perspective, or learn how to solve your most headache-inducing challenges.
4. Exhibits
The opportunities to learn at PLA don’t end with the scheduled conference sessions. Librarians also have the chance to speak directly with hundreds of exhibiting software vendors at once, saving time and money. We at BiblioCommons are most excited about the opportunity to connect with libraries from across North America and demonstrate how our product suite can transform their online library experience. Click here for a full list of PLA 2020 vendors, and don’t forget to drop by our booth, #623 for a live demo!
Looking for a new catalog discovery layer, website, mobile app, event calendar, or email marketing tool? Send us a message or schedule a meeting with us at PLA!
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