The Public Library Association (PLA) Conference brought together public library professionals to explore how library services, technology, and community expectations continue to evolve. Based on the sessions we attended, and the conversations we had, this year’s conference centered on a clear focus: simplifying the digital experience while maintaining the trust, accessibility, and community connection that define public libraries.
Across conversations, a consistent focus emerged around reducing fragmentation in the digital experience. As outlined in our recent news article, today’s digital public library experience often requires patrons to navigate multiple platforms, manage separate logins, and move between disconnected tools to complete simple tasks like searching, borrowing, or registering for events. This creates unnecessary friction and can lead to disengagement. The direction discussed at PLA closely reflects what we are seeing across the industry: a need to bring discovery, account management, events, and content into a more unified experience that is easier for patrons to navigate.
At PLA 2026, we shared how recent enhancements to BiblioApps are designed to extend the One-Click Experience into mobile and address the challenge of disconnected patron touchpoints. Patrons increasingly engage with the library during everyday moments on their phones, whether they are searching for their next read, managing their account, or registering for a program. BiblioApps is designed as a connected extension of the full BiblioCommons platform, using the same discovery engine, patron identity, and data layer. This allows libraries to manage a single system while providing patrons with a consistent experience across web and mobile.
Each of these enhancements reflects the same goal outlined in the news articles: reducing friction and making it easier for patrons to access everything the library offers from a single, connected experience.
The redesigned BiblioApps search experience brings search, browse, and discovery together in one place, making it easier for patrons to find known titles or explore curated genres, formats, and collections while giving libraries more control over what they feature.
In addition to conversations on mobile and digital experience, we hosted a lunch with library directors from across North America to discuss one of the most pressing emerging topics in the sector: how libraries can approach AI in ways that strengthen, rather than compromise, public trust. The session opened with remarks from David Leonard, President of the Boston Public Library, who helped frame the conversation by reflecting on the responsibility libraries have to approach AI in ways that remain aligned with their public mission and community trust.
Yasmary Mora, Product Director, and Marty Tarle, General Manager, led the lunch at PLA 2026, sharing early learnings from BiblioCommons’ AI exploration and facilitating thoughtful discussions on how libraries can approach AI in ways that uphold trust, privacy, and public library values.
The discussion built on insights from our recent exploration of AI in partnership with four public libraries, where we examined how large language model applications could support patron discovery and engagement while remaining grounded in library values. As outlined in our recent news release, AI for Libraries, Grounded in Trust: What We’ve Learned and What’s Next, we shared learnings from early proof-of-concept work across conversational question-and-answer tools, AI-assisted discovery, and AI-generated summaries of patron comments. A key takeaway from the discussion was that the strongest opportunities for AI in libraries come from focused, practical use cases paired with trusted data, librarian expertise, and thoughtful guardrails. The conversation reinforced that while AI has meaningful potential to reduce friction and improve discovery, libraries will differentiate by how responsibly they implement it.
For those interested in exploring this topic further, we will be sharing our findings in an upcoming webinar:
AI in Public Libraries: What We’ve Learned and What’s Next
Thursday, May 14 at 3 PM EDT
Register for the Webinar
The themes that consistently emerged as priorities during the conference were:
Connection and community remain central - Libraries continue to prioritize their role in supporting connection, belonging, and access within their communities, which was a recurring theme in both sessions and peer discussions.
At Booth 623, we had the opportunity to speak directly with library staff, leaders, and partners throughout the conference.
Many of these conversations focused on practical challenges:
These discussions reinforced what was shared in sessions: libraries are looking for ways to simplify both the staff and patron experience, while maintaining the flexibility to serve their communities effectively.
Library staff stopped by Booth 623 throughout PLA 2026 to connect with the BiblioCommons team, swap ideas, ask questions, and talk through the challenges and opportunities shaping today’s public library experience.
One of the highlights of PLA 2026 was hosting a rooftop reception for public library staff and leaders to unwind, reconnect, and spend time together outside the conference bustle. With skyline views, great food, drinks, and a room full of thoughtful conversations, the evening created space for something the conference schedule rarely allows enough of: unstructured time to connect with peers, share ideas, swap stories, and simply enjoy being in community with others who care deeply about the future of libraries. The energy in the room was a reminder that some of the most meaningful moments at conferences happen after the sessions end. To everyone who joined us, thank you for making it such a memorable evening. For those who missed it, we hope to see you at the next one.
Public library staff and leaders gathered at the BiblioCommons rooftop reception during PLA 2026, where skyline views, shared meals, and meaningful conversation created space for connection beyond the conference floor.
PLA 2026 provided a valuable opportunity to connect with library professionals and better understand how priorities are evolving across the field. We are already looking ahead to continuing these conversations at the next conference:
PLA 2028 Conference
March 13–15, 2028
San Francisco, CA
The Public Library Association (PLA) Conference is a biennial event where public library professionals gather to attend sessions, share knowledge, and explore solutions related to library services and technology. PLA is a division of the American Library Association (ALA).
Based on the sessions attended and conversations on the exhibit floor, key topics included simplifying the digital experience, improving mobile access, supporting staff capacity, maintaining trust, and making data more actionable.
The BiblioCommons One-Click Experience is a platform approach that reduces friction by enabling patrons to discover, access, and engage with the library through a single, connected system.
A connected experience reduces the need for multiple systems and logins, making it easier for patrons to access services and for staff to manage content and workflows efficiently.
Recent updates include push notifications, improved discovery through search and browsing, a redesigned home screen, mobile wallet integration, and upcoming eReading and eListening capabilities. Speak to a BiblioCommons team member to see all the features in action.
You can read more here:
Connect with a BiblioCommons team member to request a BiblioApps demo.
Public libraries operate with a high degree of public trust, so many are evaluating AI carefully to ensure new tools align with expectations around privacy, transparency, equity, and accountability. As libraries explore AI, the focus is not just on what the technology can do, but on how it can be implemented responsibly in ways that support patrons without compromising library values.
BiblioCommons is exploring AI through the lens of library trust, privacy, and transparency. In partnership with public libraries, we have tested AI applications including conversational question-and-answer tools, AI-assisted discovery, and AI-generated summaries of patron comments to better understand where AI can deliver meaningful patron value while aligning with library values.
You can learn more here: