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What Gen Z Wants from Libraries: Takeaways from PLA 2026

What draws Gen Z to libraries and what keeps them away? Insights from PLA 2026 highlight key trends, challenges, and opportunities for engagement.

Graphic celebrating National Arab American Heritage Month in April, with a mosaic of red and blue geometric patterns on the left and large, bold text on the right reading “National Arab American Heritage Month – April.”

April Is National Arab American Heritage Month

Nelson Dellis Author Photo

Genius Is Not Reserved For An Elite Few – Nelson Dellis On His Fascinating New Book

Katie Bernet Author Photo

Katie Bernet On Her Twisty Reimagining Of Little Women

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Making Space After School: How Lansing (IL) Public Library Serves Tweens and Teens

Blue gradient slide reading “PLA 2026 Conference” and “Local Spotlight,” with the message “We can’t wait to see you in Minneapolis!” Dates listed as April 1–3, 2026, and a link at the bottom to placonference.org.

PLA 2026 Local Spotlight | DreamHaven Books

A Message from the Public Library Association Board Regarding Federal Immigration Enforcement in Minneapolis and the PLA 2026 Conference

Cover of Public Libraries magazine, January/February 2026, themed “Civic Literacy.” The background is dark blue with colorful speech bubbles and abstract chat icons in red, white, light blue, and purple, suggesting conversation and communication. The title “Public Libraries” appears at the top in white.

January/February 2026 Issue of Public Libraries Now Available

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Fátima Vélez On The Origins Of Her Transportive New Novel

illustration of four people reading

Creating Space for Parents: A Family-Centered Book Club at the Library

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Early Bird Registration Extended Through January 26 for PLA 2026

Exterior of a modern library building with a curved glass facade and an orange brick wall featuring large vertical lettering that reads “Library.” Several people are walking or sitting outside near the entrance on a sunny day.

Major National Study Examines the Condition of Public Library Buildings

Blue gradient slide reading “PLA 2026 Conference” and “Local Spotlight,” with the message “We can’t wait to see you in Minneapolis!” Dates listed as April 1–3, 2026, and a link at the bottom to placonference.org.

PLA 2026 Local Spotlight | Tropes & Trifles

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Making Library Leadership Visible – A Conversation with PLA President Dr. Brandy McNeil

Author photo of Jessica Gross

Jessica Gross On The Fascinatingly Bizarre World Of Her New Novel

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Learning at Every Pace: Explore PLA 2026 Program Formats

PLA logo on a blue background - half circle of dots around the words PLA 2026 Conference in black

A Look at PLA 2026: Deadlines, New Opportunities, and What’s Ahead in Minneapolis

“January 2026 Early Literacy Calendar from the Public Library Association. The page shows a month-long grid of daily early-literacy activities for families, organized by categories such as Singing, Counting, Reading, Writing, Playing, and Talking. Each date includes a simple activity—for example, singing a nursery rhyme, counting household objects, retelling a favorite book, going on a scavenger hunt, or drawing together. The design features winter-themed illustrations such as mountains, snow, and friendly animal characters throughout. The calendar is colorful and structured with pastel sections for each week.

The 2026 Early Literacy Calendar Is Here!

Gold letters spelling out LIBRARY on a red brick wall

Refresh Your Library on a Budget

Cover of Public Libraries magazine, November/December 2025 issue. The background is a gradient light blue. Centered on the page is a cluster of flat, modern line-art illustrations related to data and strategic planning—charts, graphs, gears, arrows, a globe, a map pin, a pie chart, a bar graph, and a document with a bar code. At the top, the masthead reads “Public Libraries” in blue and gold, with the subtitle “A Publication of the Public Library Association,” and a banner above that states “The Strategic Planning Issue.”

The November/December Issue of Public Libraries Is Now Available: A Deep Dive into Strategic Planning

Court Permanently Blocks Trump’s Executive Order to Dismantle Federal Agency for America’s Libraries

New Podcast Episode! Navigating Difficult Situations in Public Libraries with Dr. Margaret Ann Paauw

Cover of a report titled “Expanding Possibilities: Public Libraries and Adult Learning.” The subtitle reads “Insights and Innovations from the Field.” The cover features the Public Library Association logo and the Gale logo. Below the title, a diverse group of five adults sit together at a table, smiling and talking in a bright, modern workspace. The background and design use shades of blue and purple, with the footer text noting “Chicago | 2025.”

Expanding Possibilities: Public Libraries and Adult Learning White Paper

Illustration of a laser cutting machine in action. A teal-colored laser nozzle is positioned above a rectangular work surface, directing a beam that cuts a line into the light green material below. The image represents fabrication or makerspace technology such as a laser cutter.

Laser Cutter Safety in Library Makerspaces

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Books Unbanned: From Local Action to National Movement

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Publiclibrariesonline.org is the companion website to the bi-monthly print publication “Public Libraries,” the official magazine of the Public Library Association. Learn more »