ABSTRACT
From its beginning in 1944 with only 1295 members, the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has grown to nearly 12,000 members today with the stated purpose “to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve.” This mission positions PLA to: focus its efforts on serving the needs of its members; advocate for public libraries; and commit to quality public library services that benefit the general public. Based in Chicago and housed within ALA headquarters, PLA is a member-driven organization that exists to provide a diverse program of communication, publication, advocacy, continuing education, and programming for its members and others interested in the advancement of public library service.
