Hallie Rich

Despite recent traumatic events in Minneapolis and people's ongoing fears, the mood at the 2026 PLA conference was, overall, positive. Speakers, sessions, and conversations consistently centered the belief that change is both necessary and possible, that library values still take precedence, and that hope is an effective muscle.

Will libraries pay the price for property tax reform?

Despite concerns, librarians will assemble for the Public Library Association Conference in Minneapolis; LJ talks to the PLA presidential candidates.

Librarians respond to pressure with presence.

Over the past year, I’ve found myself replacing my favorite conversation starter—what are you reading?—with a new question: How are you using AI?

LJ recently convened a roundtable of experts to weigh in on the latest developments in a topic that is central to the library profession: copyright. 

This year marks Library Journal’s 150th anniversary. How many media companies can say they have been actively publishing for a century and a half? In an increasingly challenging media landscape, it feels almost miraculous to still be here.

Despite data that only about five percent of media consumers’ time is spent with books and audiobooks, publishing has the conditions to thrive.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to see poet and entrepreneur Wesley “Wallstreet Wes” Robinson perform in a spoken word event at my library. I was inspired by his performance and started following him on social media, where I learned that Wallstreet facilitates poetry clinics to deliver what he calls “emotional first aid,” many times to those who are justice-involved. His posts frequently include the tagline “I’m in the building because I’m into building.”