When the Public Library Association (PLA) chose Minneapolis to host the 2026 PLA Conference, it could not have anticipated “Operation Metro Surge,” the deployment of roughly 3,000 federal immigration enforcement agents and officers to the Twin Cities, as the event approached. But two months out, the organization affirmed its commitment to Minneapolis and the event—and the safety of attendees.

“PLA is heartbroken by recent events and has been coordinating closely with city and venue partners to support them and to foster a safe and welcoming conference environment,” the PLA board said in a statement on January 30. “We are committed to moving forward with PLA 2026 in Minneapolis, April 1–3, and look forward to gathering in strength and solidarity with Minnesota colleagues and with all of you around the country—in person or virtually.”

Out of “an abundance of caution,” the press release recommended some safety procedures:

• Download the PLA 2026 Conference mobile app and subscribe to alerts
• Review Know Your Rights resources
• Make a digital copy of and plan to carry personal identification (REAL ID or passport) with you at all times
• Share your itinerary with someone at home and check in regularly
• Take off your conference badge when traveling outside conference venues
• Stay alert to your surroundings

For those who cannot or choose not to attend in person, PLA offers a concurrent virtual conference experience.

Those traveling to Minneapolis will have opportunities to support the local community during the conference. PLA offered a reminder that Minneapolis officials say the best way to support the area is to come, eat out, shop, and stay in the hotels.

Newbery winning author Kate DiCamillo, who lives in Minneapolis and will be speaking at a lunch event with fellow author Ann Patchett on Thursday, April 2, is looking forward to welcoming librarians to her city. To her, the mission of libraries aligns with the response of so many Minneapolis residents.

“I’ve lived in Minneapolis for more than half of my life now, and I have never been more proud to be a Minnesotan,” she says. “The community reaction has been awe-inspiring. I’m very moved to think about us hosting the public librarians, who are also so community-minded and who stand up daily for civil liberties in their libraries.”  

As of press time, PLA reported 4,600 registrants, fewer than the reported 7,500 who attended the conference in 2024, with several weeks before the event. Regardless of how many librarians attend, DiCamillo will be there to welcome them.

“Public libraries made me who I am—a writer, a reader,” she says. “I grew up in a small town in Central Florida. The Cooper Memorial Public Library was a safe place for my brother and me, a place where we felt complete freedom.

“I am looking forward to connecting with librarians—meeting them, shaking their hands, thanking them for what they do every day.”

VISIT WITH VENDORS

The Exhibits Hall will feature hundreds of vendors showcasing the latest in publishing, media, and library technology, equipment, services, and supplies. Following an opening reception from 3–6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, sponsored by online tutoring company Brainfuse (booth 502), the Exhibits Hall will be open from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Thursday and 9 a.m.–2 p.m. on Friday.

Locally based Tech Logic (booth 615) will be hosting a “Minnesota Lights” celebration on the evening of April 2 featuring food, local brews and local artwork, live music, “and stunning Twin Cities views with plenty of photo ops.” Attendees can RSVP to the event on tech-logic.com. The company will also be offering prizes to attendees via their new selfCIRC LOCKER hardware system at their booth, and says they’ll be announcing big product developments.

Bibliotheca (booth 603), another local company, will be hosting its Customer Connect 2026 user group meeting as a pre-show event, March 30–31, at its headquarters in nearby Lake Elmo, MN, featuring seminars, hands-on workshops, and networking events.

Ingram has been ramping up to fill part of the distribution void in the wake of Baker & Taylor’s bankruptcy. In January, the company’s Library Services division announced a partnership with Backstage Library Works (booth 323) to provide ready-to-circulate materials even for “libraries with highly customized” specifications. In February the company announced the hire of Zuanarda “Z” Causey, formerly of SirsiDynix, to lead the company’s national library sales strategy, along with new distribution center associates in Roseburg, OR; Ft. Wayne, IN; Chambersburg, PA; and La Vergne, TN, as well as new business development managers, system integration specialists, technical services specialists, inside sales specialists, sales associates, and library integrations specialists.

Other vendors looking to help libraries with distribution needs include K–12 school distribution giants Mackin (booth 1608) and Follett Content (booth 1914), which both announced their entry into the public library market last fall, and Amazon Business (booth 1525), which launched a new online hub for libraries last summer.

And Playaway (booth 1503) will be debuting a new product that has been in the pilot test phase with the New York Public Library and five other systems for months. The company will be hosting an invitation-only event to demo the new device at PLA.

PLA PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

Leading up to the PLA Conference, on Thursday, March 12 at 1 p.m. Central, members will have the opportunity to learn more about the two candidates standing for president in the upcoming PLA election. Aimee Fifarek, director and chief executive officer of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, OH; and Skye Patrick, county librarian and director, LA County Library, CA, will participate in a virtual forum moderated by PLA President Dr. Brandy McNeil. Register at ala.org/pla/about/people/election/candidates-forum.

LJ recently caught up with Fifarek and Patrick to learn more about their interest in serving PLA in this leadership role.

Aimee Fifarek: Being asked to stand for election for PLA President-Elect is a great honor, especially at a time when libraries nationwide are facing coordinated challenges to free and open access to information. PLA and ALA were my early training grounds as I learned to apply my education in real-world advocacy situations. That training prepared me for the work I do every day in Ohio: leading a great library team and advocating for library funding and intellectual freedom.

Having a support system to face challenges both routine and extraordinary is immensely important to a healthy career. PLA has been that support system for me and thousands of library workers since its founding in 1944. Each conference or training session renews my enthusiasm and gives me new ideas and professional connections. I want to make sure that experience continues to be available to everyone in our profession.

Strong operations are essential to effective advocacy and to PLA’s long-term organizational strength. I welcome the opportunity to work with the other members of the PLA Board and the excellent PLA Staff to meet strategic plan goals, contribute to organizational oversight, and do my part to ensure successful conferences and programming.

Giving back to the profession that shaped my career is important to me, and standing for election is one way to do that. I believe I have the skills and experience to serve the membership of PLA in this capacity. I would be honored to earn the support of PLA members for my presidency.

Skye Patrick: As public libraries navigate unprecedented demand amid constrained resources, rising censorship, and increasing threats to the profession, PLA must serve as a visionary partner providing strategic leadership, connection, andsupport for libraries and their workers. In an increasingly divided landscape, libraries remain among the most trusted civic institutions. We must protect and strengthen that trust by expanding access, fostering belonging, and supporting democracy and public knowledge.

If elected, my focus will be to align PLA with the most pressing priorities facing libraries: advancing digital equity, deepening community partnerships, advocating for sustainable public investment, and equipping library leaders with practical tools to respond to rapid political, societal, and technological change.

My leadership is informed by decades of service in major library systems, including Broward County Library [FL], Queens Public Library [NY], and San Francisco Public Library. Since 2016, I have served as County Librarian for LA County Library, overseeing 87 libraries and a $229 million budget serving more than 10 million residents. I have centered community voice through inclusive processes, ensuring residents and staff help shape library services and priorities. My work has focused on expanding access through fine-free policies, extended hours, in-person tutoring, modernized programs and marketing, facility and IT improvements, and cross-sector partnerships, while leading through fiscal challenges.

I am committed to strengthening libraries as welcoming spaces that connect readers, writers, and learners of all ages to civic and cultural life. I would drive to help libraries collaborate, adapt, and remain essential anchors of information, learning, and belonging.