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WLA Mission

The Washington Library Association leads, advocates, educates, and connects.

#WLA2025 Now Accepting Program Proposals

On behalf of the conference committee, we invite you to submit a program proposal for the 2025 WLA Conference.

Submit a Program Proposal

 

Proposals are due no later than December 4, 2024.
Applicants will be notified of their proposal status by January 10, 2025.
In case of acceptance, presenters are asked to seek advance approval from their employers for time away from work to present.

Please direct questions to the WLA office at [email protected] or (206) 823-1138. Learn more about the conference here and find more information about WLA Programs here.

For additional tips on submitting a proposal, read the "Tips for a Great Program Proposal" document: https://tinyurl.com/Program-Proposal-Tips

WLA 2025 Committee Application Open

Whether you're new to WLA or a longtime volunteer, we are looking for dedicated members like to join our major committees in 2025! Our committee interest form is now open, and we’d love for you to get involved. This is a great opportunity to contribute your skills, connect with fellow professionals, and help shape the future of WLA.

Committee members should:

  • Participate in monthly online meetings (year-round) and periodic email discussions
  • Have an interest in or previous experience with the focus area of the committee
  • Be a WLA Member

Please visit our committee interest form for more information! If you have any questions, please email the WLA Office at [email protected].



2025 WLA Pawsident Election

Nominations now open!

Do you have a pet who loves watching you read? Do they try to attend your online library-related meetings? Do they inspect your tote bag after every library trip you make? If so, your pet probably loves libraries! That’s already worth celebrating—give yourself (or your pet) a pat on the back. But why stop there? WLA is hosting a “Pawsidential” election fundraiser, and we’d love for you to nominate your furry friend! Nominations close Friday, Nov. 29. 

Nominate the next WLA Pawsident here!

The election is part of our ongoing #SupportWALibraries fundraising, which assists with WLA scholarships, member services, and more!

Please visit the Pawsident homepage for updated information.

2025 WLA Election results are in!

Thank you to all WLA Members who participated in voting! Visit our Elections page to view the results for new Board, Division, and Section leadership, as well the proposed rates restructure for individual WLA members, beginning in Jan. 2025.

 

2024 WA State Candidate Statements

Libraries serve as invaluable hubs in Washington State communities, providing access to information, resources, and educational opportunities for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. However, like many essential institutions, libraries face a myriad of challenges and opportunities for improvement.

The Washington Library Association Legislative and Advocacy Committees crafted and sent surveys with the questions below to all statewide general election candidates. The survey aimed to gather candidates' perspectives on key issues affecting libraries and to explore how they envisioned addressing these concerns if elected to office. Responses are available in the links above to our membership and supporters, to help increase their awareness and education on candidate positions that may have an impact on their local communities.

View the 2024 WA Candidate Statements here.

 

WLA Bibliotherapy in Libraries Summit - Save the Date!

Saturday, November 16, 2024 | Online

Intro to Bibliotherapy Speaker: Emely Rumble
We are excited to announce our Intro to Bibliotherapy Summit Speaker, Emely Rumble!
Emely Rumble, LCSW, is a distinguished licensed clinical social worker, school social worker, and seasoned bibliotherapist and psychotherapist with over 14 years of professional experience. Committed to making mental health services more accessible, Emely specializes in the transformative practice of bibliotherapy.
Having earned her undergraduate degree from Mount Holyoke College and completed her social work degree at Smith College School for Social Work, Emely resides in the Bronx with her husband, two children, and her psychiatric service dog, Montana. She embodies a holistic and compassionate approach to mental health and well-being. Her debut book 'Bibliotherapy in The Bronx' releases on April 29 2025 with Row House Publishing.

Summit Keynote Speaker: John Schu
WLA is pleased to share that the keynote speaker for the Summit will be librarian and writer John Schu! Schu has made a career out of advocating for the people and things he cares about most: kids, books, and the people who connect them. He is the children’s librarian for Bookelicious and the author of This Is a School (Candlewick, 2022) illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison, This Is a Story (Candlewick, 2023) illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Lauren Castillo, Louder Than Hunger (Candlewick, 2024), Louder Than Hunger (Candlewick, 2024) and The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life (Stenhouse, 2022). John Schu lives in Naperville, IL.

Individual registration is now open! Individual registration costs are $20 WLA Students; $35 WLA Members; and $55 Non-Members. Washington State Library has provided state-wide access for ALL library employees in Washington.

Please visit the Summit webpage for more information!