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WLA Mission

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

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#WLA2023 Kicks of in Wenatchee!

Washington library professionals from across the state have come together for the 2023 WLA Conference in Wenatchee! Onsite registration is still available.

Our annual conference facilitates unique opportunities for innovation and collaboration between Academic, Public, School, and Special libraries across the state. Our Conference Committee has designed this conference for library professionals of all job roles, from all types of libraries, and at all career stages. You'll leave with connections, ideas, and information to put into action.

Conference highlights include:

  • Networking opportunities to facilitate make meaningful, lasting connections, including Dine-Arounds, receptions, the Table Topics Lunch, Divisional unconferences, meetups around shared interests and identities, and an app with an attendee social network.
  • 70+ sessions from experts and innovators in Academic, Public, School, and Special libraries across the state.
  • Virtual content available to all attendees to watch on demand through June 2023.
  • Preconference Workshops to give a deeper dive into the topics of accessibility, community-centered planning, serving Indigenous communities, and more.
  • Extracurricular activities to get you out exploring Wenatchee with new friends.
  • User-friendly app to help you navigate the conference with ease, build your schedule, find new connections, participate in community discussions, enter challenges to win prizes, and so much more.
  • Keynote speaker to be announced soon!
  • Closing session featuring a panel on book challenges.
  • Four meals included in your registration, plus refreshment breaks and receptions.
  • Exhibit Hall packed full of library-related vendors offering giveaways, discounts, and exclusive opportunities to conference attendees.

K12Librarians4AllWA Campaign

" "Washington schools need Teacher Librarians!

All Washington K-12 students deserve access to a strong school library program with a qualified Teacher Librarian. We believe all Washington students deserve access to strong school library programs directed by qualified Teacher Librarians. Decades of research confirm that students with strong school library programs and qualified Teacher Librarians have better educational outcomes and are more prepared for post-secondary education. This is especially true for students who experience poverty or other risk factors. However, school library programs in Washington are currently not equitably distributed, with those most in need of strong school libraries having the least access to them.  

We hope you use this website to learn about the importance of all school libraries for Washington students.  Join us in urging Washington State elected officials to support school library programs for all Washington students.

WLA Accessibility in Libraries Logo

WLA Accessibility in Libraries Summit Recordings Available

The 2022 WLA Accessibility in Libraries Summit was held on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. If you missed the live sessions, you can still register to get access to session recordings, transcripts, chat logs, and presentation materials.

Registrants will have access to recordings and materials through October 2023. If you have any questions, please contact the WLA Office at [email protected] or 206-823-1138.

Statement on Intellectual Freedom and the Freedom to Read

The Washington Library Association has released an updated Statement on Intellectual Freedom and the Freedom to Read. Read the statement in full on WLA's Intellectual Freedom Section (IFS) site, and explore other free resources related to intellectual freedom and freedom from censorship.

Want to become a member of IFS? Joining the section is free with WLA membership. Add the section to your existing membership or request to join by contacting the WLA Office.

WLA Statement on Anti-Racism

The Washington Library Association decries the brutality Black communities experience from those charged to protect and serve. Libraries are providers of vital resources for historically underserved communities, and this work has never been more important than it is now. We are responsible for continuing to do this difficult, sometimes painful work that demands we address our biases and how they impact our ability to serve our communities equitably. We urge library professionals across Washington to fight for Black lives, actively oppose systemic oppression and police brutality, and prioritize anti-racism in all that we do. The WLA Board is committed to doing this anti-racist work within our association. To be silent is to be complicit.

For resources regarding anti-racism, click here.