WLA Mission
The Washington Library Association leads, advocates, educates, and connects.
2025 Election Nominations Close THIS WEDNESDAY!
Are you seeking leadership experience? Looking to meet new people in the library field? Passionate about advocacy for libraries and library professionals?
Whether you're a longtime member or new to the association, WLA invites you to throw your hat into the ring for a leadership position in 2025.
Please visit the Elections Webpage for open positions and to apply!
WLA Bibliotherapy in Libraries Summit - Save the Date!
Saturday, November 16, 2024 | Online
Announcing 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.
Statewide registration is now open! WLA is excited to allow state libraries and state library associations to purchase a pass to grant all library staff in their state online access to the Summit. An all-access pass will allow staff from all levels, roles, and career stages to attend for a flat fee, based on the average number of library employees in your state.
On behalf of the WLA Professional Development Committee, we're excited to announce the winners of the WLA Scholarships for 2024-2025!
Thank you to all who applied for this year's round of scholarships! If you have any questions, please contact the
WLA Office.
Apply for the WLA Mentorship Program now!
WLA is excited to announce the launch of the 2024-2025 Mentorship Program! Applications to become a mentor or a mentee are open now untii Friday, September 27.
The goal of the program is to create a valuable experience for members, build professional relationships, and strengthen the profession within Washington.
Mentees: Develop your skills, learn from the best, and build professional relationships.
Mentors: Helping develop future leaders, grow your leadership skills, and contribute to the profession.
Please visit the Mentorship Program webpage for more information and to apply!
Read the Latest Edition of Alki Now!
This issue of Alki takes up the WLA 2024 conference theme of “We All Belong.” Inside, you will find pieces on increasing accessibility in online materials, creating family-friendly spaces in academic libraries, and supporting 2SLGTBQIA+ communities in our libraries. Also included are articles on the importance of building community in rural libraries as well as an overlooked space in archives: personal UFO research collections. As the conference issue, you’ll find updates on the community at large, including the WLA Mentor program, the WLA 2024 Merit Award winners, the 2024 ALA conference, and this year’s state legislative session.
Read the Summer Issue of Alki Here!
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.
