[Libs-Or] Registration opens February 2, for the 2026 OLA/PNLA Joint Conference

[Meghan Thompson]

[image: image.png]Conference registration opens Monday, February 2.
Thinking about attending this year?  Here are some highlights we’re happy
to share:

Joint Conference:   The Oregon Library Association and the Pacific
Northwest Library Association has joined together to offer a joint
conference this year.  Attendees will be from throughout the Pacific
Northwest (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon Washington) and western Canada
(Alberta and British Columbia).  Sessions are being presented by
individuals from a variety of locations, libraries….  What a great
opportunity to get to know colleagues from within our region and just not
from our states or provinces.

Conference Structure:  OLA has returned to the offerings of either 60
minute or 90 minute sessions, with an occasional longer session if
requested.  Those like timed sessions are together so it should allow you
to plan your attendance on specific start and end times. Again, this year
there will be a great deal of supporting material available in Whova during
the conference and Northwest Central after the conference.  Presenters were
asked at the time of session submissions if they would be interested in
pre-recording their presentation to allow for virtual attendance or for
registered attendees to have the opportunity to view a presentation you are
unable to meet.  Presenters are being contacted for conformation of doing
so.

Keynote Sessions:  Again this year, we are excited to provide two keynote
sessions.  Our opening keynote is Mychal the Librarian, scheduled for April
22, 12:30 pm.  He is a librarian, author, and media personality celebrated
for his joyful advocacy of literacy and mental health. Our Friday, April
24, keynote is with Ellie Alexander, bestselling author of more than forty
cozy mystery novels.  She is the founder of the annual Ashland Mystery
Festival and a frequent guest at library programs and author events
throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond, including the popular
Northwest Authors series and independent bookshops across the region.

President’s All-Conference Reception:  We will again combine the
all-conference reception and president’s party into one event on Wednesday,
April 22, 5 – 7pm.  Join us for desserts and a no-host bar along with the
opportunity to meet up with birds of a feathers at various round tables.

Special Events:  Looking to connect with your colleagues around the Pacific
Northwest?  Join us for the President’s All-Conference Reception on
Wednesday evening, the OLA/PNLA luncheon with individual organization
business meetings after lunch on Thursday, the OLA/PNLA Awards Luncheon on
Friday, and the OLA Public Library Division’s dinner on Thursday evening.

Sensory Space / Quiet Room:  Need a break?  Visit our quiet room to retreat
from the hum of the conference.  This space will be available by noon on
Wednesday through the beginning of the final round of sessions on Friday.
Please use headphones/earbuds for all media while kicking back in this
low-light, sensory-sensitive area.

Social / Craft Room:  Join us for some hands-on, self-directed activities
and conversation in this dedicated creative and social space for the
duration of the conference.

Questions?  Reach out to the planning committee via email to, Shirley
Roberts, ola at olaweb.org or Debbi Kramer, debkramerpnla at gmail.com.

Register Now:  https://ola.memberclicks.net/ola-pnla-conf-registration-2026

Conference Schedule and Sessions info Now Available, if you would like to
take a look before registering:
https://oregonlibconference.org/2026/programs/

Also checkout the OLA 2026 Conference Webpages:
https://oregonlibconference.org/2026/

Hope to see you in Portland.
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