{"id":9232,"date":"2019-06-17T03:00:26","date_gmt":"2019-06-17T10:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bclaconnectrev.wpengine.com\/perspectives\/?p=9232"},"modified":"2025-01-22T11:25:43","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T19:25:43","slug":"professional-development-pnla-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bclaconnect.ca\/perspectives\/2019\/06\/17\/professional-development-pnla-style\/","title":{"rendered":"Professional Development \u2013 PNLA Style!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"PNLA<\/p>\n

The Pacific Northwest Library Association (PNLA) is (in my opinion) one of the best resources for professional development in our region. \u00a0This association is an international group of library professionals and workers from all types of libraries, in all sorts of positions. Our members are assistants and associates, librarians, special librarians, library professors, school librarians, archivists, library directors, and even library trustees and board members! \u00a0We come from Canada (British Columbia and Alberta) and the United States (Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon), and from communities ranging in size from Vancouver, Edmonton and Seattle to Whistler and Utqiagvik, and everything in between.<\/p>\n

The PNLA Board (elected by the membership) is constantly working to bring value to the membership. \u00a0Our biggest opportunity for networking and professional development each year is our annual conference. \u00a0This event rotates among our states and provinces, giving folks a chance to access the conference closer to home. \u00a0\u00a0This year\u2019s conference, Libraries Leading the Way <\/i>will be held August 5-7 in Spokane, Washington and will feature pre-conferences, speakers and breakout sessions on the topic of leadership in libraries.<\/p>\n

Leadership is an important topic in PNLA, particularly the concept of leading from any level. \u00a0The LEADS Institute has been one of the critical activities of the Pacific Northwest Library Association. To date, over 200 individuals have gone back to their libraries, library systems, and communities equipped with leadership and management skills to help guide their libraries in this time of tremendous and constant change. \u00a0LEADS is going through a reconstruction process this year, and we are looking forward to offering this popular professional development opportunity in 2021.<\/p>\n

With its smaller size, the Pacific Northwest Library Association is an amazing opportunity to increase one\u2019s involvement in the library profession without becoming overwhelmed by the time demands. \u00a0Volunteer opportunities within PNLA abound, and are open to folks from any type of library or job category:<\/p>\n