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@olaweb.org or Debbi Kramer, debkramerpnla@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.

Shirley Roberts, OLA, and Debbi Kramer, PNLA, Conference co-chairs.