"[3] In keeping with this mission, the PLA provides continuing education to members, hosts a biennial professional conference, publishes a trade journal, and advocates for public libraries and literacy.
[5] The PLA's current president is Sonia Alcántara-Antoine, its president-elect is Michael Lambert, and its executive director is Mary Davis Fournier.
[7] Members of PLA standing committees, award juries, task forces, and advisory groups are appointed to one- or two-year terms by the president-elect.
Published six times annually, this magazine focuses on news and issues pertaining to public libraries and librarianship.
[14] The PLA's First National Conference, with the theme "Serving People: Public Libraries Today and Tomorrow" was presented March 23–26, 1983 in Baltimore, Maryland.