It's almost here: next week more than 8,000 public library professionals, exhibitors, speakers and guests will make their way to the 2020 Public Library Association national conference, set for February 25–29, in Nashville Tennessee.

PLA's biennial conferences have been the most popular, and growing national events for librarians, and this year's show is set up to be a strong one, with more than 120 programs focused on the future of U.S. public library services. “The roles of public libraries keep expanding as the needs of our communities change,” said PLA President Ramiro Salazar, in a statement ahead of the show. “We look forward to learning, connecting and leading as we gather in the vibrant city of Nashville.”

Below you can check out all of PW's pre-conference coverage:

PLA 2020: Stacey Abrams, Samantha Bee Headline in Nashville: With A-list keynotes speakers, a rich professional program, and the storied city of Nashville taking center stage, the 2020 PLA conference—the first of a new decade—is certainly set up to be a great one.

PLA 2020: Nashville's Library Is What Makes It Tick: How the award-winning Nashville Public Library inspires reading, advances learning, and connects communities in Language City, U.S.A., from its treasured Civil Rights room, to its nationally recognized resident puppet troupe, and NPL Studio, a groundbreaking teen makerspace that emphasizes technology and the arts, including spoken word, creative writing, and audio and music production.

PLA 2020: Ingram Rolls Out the Red Carpet: The Nashville institution is eager to welcome the city’s first major publishing conference

PLA 2020: Landing Religion Books In Libraries: Librarians in Nashville reveal best practices for religion publishers to reach the library market

PLA 2020: General Trade Publishers Find Their Groove in Nashville: The interplay of music and literature fuels hometown presses

PLA 2020: Nashville's Killer Fairs and Festivals: Turning a spotlight onto the literary fairs and fesitvals in Music City.

PLA 2020: A Nashville Chef's Recipe for Healing: A Nashville chef serves up a recipe for healing

PLA 2020: Indie Booksellers Keep Nashville Humming: After losing Davis-Kidd Booksellers, local bookstores are celebrating an indie resurgence