With demonstrators in subzero Minneapolis, Minn., taking to the streets to resist Customs and Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement patrols of their city, the Public Library Association is planning for its biennial conference, scheduled to take place at the Minneapolis Convention Center, April 1–3.

Posting on social media, the association told members and patrons, “PLA is heartbroken by recent events and has been coordinating closely with city and venue partners.” They are “committed to moving forward with” the conference and “looking forward to gathering in strength and solidarity with Minnesota colleagues and with all of you.”

The association also offers a concurrent virtual option, which is intended to approximate the experience of being at the in-person version. The virtual option will offer livestreams of keynote sessions, selected programs, and networking opportunities.

“We are actively monitoring the local conditions and working with all our venue partners so we understand the status of what’s happening on the ground,” PLA deputy director Larra Clark told PW. Clark urged anyone attending the show to download the conference app for best access to updates. “In terms of venues, there are some limitations for a conference of our size, so we’re looking at all the options” in case an event must be moved, she said.

Despite violence and political unrest, Clark said, “We have 4,500 registrations as of this morning”—Tuesday, February 3— “which is on pace for what we were anticipating. Most of our conferences have registrations over 5,000, and it is on track.” She added that this number includes everyone, whether for full conference access, exhibit-only or exhibit-plus passes, or day passes. There have been some cancelations, “but we don’t ask the reasons, we just process it and put in for a reimbursement,” she said.

PLA’s April 2024 conference, held in Columbus, Ohio, drew more than 7,500 attendees, PW reported that year.

Clark expressed confidence in the convention center. “Throughout the past month, they have successfully hosted several large-scale events,” including the Minnesota School Boards Association meeting, an auto show, and a boat show, she said. “I do think we’re going to be one of the largest, because those are mostly state and local shows and not national. But the venue has been a great resource for helping us navigate.”

She also has heard “a loud and strong desire from folks to support our colleagues in the city. One of the best ways to do that is to continue to invest our time and dollars there,” to counteract the suppression of regular business activities and daily life due to CBP and ICE presence. While many PLA members would like to have detailed conversations with Minnesota librarians about the situation, she observed, “we’re respecting the fact that folks on the ground are super busy. They’re talking to each other, taking care of staff, monitoring what’s happening in the city.”

Lerner Publishing Group, which has its headquarters in Minneapolis, also is planning ahead in this exceptionally challenging moment. The company would like to host a party or event, publicity director Lindsay Matvick said, “but it’s a weird vibe. We’re trying to figure out how to do something that feels good.”

Whatever Lerner chooses to do in April, Matvick continued, “I think PLA will be good. The librarians are going to be fabulous, and everybody's going to be on the same page. Everybody will come together and it’ll be a wonderful event, because we’re like-minded people. It is what we need.”