PNLA Quarterly, Vol. 63 No.3 Spring 1999

PNLA 1909-1999: A Thumbnail Sketch

The Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exposition provided the setting for the inception of the first international regional library association, the Pacific Northwest Library Association. At a conference held at the University of Washington campus, the newly-formed organization adopted a consitution and bylaws on June 10, 1909. One of the Association's purposes was continuing education. The first membership list numberd 85 -- 59 from Washington, 35 from Oregon, and one form B.C. The first president was William E. Henry of the University of Washington Library.

Ten years later, the membership included members from Idaho, Montana and Utah; and the membership dues were doubled to $1.00. John Ridington of the University of British Columbia was president.

During the 1920s, PNLA developed into a strong organization of over 200 members. Conferences provided opportunities for "friendly acquaintance as well as exchange of ideas and the nourishment of ideas," according to Ruth Gershevsky. Edgar S. Robinson, Vanouver Public Library, was president in 1928-1929.

The first issue of the Quarterly, subtitled "A Northwest Journal of Current Library Opinion," was published in October of 1936. It included a proposal to establish a regional bibliographic center. The center was established and until 1970 operated under the leadership of PNLA.

J. Elizabeth Olson, Umtilla Country Library, Pendleton, Oregon, was president during 1936-1939.

The Young Reader's Choice Award was established in 1940, to promote reading for pleasure so that a life-long love for reading and learning would be instilled in youth.

In 1948-49, Mary E. Blossom of the Library Association of Portland was president. Ronald Ley of the Fraser Valley Regional Library in B. C. was president in 1958-59.

During the 1960s and 1970s, PNLA reorganized itself more than once, and strengthened its continuing education focus. President in 1967-69 was Mary E. Phillips, Library Association of P ortland and in 1978-79, Gary E. Strong of Washington State Library.

The Pacific Northwest Bibliographic center was disbanded in 1983; the union catalog was transferred to the University of Washington Libraries and the remaining funds transferred to WLN. George Smith, Alaska State Library, was president in 1988-1989.

PNLA began to refocus and reinvent itself in 1996-97. Surveys and discussions reaffirmed that opportunities for networking, cooperation and sharing, as well as continuing education activities with a regional and international flavor, were important to the membership.

At the 1998 conference in Sun Valley, where Andrew Johnson, University of Washington Library, assumed the office of President of PNLA for 1998-1999, the PNLA membership ratified a new mission statement and approved a plan of action. At the conference in Calgary, the Board will report progress and seek additional input from members.

This brief history has been excerpted from the Board Handbook. The Conference Committee would love to hear more personal and anecdotal memories of PNLA's past--bring them to Calgary, or send them to any Board member or to the Quarterly.

See you all in Calgary. Yahoo!