***BEFORE YOU REGISTER FOR THIS ON-DEMAND WEBINAR PLEASE REVIEW IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION BELOW***
A PLA 2026 Virtual Conference On-Demand Webinar
Wondering how your library can gather and implement meaningful feedback from a diverse range of community members? Multnomah County Library and Bora Architects can help! We've implemented in-depth, equitable community engagement to inform capital bond-funded work on eight libraries. Gain tools and actionable strategies to form your own community engagement plan to listen to community members and gain insights to better meet the needs of your communities in your everyday work.
Recorded live during the PLA 2026 Virtual Conference, April 1–3, 2026.
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this on-demand webinar, participants will be able to:
- Understand the steps to create a community engagement plan that can deeply inform spaces and processes;
- See a tangible example of how community engagement can inform the design of physical library spaces and hearing our lessons learned; and
- Utilize a variety of tools to plan and support intentional community engagement.
Who Should Attend
This on-demand webinar is intended for any public library worker wishing to sample the educational offerings of the PLA 2026 Virtual Conference.
If you were registered for the PLA 2026 Virtual Conference, or were an in-person full-conference registrant who purchased the Virtual Conference add-on, then you already have access to this recording in the online Conference console until July 3, 2026.
Panelists
Invested, attentive, and organized. Katie O’Dell believes public libraries offer infinite opportunities to create a better future. With nearly 30 years experience as a senior library executive, grant manager, and frontline librarian, Katie’s unique skill set is in facilitating an idea from kernel to completion.
Annie Lewis was appointed Multnomah County Director of Libraries in October 2024 after serving as Interim Director since June 2024. In this role, she provides strategic direction and leadership for the organization through creating systems that are rooted in organizational values of equity and inclusion and by nurturing organizational development to support people through change. She holds an MLIS from the University of Washington and a B.A. from Pacific University.
Jeanie Lai is a design principal at Bora Architecture & Interiors with 28 years of experience shaping transformative academic, civic, and cultural projects. As an architect and interior designer, she works across disciplines to create meaningful, community-centered spaces that foster belonging, reflect cultural identity, and deepen connections to nature. Rooted in a childhood love of art and making, her work blends storytelling, craft, and materiality—elevating spaces and bringing joy to the places we inhabit.
Suzanne Chou is the community engagement strategist for the Multnomah County Library Capital Building Projects. She works with architects, staff and communities to ensure community voices are heard throughout design. Using a variety of methods, Suzanne expands what equitable community engagement can look like, centering communities who are often left out of public processes. Suzanne received her PhD in human-centered design research, focused on improving how we design to create more positive outcomes for communities.
Important Registration Information
Log into or create your ALA eLearning account
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Redeem your signup code to complete your registration
Once you’ve registered for this on-demand webinar, a signup code will be added to your ALA eLearning account and emailed to you. Find the signup code on your signup code page, then redeem it on your account’s dashboard to complete your enrollment in this on-demand webinar.
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Accommodations
This on-demand webinar is closed captioned in English (United States).
If you have a physical or communication need that may affect your access to this on-demand webinar, please contact us at plawebinars@ala.org or 800-545-2433 ext. 5PLA (5752) prior to registering so we can attempt to provide appropriate accommodations.
Tech Requirements
To play this on-demand webinar you should use a browser with native HTML5 support. Please use the most up-to-date version available of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, or Edge. A fast Internet connection and computer is recommended.
Contact
This webinar is presented by the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA).
If you have questions or problems accessing a recording, send a message to plawebinars@ala.org or call 800-545-2433 ext. 5PLA (5752).
