WLA Mission
The Washington Library Association leads, advocates, educates, and connects.
Committee Roster | Library-Related Legislation | WA Library Legislative Day
2026 WA Library Legislative Day
Date: Tuesday, January 20th, 2026
Location: Irving Newhouse Building 140
215 Sid Snyder Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98501
Schedule:
2025 WA Library Legislative Day Schedule
Please note that speakers and times are subject to change.
9:00 – 9:30am | Check in and social time
- coffee, tea, light bites available
9:30 – 9:40am Welcome & introductions
- Eryn Duffee, 2026 WLA Board President
9:40 – 10:00am State of Washington Legislative Overview
- Sara Jones, Washington State Librarian
- Steve Hobbs, Washington Secretary of State
10:00 – 10:45am Special Guest(s)
- Representative/Senator TBA
- Representative/Senator TBA
10:45 – 11:15am Issue briefs & priorities
- Carolyn Logue, WLA Legislative Lobbyist & Consultant
- Abby Moore, Public Libraries of Washington Lobbyist
11:30am Group Photo
Afternoon Meetings with Representatives
Registration for Legislative Week is free, with donations accepted to help WLA continue providing quality programs that connect our library workers from around the state. WLA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
By attending WA Library Legislative Day, you can expect to:
- Connect with library supporters from all types of libraries around the state.
- Hear from special guests
- Attend sessions and hear testimony from fellow library professionals along with WLA lobbyist Carolyn Logue.
- Meet with State legislators and their staff to discuss the value of libraries and the impact laws have on them.
- Understand how to track and search for bills, give effective testimony, and advocate for libraries, to better support them in years to come!
This free event is a great way to become involved in library advocacy and help WLA push its legislative goals over the finish line!
Register here!
WLA 2026 Merit Awards
2026 Merit Awards Timeline
Dec. 5, 2025: Call for nominations
Jan. 23, 2026: Nominations due
Feb. 27, 2026: Award winners notified
Mar. 4, 2026: Winners announced in WLA Wednesday
April 17, 2026: Winners recognized at WLA 2026 Conference
Lifetime Membership Awards
- Emeritus Membership(s): Recognizes an outstanding WLA member who has retired from library service prior to the annual conference, acknowledging consistent and outstanding service in WLA and for their years of service promoting and providing excellence in libraries. Nominate here!
- Honorary Membership(s): Recognizes an individual who has supported libraries who is not a library staff member by profession. An individual who demonstrated consistent and prolonged support of library service in Washington, and/or promoted legislative action, and/or participated in statewide committee work and other library activities. Nominate here!
Merit Awards
- Outstanding Service Award: Recognizes outstanding contributions by an individual or group involved in improvement to library services, advances in the profession, advocacy for libraries, service to colleagues, or other outstanding work on behalf of libraries. Nominate here!
- Volunteer Leadership Award: Recognizes individual or group achievement in support of library service, contributed by one or more members of a Trustees, Friends, Foundation, or other volunteer group. Nominate here!
- Candace Morgan Intellectual Freedom Award: Honoring the lifetime contributions of Candace Morgan in support of Intellectual Freedom and the Library Bill of Rights, this award goes to an individual, or group for their efforts to defend, champion, support and/or educate others about Intellectual Freedom in Washington State. Nominate here!
- WLA President’s Award: To be given at the discretion of the current or acting President to reward.
Division and Section Awards
School Library Division
- Elementary Teacher-Librarian of the Year: Recognizes a Teacher-Librarian currently practicing in an elementary school library for outstanding service. Nominate here!
- Secondary Teacher-Librarian of the Year: Recognizes a Teacher-Librarian currently practicing in a secondary school library for outstanding service. Nominate here!
- School Library Paraprofessional of the Year: Recognizes an paraprofessional currently practicing in a K-12 school library for outstanding service. Nominate here!
- Excellence in School Leadership Award: Recognizes an administrator, superintendent or school board member(s) who have demonstrated outstanding school library service and/or positive action on behalf of school libraries. Nominate here!
- School Library Volunteer of the Year: Recognizes individual or group achievement in support of school library service, contributed by one or more members of a Trustees, Friends, Foundation, or other volunteer group. Nominate here!
CAYAS
- CAYAS Visionary Service Award: Recognizes an individual who, through practice and example, provides inspiration and leadership for others who serve children and young adults in libraries. May work in a public, school or special library. May acknowledge cumulated efforts over several years in the field of library service to youth, or may be a singular and exceptional effort that sets new standards for practice. This award will bring attention to the remarkable and tireless efforts of all individuals who work with young people in libraries. Nominate here!
Join the Bookend Collective!
The WLA Bookend Collective offers corporate and nonprofit partners a meaningful way to champion our Association’s mission—to lead, advocate, educate, and connect. By becoming a member of the Bookend Collective, we can ensure Washington communities remain strong and thriving for future generations.
Your annual contribution to the WLA Bookend Collective will help support today, sustain tomorrow. Initiatives include:
- Accessible training and learning opportunities, often free or low-cost, equip every library worker with the knowledge and confidence to deliver exceptional service to their communities.
- Tailored advocacy resources address the specific challenges faced by libraries, helping them build stronger, more effective partnerships with local leaders and decision-makers.
- Building a library network that connects library staff across the state, fostering collaboration, shared learning, and growth. This network empowers the dedicated professionals to face challenges together and continue delivering vital services to their communities.
Please visit our homepage for more information and to sponsor!
