PALCI will hold its biennial member retreat and conference, Leading with Impact, October 13 to 15, 2026 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The event brings together library staff from PALCI’s 80-plus member institutions across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, and Delaware for three days of programming focused on institutional strategy, resource sharing, and collective action in the academic library community.

Headshot photograph of Rosalyn MetzFeatured speakers

Rosalyn Metz, Chief Technology Officer at Emory University Libraries and Museum, will deliver the conference keynote on open infrastructure and the sustainability of the scholarly community’s shared technology.

Kyle Courtney, Executive Director of the Social Law Library and former Director of Copyright and Information Policy at Harvard Library, will lead a plenary session on copyright, licensing, and the legal landscape facing academic and research libraries.


A PALCI Leadership Workshop : The Institutional Strategist

The retreat also includes a leadership workshop facilitated by independent consultant Gwen Evans, with a plenary panel featuring Consuella Askew (Rutgers University), Mickey McDonald (President, Great Lakes Colleges Association), and Mark McBride (Ithaka S+R).

 

Also on the agenda

Photograph of bookstacks in historic State Library of PennsylvaniaAn optional tour of the State Capitol Building, Modern Sharing Strategies project briefings and affinity group discussion tables, and an optional walking tour of the newly restored State Library of Pennsylvania, led by State Library Director Sarah Greene.


A sponsorship opportunity

PALCI events depend on the support of publishers, vendors, and partner organizations who share our commitment to affordable, collaborative access to scholarly resources. Sponsorship helps keep registration costs low for member library staff, offsets speaker costs, and funds travel support for attendees who would not otherwise be able to participate.

We welcome sponsors at every level. Organizations interested in supporting the 2026 retreat, whether through a platinum, gold, or silver level commitment, an exhibitor table, or another form of partnership, are invited to contact us at support@palci.org for a full sponsor prospectus.


For PALCI member attendees

Registration is open now for staff of PALCI member libraries and invited guests. Members can find the full agenda, speaker details, and registration form via the PALCI Portal on Basecamp (member login required).


Questions

For sponsorship inquiries, general questions about the retreat, or media inquiries, contact support@palci.org.