FAQ's

ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition (Virtual)
Frequently Asked Questions

ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition (Virtual) is an online event, bringing together librarians and library staff, educators, authors, publishers, friends of libraries, trustees, special guests, and exhibitors.

With up to 250 scheduled programs, sessions, and in-depth facilitated and informative conversations, attendees are engaged in a wide range of library- and professional development-related topics. The Conference brings together bestselling authors; experts; political luminaries; and thought-leaders and influencers in the library field from around the world. Important updates are shared, relevant legislation and policy are addressed, and discussions take place that majorly impact libraries and their ongoing transformation.

Librarians, authors, publishers, business professionals, educators and students, anyone passionate about books, libraries, and eager to learn and shape the future of the industry.

The virtual conference is open to all in the library field. You do not have to be an ALA Member to attend. However, one of the many benefits of being an ALA Member is the opportunity to save on conference registration. To learn more about membership, view www.ala.org/membership/joinala

Registration is accepted in two types only: Full Conference and The Library Marketplace-Only.

Full conference registration includes access to all speakers, education sessions, and The Library Marketplace activities.

The Library Marketplace-Only registration includes access to all speakers, sessions, and activities offered on Day One of the conference only, although it is possible to view these activities any time throughout the conference. If you are a Library Marketplace-Only registrant, you can upgrade at any time during the conference to the Full Conference by visiting your registration dashboard or contacting CompuSystems at [email protected].

If you are an ALA Member who has recently been furloughed, laid off, or are experiencing a reduction of paid work hours, we invite you to join us for no cost at all. During the registration process, you can indicate your circumstance to receive your complimentary registration.

Yes. When you register, click the box indicating your plan to Gift a Registration and complete the registration process. An email will be sent to your guest, inviting them to add their contact information. If you’ve already registered, you can easily edit your registration.

If you’d like to register a group of people, ALA is offering a Register 5 People and get 1 Free Registration option. To register a group, begin by signing in with the first person you’d like to register, then click the "Add Another" button on the Review Information page to add each subsequent registrant. Once you've completed registration for everyone in your group, click "Finish" on the Review page. Note: You will need to enter a unique email address for each person in your group so that they will be able to access the virtual event.

Also, when registering the group of six, the free registration will be reflected on the Payment page. The total cost for all five registrants can be paid via credit card, purchase order, or check. If paying by check, please include the check number in the purchase order number box.

 

Yes, If you are unable to attend the full conference? You can enjoy the sessions and activities taking place in The Library Marketplace only.  Beginning June 23 and throughout the conference, access 100s of interactive Exhibitor Booths; the Title/Product Showcase with 1,000s of the newest products, titles, and services; a Swag-a-Palooza directory with loads of give-aways, e-galleys, and contests for free prizes; and the very popular Live From the 25 Podcast BoothFestival of Shorts, and the Diversity in Publishing Title Showcase! On the Presentation Stages, you’ll hear from the latest authors and illustrators—as well as experts in library management and other library operations. Also, look for fun activities(great for networking), like Yoga, the Magic Show, the Bunny Break, the Blues Break, and more, to keep things lively. Content will be available to "Library Marketplace Only" registrants for one year.
Regular Rate $79.

Conference sessions and activities are hosted in the United States, Central Time Zone.

Yes. The event content will be accessible to registrants for one year.

Although the schedule is based in the U.S., Central time zone, attendees across the globe can attend the event. The structure of the event is built so that many of the sessions can be accessed in an on-demand format. Registrants will also have access to the event content for one year.

Yes, the letter of attendance will be sent to all registrants, one to two days, post-conference. The letter can be accessed through your dashboard from your registration confirmation and will be emailed immediately following the meeting. If you cannot access your confirmation please contact [email protected].

Lost registration information can be requested by emailing [email protected].

All registrants will receive an email one week prior to the event with access instructions.

Yes, there will be sessions designed for interaction with presenters and fellow attendees.

All sessions presented by ALA will be captioned. ASL interpreting will also be available for all main stage sessions and other sessions at the request of attendees. For additional accessibility needs, please contact [email protected].
 

Yes, please see the Virtual Meeting Code of Conduct.

Because the event serves as an open forum, opinions expressed and/or materials distributed by program participants do not necessarily reflect, or imply advocacy or endorsement by the American Library Association, its officers, or members.

If you need to edit your registration, please visit the dashboard found in your confirmation email. If you need additional assistance or cannot locate your confirmation, please email [email protected].

Registration cancellations must be sent to [email protected] by Friday, June 18, 2021. There will be a handling fee of $50 for each registration canceled and no cancellation refunds will be offered after June, 18, 2021.

You can win top prizes from three of our conference sponsors when you Opt in to Win.  Win one of ten $100 gift cards from Gale, a Cengage company; a set of custom furniture for your library from Virco; or cool “Be Internet Awesome” prizes from Google! 

How? When registering, leave the ‘Opt In’ box checked. Then opt in on the Program Scheduler by checking the box “Share your Information with Attendees and Exhibitors”.

Also by opting in, you can participate in ‘Swag-a-Palooza’ during the conference. You’re gonna need a BIG BAG for all the awesome prizes and e-galleys!

Participants must remain opted in through June 30, 2021 to be eligible to win. Winners will be notified by July 31, 2021. Mailing addresses of the winners will be provided to the sponsors for the delivery of prizes.

 

 

 

Ask using the Contact Us form.

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