Registration Information
2025 Connecticut Library Association Conference: Making Space
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
April 28 & 29 (APRIL 27 PRECONFERENCE)
Mystic Marriott Hotel and Spa in Groton, CT
Join us for an exciting line-up of featured speakers, plus two full days of workshops and sessions, and plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues and exhibitors. Our preconference and after-hours events will include an optional add-on Legislative Workshop "Ready, Set, Advocate!," free President's Reception (plus food, games and more), cocktails with our vendors, an optional add-on fundraising event "Closet Runway," and a free craft supply exchange alongside our 2nd "Stitch 'N Bitch" gathering.
Preliminary Program Schedule NOW Available at our CLA Conference Website.(Please note this schedule may change)
Registration:
Notice: By registering for any portion of the CLA Conference, you are agreeing to follow our Event Code of Conduct and agree to our Privacy Policy. As noted by our privacy policy, at this time, CLA retains the right to share your information (Name and email) with our business partners. We do not currently have an option to opt-out. By registering for the conference, your name and email will be shared with our conference sponsors and vendors.
Inclusions:
When purchasing a 1-day or 2-day registration, your ticket includes all of the following:
Parking;
Access to all regular sessions and exhibit hall;
Buffet Breakfast, Morning Snacks, Buffet Lunch, Afternoon Snacks, All-day Water, Coffee, Tea and Soft Drinks. Preliminary Food Menu Here.
Payments:
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or check as payment. If paying by check, please be advised that your registration will not be completed until payment is received. You will be notified via email when your check is received and your registration is processed.
If registering in advance, payment in full must be received by CLA 5 days in advance of the conference.
Walk-in registrations will be accepted with an additional processing fee. If registering at the door, payment in full is required.
We cannot provide refunds, but if you are unable to make it to the Conference, you can transfer your admission to someone else. Please contact the CLA office at least 2 days before the event at 860-346-2444 to make these arrangements.
Payments by check must be mailed to:
Connecticut Library Association
55 N Main Street Unit 49
Belchertown, MA 01007
Early-bird Registration: CLICK FOR RATES
Register by March 15, 2025 to get this rate.
Notes: Student, Unemployed and/or Retired do not have an early-bird rate as that price is already discounted. Speakers do not have an early-bird rate, but must register using their speaker link that will be provided in their contract emailed to them by February 15th. Institutional Members will be accommodated with registration only through their special link emailed to the Institutional Membership email we have on file- please take note that only the Director of the institution may make registrations for their staff using the institutional membership discount link.
*Speakers will have a different link for registration to get their discount. This will be emailed to you by February 15th.
*Institutional Members will have a separate registration link emailed to them, please do not register through this event.
Payments for Early Bird Registration must be received at the CLA office by 3/28/2025 to receive the discounted rate. If you are paying by check, the CLA office must receive your check by 3/28/2025. If we do not have payment, your registration will be cancelled, and you will need to re-register at the full rate. Thank you for your cooperation with this!
Standard Registration: CLICK FOR RATES
After March 15, 2025 the following rates apply for Member and Non-Member registration:
Note: Students, Unemployed, or Retired must be CLA members to register at the reduced rate. This rate requires a 2-hour volunteer commitment per day. This is non-negotiable.
*Students, Unemployed, or Retired must be CLA members to register at the reduced rate. This rate requires a 2-hour volunteer commitment per day. This is non-negotiable.
Other Registrations:
Exhibit Hall-Only Passes are available to purchase at the door for $25 each day. These only allow access to the Exhibit hall during non-exclusive times.
Walk-In Registration is available at the cost of the standard rate plus a processing fee of $10. Walk-In Registration is only available for 1-day options.
Add-Ons:
Join your colleagues for some pre-conference and after-hours fun!
Pre-Conference Legislative Workshop: Ready, Set, Advocate! : $25 TICKET COST
Presented by: Keith Fiels, Self-Employed; Ellen Paul, Connecticut Library Consortium; Alice Knapp, Ferguson Library; & Maureen Sullivan, Maureen Sullivan Associates
Successful advocacy involves everyone. This workshop will help you become a powerful advocate for your library and for libraries in Connecticut. You can make a critical contribution to advancing your library and your community through easy-to-learn and use tools - creating your library's message, developing a powerful story, and making an action plan. *Cost of attendance includes light refreshments.
Sponsored by: CLA Legislative Committee
President's Reception: FREE
Meet and Greet with CLA President, Scott Jarzombek and CLA President-Elect, Erin Dummeyer. Mingle with colleagues and join in on fun games.
*This is a free event that includes soft drinks and small snacks. Cash Bar available.
After-Hours Event Fundraiser: Closet Runway: $25 TICKET COST
Sponsored and Hosted by: CLA Development Committee and Conference Committee
Are you a crafter? A maker? A fashion aficionado? Do you jump at the opportunity to create Library displays or design craft and maker projects? Or, perhaps you would enjoy watching and cheering on others as they create tomorrow’s fashion before your eyes. Teams of Library folk compete to create the best outfit out of materials found in the closets and cabinets of a Children’s Library. Can you elevate the felt? Empower the pom-poms? Glorify the glitter? This fundraiser challenges you to have fun flexing your creative muscles and enjoy some friendly team competition.
*Cost of attendance includes a drink ticket, light refreshments, an upgrade ticket and the option to either be part of a team or a spectator.
After-Hours Event: Stitch 'N Bitch + Craft Supply Swap: FREE
Sponsored and Hosted by: Conference Committee
Are you staying overnight on Monday and into textile arts? Join us for a chill time and work on your current project. Knitters, crocheters, and all needlepoint enthusiasts are welcome! Not a stitcher? Join in for a craft swap! *This is a free event.
Help us be more sustainable
CLA has pledged to be more environmentally conscious and sustainable at this year's conference. As such, we will once again NOT be providing lanyards and encourage you to reuse a lanyard of your own for your badge clip (we will have alternative clips for your badges at registration check-in if you choose not to bring your own) and we encourage attendees to use our conference website to access our conference program before and during the event. You may choose to print your own copy of the conference program or use our conference website (mobile-friendly version will be enabled). However, those that would like to purchase a conference program during your online registration will have the option to do so for $2. Those that want a printed program and have not paid during this registration will be able to do so in the Exhibits hall from the Exhibit Chairs and Development tables for $3. Before registering please consider taking our Sustainability Pledge in conjunction with ALA's sustainability roundtable. Click here to take the pledge.
Not a CLA member yet?
Don't miss out on all the great benefits, in addition to qualifying for the discounted conference rates. Click here to join CLA
Directions & Parking
The Mystic Marriott is located at 625 N Rd, Groton, CT 06340. A map and more detailed directions are available on their online map. All CLA Conference attendees can park for free in the hotel parking lot!
Special Hotel Conference Room Rate:
Rooms at the Mystic Marriott are offered at a special group rate of $179/night – (state and local taxes may apply). Reservations can be made at this discounted rate until Monday, March 31, 2025 or until our block is full (whichever happens first). After that date the rate will no longer be available. Use the Hotel Reservation Link or call (860) 446-2600 and ask for the CLA Conference rate.
P.E.G. (Proficiency Enhancement Grants)
Need help paying for the conference? PEG provides funding to help members of the Connecticut Library Association improve their knowledge and skills. PEG funds some expenses for continuing education programs, workshops, seminars, courses, institutes, and other activities. For more information about applying, contact P.E.G. Committee Chairperson, Mary Etter at mjletter93@gmail.com.
Special Accommodations
The Connecticut Library Association seeks to provide reasonable accommodations by request for physical access, communications, or other needs to ensure that services, activities, and programs are available to individuals with disabilities. Accommodation requests may include, but are not limited to, sign language interpretation, assistive listening devices, or written material in alternative format. The Americans with Disabilities Act does not require the Connecticut Library Association to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden. However, CLA will have adaptive technology available to borrow through our partnership with Oak Hill. This year, CLA has also opted to offer Color Communication Badges at request. For more information on Color Communication Badges please refer to this guide created by the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN). You may indicate during registration your request for one of these badges, for more information on how CLA has adopted this, view this document.
If you have a request for accommodation, please submit information at least 21 days in advance of the conference to Marilynn Lewicki, ADA Committee Chair, at marilynnlewicki@gmail.com. Include a description of the accommodations you are requesting, and describe any equipment you are requesting to be provided.
We look forward to seeing you at the conference!
