October 4 - 6, 2023

Holiday Inn Executive Center

2200 I-70 Drive SW, Columbia, MO 65203

Registration Information

Early Bird Registration Rate -- ends August 18, 2023

• Full Conference Member $120
• Full Conference Non-Member $250
• One Day Member $75
• One Day Non-Member $205
• Full Conference Student $50
• Full Conference Retiree/Trustee/Friend $85 

 Regular Registration Rates -- August 19, 2023 - September 19, 2023

• Full Conference Member $160
•  Full Conference Non- Member $290
• One-Day Member $105
• One-Day Non-Member $235
• Full Conference Student $85
• Full Conference Retiree/Trustee/Friend $120
• One-Day Trade Show $85
• Single Session Guest Presenter $20 *  

* Single Session Guest Presenters must supply a code. Please contact your Conference Coordinators at conference@molib.org to request one. Thank you!

Registration may be paid by check or credit card via an online link.  Checks are to be made payable to Missouri Library Association and mailed to 1190 Meramec Station Road, Suite 207, Ballwin, MO 63021.

Pre-Conferences

MLA is offering six pre-conferences! All pre-conferences will take place on Wednesday, October 4th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. These pre-conferences are free to attend but registration is required.

Engaging with the News Media

This presentation is designed especially with leaders of non-profit organizations in mind and includes Brent Ghan’s 10 Commandments for Media Relations along with strategies for communicating your messages through the news media.

Presented by: Brent Ghan, former Deputy Director of the Missouri School Board Association

Creating Community Connections Through Local History & Genealogy

During this pre-conference session, attendees will discover methods, resources, and practical skills that support local history and genealogy initiatives.

Presented by: The Local History and Genealogy Community of Interest, Konrad Stump (GLHCI Chair, Organizer), Seth Smith of Daniel Boone Regional Library, Haley Frizzle-Green of SHSMO-Springfield Research Center, Patsy Luebbert of the Center for Missouri Studies, Kathleen Seale of the Rolla and Springfield Research Centers, and Christina Matekel-Gibson of the Joplin Public Library

Intellectual Freedom Workshop

Libraries need staff in all departments and on all levels who are conversant in intellectual freedom. This three-hour workshop is designed to give attendees a broad overview of Intellectual Freedom as the basis of library services and increase their comfort level when interacting with their community.

Presented by MLA IFC:  Colleen Norman, Mid-Continent Public Library & Joe Kohlburn, Jefferson College Library

Renovating for the Missing Patron

How can you renovate library space to meet the hidden needs of your community? The most important patron of your library may be one who is not a current patron. How do you identify these patrons, assess their needs, and design space for them? Join NYU professor and author of "Library Space Planning: A PLA Guide"(ALA, 2019) for a rich discussion of planning for a renovation or new construction.

Presented by: David Vinjamuri, Associate Professor (adj.) of New York University

Moments of Zen

As service providers, we are exposed to a variety of daily stressors. What do you do when you are stressed out at work? You can’t get a spa treatment or do yoga between the stacks. In this session, we will explore simple and quick self-care strategies to help get you through the workday.

Presented by: Ricqui Brooks, Adult Literacy Coordinator of St. Louis County Library

Performer's Showcase

Looking for a great storyteller, musician or magician to work magic at one of your programs? Look no further than the Youth Services' Community of Interest organized "Performer's Showcase" featuring live 10 minute demos from performers who cater to a library audience with quality programming appropriate for children, teens, and/or families at a reasonable cost to the host libraries!

Special Events

Beyond our exciting opening and closing keynote events and the all-conference awards gala, MLA is offering four additional special events. Tickets are available for purchase via the conference registration form.  

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

PEER Bohley Trivia Night

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Ticketed event $20

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Thusnelda Schmidt Luncheon

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Ticketed event $30

MACRL Luncheon

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Ticketed event $30

Friday, October 6, 2023

"Programming Over Pancakes" Breakfast

9:00 - 10:30 AM

Ticketed event $30

Enjoy a pancake breakfast while hearing from librarians from across the state, and share some of your favorite adult programming ideas, during this special event.

Hotel Information

MLA has reserved a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Executive Center-Columbia, 2200 Interstate 70 Dr SW, Columbia, MO 65203. 

Reserve your room online using this MLA Hotel Reservation Link

The black bar at the top of the hotel registration page defaults to all potential nights of the conference.  Before you select your room, please click on the dates to select the exact check in and check out dates for your stay!

You may also book with the hotel directly at 573-445-8531 (press 1 for reservations). The group code is MLA

All rooms MUST be booked before Tuesday, September 5, 2023.  After this date, the group room block is released to the general public, and you will no longer have access to the special group rate.

Policies and Notes

Conference event dates/times are subject to change. Please refer to the conference schedule for the most up-to-date information.

Cancellation policy: Refund requests must be submitted in writing before September 1. After that time, only hardship requests for refunds will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Submit cancellation requests to mla@amigos.org. 

Conference Photography: Conference volunteers will be taking photos and/or videos during the conference that may be used in MLA social media postings or other MLA print or online publications. Your attendance at the conference grants permission for these images to be used. Those wishing not to be photographed or recorded should inform the photographer.

Code of Conduct: The Missouri Library Association (MLA) hosts professional events and communication outlets to enable its members to receive continuing education, build professional networks, and discover new products and services for professional use. To provide all participants the opportunity to benefit from MLA events, the Missouri Library Association is committed to providing a safe and harassment-free environment for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, ethnicity, religion, or other group identity. 

The Missouri Library Association follows the American Library Association’s Statement of Appropriate Conduct regarding harassment or other inappropriate behaviors. If any MLA member ever feels uncomfortable or harassed, or if they witness any violations of these policies, they should reach out to an MLA event planner, an MLA Board member as designated by name badge, or to conference security, if applicable. Individuals may also email conference@molib.org. All reports will be directed to the MLA Board for further action. Anyone working in a college or university setting may also be required to contact their Title IX officer.

If you have questions, please contact:  conference@molib.org