2024 United for Libraries Virtual - Full Conference
Dates: July 30-August 1, 2024
This interactive three-day virtual event will feature expert speakers on current topics facing library Trustees, Friends, Foundations, and staff who work with them. Programming runs from 11:00 am Eastern to approximately 4:00 pm Eastern daily with scheduled breaks. Attend live and/or watch recorded sessions on-demand.
- Participate in live Q&A sessions with presenters.
- Network with colleagues across the country.
- Enjoy exclusive access to the keynote speaker and authors.
- View on-demand sessions for one year after the live event.
- Receive a certificate of attendance (for live participation or on-demand viewing).
Affordable registration rates include lives attendance and on-demand access.
Individual Full Conference Registration
- Each registration is for one person to attend live and access on-demand.
- Group viewing is not permitted with the purchase of individual registration.
Other Registration Options
Individual Single Day or Multiple Day Registration
- Trustee/Board Member Day - Tuesday, July 30, 2024
- Foundations/Fundraising Day - Wednesday, July 31, 2024
- Friends Day - Thursday, August 1, 2024
Group Viewing Single Day or Multiple Day Registration
Save with Member Discounts, Early Bird, and Multiple Seat Options
Member Discounts
- United for Libraries personal members save 35% off the list price.
- ALA personal members save 10% off the list price.
Multiple Seats
- Purchase 3-6 seats - save an extra 30%
- Purchase 7-12 seats - save an extra 35%
- Purchase 13+ seats - save an extra 40% off
Early Bird
- Save an extra $15 off per seat on Individual Full Conference registration through July 17, 2024.
- Discount applies on top off member discount and multiple seat purchase discount.
Conference Programs and Sessions
Keynote - Eric Klinenberg
As public libraries face issues like funding cuts to challenges to books, materials, and programs, how can library boards, Friends, and Foundations best support and advocate for their libraries? In his book Palaces for the People, Eric Klinenberg details how the future of democratic societies rests not simply on shared values, but on shared spaces – one of the most important ones being libraries.
In this session, he will discuss how to leverage these shared values and spaces for public support in the current political environment, and how to move forward following the challenges that COVID brought (detailed in his new book, 2020: One City, Seven People, and the Year that Changed Everything). Many library Foundation directors, library directors, and board presidents give copies of Palaces for the People to their board members and community stakeholders – find out how this book can help garner library support.
Eric Klinenberg is the Helen Gould Shepard Professor in the Social Sciences and director of the Institute for Public Knowledge at New York University. He is the coauthor of the #1 New York Times bestseller Modern Romance and author of Palaces for the People, Going Solo, Heat Wave, and Fighting for Air. He has contributed to The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, Wired, and This American Life. He lives in New York City.
Book Buzzes
Microlearning
Educational Sessions
Scroll down to the bottom of this page for session descriptions and speakers.
Trustee Day - Tuesday, July 30, 2024- Advocacy: The Importance of Leveraging Your Community
- Preparing for Troubling Times: Tips for Trustees
- Rising to the Challenge: The Trustee's Role in the "Culture Wars"
- Securing Tomorrow: Effective Succession Strategies for Library Boards
- Valuing Your Library: Beyond Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Donor Engagement: Acquiring and Inspiring Committed and Faithful Supporters
- Enhancing the Story - Developing a Smaller-Scale Capital Projects Fundraising Campaign
- Fundraising Tips and Tricks: Some Novel Ideas
- Marketing is the Future: How to Build a more Sustainable Library Foundation Model by Integrating Marketing in the Organizational Culture, Strategy, and Practice
- An Extravaganza of Literary Events for Your Library
- Championing Library Freedom: How Friends Groups Can Fight Back When Our Library is Under Attack
- Libraries are Better with Friends: How to Foster a Strong Group of Advocates
- Smooth Sailing with Library Trustees and Staff
How to Purchase Individual Full Conference Registration
United for Libraries Personal Member
- Click the "Register" button above or below.
- Click "Login" in the upper right corner. Enter the login associated with your membership.
- United for Libraries personal member pricing. Eligible discounts included in these prices:
- Early Bird (May 30-July 17): $81.85
- Regular Registration (On/After July 18): $96.85
- Enter the sign up code you receive on the dashboard in the Sign Up Code box.
- If you experience any problems registering, please email united@ala.org for assistance.
ALA Personal Member
- Click the "Register" button above or below.
- Click "Login" in the upper right corner. Enter the login associated with your ALA membership.
- ALA member pricing. Eligible discounts included in these prices:
- Early Bird (May 30-July 17): $119.10
- Regular Registration (On/After July 18): $134.10
- Enter the sign up code you receive on the dashboard in the Sign Up Code box.
- If you experience any problems registering, please email united@ala.org for assistance.
Statewide FREE Registration Partners - MA, MI, NE, OR, VA
- Your state has purchased statewide registration making both live attendance and on-demand access FREE to all library directors/staff, Trustees/board members, Friends, and Foundations regardless of library type.
- Already enrolled in your statewide access course? Go the landing page of your statewide course and click the link for 2024 United for Libraries Virtual.
- Not enrolled in your statewide access course? Complete the alternate registration form.
- If you experience any problems registering, please email united@ala.org for assistance.
Statewide All Access Discounted Registration Partners - MD, ND, SC, SD
- Eligible discounts included in these prices:
- Early Bird (May 30-July 17): $81.85
- Regular Registration (On/After July 18): $96.85
- Register, request coupon, or request invoice:
- If you are already registered in you state's training course, go to your dashboard and locate the coupon code on the landing page of your state training course. Enter that coupon code at checkout to receive the 35% off list price discount.
- To request an invoice, submit the 2024 United for Libraries Virtual Invoice Request Form.
- If you experience any problems registering, please email united@ala.org for assistance
Statewide Training Discounted Registration Partners - CO, MO, MS, NV
- Eligible discounts included in these prices:
- Early Bird (May 30-July 17): $119.10
- Regular Registration (On/After July 18): $134.10
- Register, request coupon, or request invoice:
- If you are already registered in you state's training course, go to your dashboard and locate the coupon code on the landing page of your state training course. Enter that coupon code at checkout to receive the 20% off list price discount.
- To request an invoice, submit the 2024 United for Libraries Virtual Invoice Request Form.
- If you experience any problems registering, please email united@ala.org for assistance.
Non-Member
- Click the "Register" button above or below.
- Click "Login" in the upper right corner. If needed, create a free login.
- Non-member pricing. Eligible discounts included in these prices:
- Early Bird (May 30-July 17): $134.00
- Regular Registration (On/After July 18): $149.00
- Enter the sign up code you receive on the dashboard in the Sign Up Code box.
- If you experience any problems registering, please email united@ala.org for assistance.
If you experience any problems registering, please email united@ala.org for assistance.
Educational Session Descriptions
Trustee / Board Member Day - Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Securing Tomorrow: Effective Succession Strategies for Library Boards
Learn key components of strategic succession planning for all types of boards (library Trustees, Friends, and Foundation), including identifying future leaders and ensuring continuity of governance and core board activities. Participants will gain insights from best practices and real-world examples, enhancing their ability to smoothly navigate leadership changes and maintain organizational stability. Whether you're a current board member or a library professional, this webinar will equip you with the skills to secure your library's future.
Rising to the Challenge: The Trustee's Role in the "Culture Wars"
Libraries have become a flashpoint in the so-called "culture wars," facing an increasing backlash targeting everything from books and displays, programs and presenters, institutions, and even staff members themselves. Commentary has escalated to include misinformation, hate speech, and violent threats. Trustees can have a significant impact--positive or negative--in how their libraries weather these challenges, and how supported library staff feel throughout. Learn about the scope of the challenges libraries are facing, what it's like to be a front-line worker from one of the marginalized groups under fire, and how Trustees can work to proactively support their libraries, counter misinformation, and stand firm against the backlash.
Valuing Your Library: Beyond Cost-Benefit Analysis
Library value calculators are novel ways to show the financial value of a library, but cost-benefit analysis is just one of many lenses through which library value can be viewed. This presentation will explore four areas in which public libraries add short- and long-term value: as institutions of learning, keepers of history, sustainable resources sharers, and community builders. Learn the quantifiable and qualitative benefits of each of these areas so that you can be a strong advocate for the full value of your library.
Preparing for Troubling Times: Tips for Trustees
Is your library board prepared for challenges to library materials, resources, or programs? A panel of library directors and Trustees will discuss what directors and board members need to know about intellectual freedom, including applicable laws and library policies, who to contact for support, and how to work together to build relationships and advocate for the library. Attendees will learn about training resources from ALA, United for Libraries, and other organizations, and find out how Trustees and directors have worked together to successfully navigate challenges.
Advocacy: The Importance of Leveraging Your Community
How can we work better together to advocate for libraries? Join the FReadom Fighters to share insights on the impacts of building an informal advocacy community. Hear about their experience advocating with legislators, and learn how to create your own informal support network, work together to increase impact, and build a community that can sustain us during difficult advocacy work.
Foundations / Fundraising Day - Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Enhancing the Story - Developing a Smaller-Scale Capital Projects Fundraising Campaign
Join Johnson County Public Library (JCPL) Director Lisa Lintner to learn about the library's fundraising campaign, "Enhancing the Story," that raised over $300,000 for special projects at JCPL's newly constructed branch that opened in 2022. The campaign was designed to raise private donations to enhance intentionally designed spaces with state-of-the-art technology and features, as well as to construct an exterior space promoting art, health and nature. With the "Enhancing the Story Campaign," residents learned of six special project areas that needed additional fundraising to become a reality: public art, a Robotics Learning Lab, a teen gaming center, an early childhood learning area, an Adult Learning Center and a nature trail and community garden.
Marketing is the Future: How to Build a more Sustainable Library Foundation Model by Integrating Marketing in the Organizational Culture, Strategy, and Practice
Often marketing for libraries and library foundations is a footnote to a strategy, limited to designing an appeal, copywriting, or posting on social media. What if we flip the script and make marketing an integral piece of the strategy? This presentation will share the Chicago Public Library Foundation’s marketing journey and the transformative results in awareness building, lead generation, and donor conversion – that you can use and customize for your organization too!
Fundraising Tips and Tricks: Some Novel Ideas
Whether you're new to fundraising or have an established program, join Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation staff for an overview of tips and tricks that will maximize your success. Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation has a 30 year fundraising history, and its Director of Development has almost 20 years of fundraising experience in a variety of industries. In the past few years, the Foundation has tripled its donor base and almost doubled its average annual amount raised. Learn which efforts have the biggest ROI based upon library surveys, experience, and proven success. You'll leave with a road map to success that you can manage no matter your team's size.
Donor Engagement: Acquiring and Inspiring Committed and Faithful Supporters
How can you lead your donors and members to increase their donations and stay committed to the library? Learn basic principles of donor-centered fundraising that can increase financial participation and library support. Proven techniques and practical examples of thanking, communicating, and celebrating library supporters will be shared.
Friends of the Library Day - Thursday, August 1, 2024
Libraries are Better with Friends: How to Foster a Strong Group of Advocates
Everyone benefits from having a highly aligned partnership among library staff, the library board, and the Friends. From building relationships to resolving conflicts of interests to defining roles, this presentation will provide a practical checklist for fostering a strong and supportive Friends of the Library group.
Smooth Sailing With Library Trustees and Staff
Friends and Foundation boards occasionally have to navigate rough waters with library Trustees and staff. Undefined roles, differing goals, poor communication, and strong personalities are among the common reasons for disagreement and misunderstanding. Learn about common Friends/library issues, and ways you can navigate into calmer seas with best practices and real-life examples.
Championing Library Freedom: How Friends Groups Can Fight Back When Our Library is Under Attack
Friends of the Huntington Beach Public Library have dealt with book banning, a parental review board, and privatization threats. The Friends will discuss what they have learned, what to do before the trouble starts, what works, what doesn’t, and what they wish we had known sooner.
An Extravaganza of Literary Events for Your Library
Learn tips for Friends and Foundations looking to organize successful author events to meet library and community needs, whether a single/solo author speaking event, a panel of authors, a one-day multi-author festival, or a multi-author weekend festival. Find out how author events can raise much-needed funds, or provide value to the library community. Attendees will also learn best practices for successful and engaging marketing and public relations for these events.