2025 United for Libraries Virtual - Full Conference

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logo showing open books with stars rising from the book, and the words United for Libraries Virtual 2025

Dates: July 29-31, 2025


This interactive three-day virtual event will feature expert speakers on current topics facing library Trustees, Friends, Foundations, and staff who work with them.

  • Participate in live Q&A sessions with presenters.
  • Network with colleagues across the country.
  • Enjoy microlearning sessions, Book Buzz videos featuring forthcoming titles, the keynote, and Virtual Gala Author Tea.
  • 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 live attendance and on-demand access. Download a pricing chart and FAQ for full details on all registration options.


Individual Full Conference Registration
This course listing is for individual full conference registration and includes live and/or on-demand access to three days of programming. 
  • 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
Visit the link(s) below to purchase individual registration for one or more single days.
Group Viewing Single Day or Multiple Day Registration
Group Viewing is available for single or multiple day registration and is only available by invoice request. Full details, including pricing and discounts, are available on the Group Viewing Invoice Request Form.


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

This course listing is for full conference registration and includes the programs listed below. To purchase a single day, please visit the above link(s).
 
Keynote
Join on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, 4:30 pm Eastern for the keynote with Austin Channing Brown, an author and speaker providing inspired leadership on racial justice in America. She is the New York Times bestselling author of I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness, a Reese’s Book Club pick. Her work has been featured by outlets such as On Being, Chicago Tribune, and WNYC. Her new book, Full of Myself, releases in August 2025.

Book Buzzes
Learn about forthcoming titles from United's publishing partners, including great book club selections.
 
Microlearning
Each day will feature one or more microlearning sessions (15-20 minutes). More details coming soon.
 
Educational Sessions
Scroll down to the bottom of this page for program descriptions.

Trustee Day - Tuesday, July 29, 2025
  • Get Familiar with Freedom of Information Laws
  • Meetings That Matter: Driving Results, Not Just Discussions
  • Public Official Basics for Trustees: Introduction to Public Administration and Public Finance
  • Top 10 Things Library Board Members Should Know - But Often Don't
  • Why Is It Always a Battle?: Concerns of Public Library Trustees in the United States
Foundation/Fundraising Day - Wednesday, July 30, 2025
  • Library Storytelling: How to Find Memorable Library Stories to Use for Marketing and Promotion
  • Let Your Impact Ring! Sharing Your Library’s Successes so Funders Will Listen
  • Overcoming the Barriers to Library Fundraising Success
  • Strengthening Library and Foundation Relationships: The Role of the Memorandum of Understanding and Relationship Committee
Friends Day - Thursday, July 31, 2025
  • Friends for Everyone: Inclusivity and Accessibility Best Practices
  • Get Strategic: Creating a Strategic Plan for Your Friends Group
  • Gnomes Need Homes: A Different Type of Silent Auction!
  • Lessons from a New Board President
  • Library Funding 101: Understanding How Things Get Paid
  • More to be announced soon!

 

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 (March 31-July 11): $81.85
    • Regular Registration (On/After July 12): $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 (March 31-July 11): $119.10
    • Regular Registration (On/After July 12): $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 - MI, NE, OR, SC, 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 2025 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 - MA, MD, MN, ND
  • Eligible discounts included in these prices:
    • Early Bird (March 31-July 11): $81.85
    • Regular Registration (On/After July 12): $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 2025 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, IL, NV
  • Eligible discounts included in these prices:
    • Early Bird (March 31-July 11): $119.10
    • Regular Registration (On/After July 12): $134.10
  • Register, request coupon, or request invoice:
    • If you are already registered in your 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 2025 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 (March 31-July 11): $134.00
    • Regular Registration (On/After July 12): $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.

Program Descriptions


Trustee / Board Member Day: Tuesday, July 29, 2025


Meetings That Matter: Driving Results, Not Just Discussions
Maryam Phillips, Executive Director for Hosting Solutions and Library Consulting (HSLC)

Tired of board meetings that go off track? Are your meetings too short? Too long? This session will show you how to run focused, efficient board meetings that drive action and produce results. Learn how to prepare for, organize, and run board meetings that keep your trustees engaged and your library moving forward.

Why Is It Always a Battle?: Concerns of Public Library Trustees in the United States
Shannon Crawford Barniskis, MLIS, PhD, Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky School of Information Science

Do you, as a trustee or someone working with them, sometimes struggle with decision-making or with board conflict? Are some discussions always a battle? Do you find yourself wondering what values your fellow trustees are relying on as they vote, or is it hard to find good new board members? This hands-on program will share such experiences of trustees nationally and capture YOUR experiences, allowing you to collaborate to find locally effective solutions.

Top 10 Things Library Board Members Should Know - But Often Don't
Mary Beth Harrington, Trustee, Timberland Regional Library

Too often, board members think that their experience on one nonprofit board adequately prepares them to be on your library board, so they resist board training. Board members who do not sufficiently understand their role are more likely to venture into areas that are not their responsibility. Learn ten things that every board member should know, more importantly, how to get your board members more open to the idea of hosting a board training session.

Get Familiar with Freedom of Information Laws
Sarah Lamdan, Deputy Director, ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom

State and federal freedom of information laws (FOIA, FOIL, open meeting laws, and other state information access laws) are a valuable tool for gaining access to government information, but they also pose privacy concerns for trustees, library workers, and others who work with and for public institutions. Learn how freedom of information laws work, how you can use them to obtain information, and how to protect your privacy from freedom of information requests.

Public Official Basics for Trustees: Introduction to Public Administration and Public Finance
Clare Membiela, Library Law Consultant, Library of Michigan; Karren Reish, Library Grants Coordinator, Library of Michigan

The majority of public libraries in the U.S. are governmental entities, funded by public money and accountable to a myriad of local, state, and federal laws that regulate multiple aspects of a library’s operations, including funding, accounting, purchasing, governance, and accountability. However, most library trustees do not have experience in public administration or governmental accounting. This session will introduce the most important concepts of public administration and include resources to help trustees and library administrators on the path to success as public officials.


Foundations / Fundraising Day: Wednesday, July 30, 2025


Overcoming the Barriers to Library Fundraising Success
Chad Barger, Productive Fundraising

Fundraising is a challenge at almost all public libraries. This is especially true at small to medium-sized libraries and those located in rural settings. Join fundraising master trainer Chad Barger, ACFRE, ACNP, for a presentation focused on actionable solutions to common fundraising problems. Chad will reveal the most common barriers to effective fundraising at the libraries that he has served and provide tips for overcoming them. Attendees will also be given free access to document samples and templates, which will help to fast-track the implementation of these solutions. Ample time will be reserved for questions so that attendees can also pick Chad’s brain for solutions to their “not-so-common” library fundraising challenges.

Let Your Impact Ring! Sharing Your Library’s Successes so Funders Will Listen
Joyce Garczynski, Assistant University Librarian for Communication & Digital Scholarship; Tywanda L. Cuffy, Director of External Relations, Communications and Development Initiatives, University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press; Skip Dye, SVP, Library Sales and Digital Strategy, Penguin Random House; Karlene Noel Jennings, Regional Public Engagement Specialist (REPS), United States Department of State

Donors have a multitude of causes they can support, so how can your library resoundingly stand out to get the funding you need? Often, it’s your impact in your community that resonates. In this panel discussion, experienced fundraisers, library advocates, and supporters will discuss what impact is, why it matters to donors, and how libraries can communicate their impact in a meaningful way. Panelists from a variety of different library types will share how data and stories surrounding library activities, collections, and services can be used to make the case for government and donor funding.

Library Storytelling: How to Find Memorable Library Stories to Use for Marketing and Promotion
Angela Hursh, Manager of Engagement and Marketing, NoveList

You know the power of storytelling. After all, you work in a building where you are literally surrounded by some of the best stories in the world. So why is it so hard for libraries to tell their own stories? The quest for library stories that evoke emotion and have a compelling story arc for library advocacy is more difficult than it sounds... or is it? This session is packed with examples from real libraries (bring your Kleenex… some of these will certainly make you weepy!). You’ll learn how a good story becomes good marketing. You'll also leave with a list of practical tips to find stories your library can use for advocacy and building community support. This session includes a five-minute activity.

Strengthening Library and Foundation Relationships: The Role of the Memorandum of Understanding and Relationship Committee
Kari May, Library Director, Jackson County Library Services; Ginny Auer, Executive Director, Jackson County Library Foundation

The relationship between the Library Director and Foundation Executive Director plays a pivotal role in organizational growth and community impact. Attendees will leave with insights to strengthen the relationship between the Library Director and Foundation Director by using a Memorandum of Understanding and building trust from the Board Leadership through the use of a Relationship Committee. By fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual support, libraries and foundations can maximize their impact and drive sustainable growth in their communities.


Friends of the Library Day: Thursday, July 31, 2025


Get Strategic: Creating a Strategic Plan for Your Friends Group
Amanda Standerfer, Founder and Lead Consultant, Fast Forward Libraries

Every organization needs a road map that shares a common understanding of where the organization is heading. Often, it can feel overwhelming to engage in a strategic planning process to create that road map. This session will review a three-step process for creating a plan for Friends groups of all sizes. From engaging stakeholders in providing feedback to dreaming about the future to creating documents to manage plan implementation, we’ll talk about ways to design a strategic planning process that’s right for your group and how to ensure your plan is a living document that guides you down the road into the future.

Gnomes Need Homes: A Different Type of Silent Auction!
Sue Ann Miller, Ed. D., Friends of the Lakewood Ranch (LWR) Library

This presentation shares how to conduct a silent auction in the library to raise funds for a Friends organization. Learn how to involve library staff and community organizations. All materials and procedures for how to take bids and notify winners are included.

Lessons from a New Friends Board President
Mary Beth Cox, President, Friends of Chesterfield County Public Library

Learn key insights and lessons learned from a Friends Board President, including how to partner with the library system, how to have effective and efficient board meetings, the importance of asking for help, improving board recruitment and succession planning (have a playbook!), saying 'yes' to new ideas, showing appreciation, and more.

Friends for Everyone: Inclusivity and Accessibility Best Practices
Hillary Pearson, Accessibility Services Program Manager, ALA's Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS)

Friends are key library ambassadors to the community. Is your Friends group using inclusive and accessible practices in its materials, outreach, programming, and more? Learn basic accessibility information Friends of the Library need to know and how to ensure that those with disabilities can participate in Friends programs and access Friends materials. Find out tips and best practices for online and offline communications, programs, events, and more.

Library Funding 101: Understanding How Things Get Paid
Clare Membiela, Library Law Consultant, Library of Michigan; Lauren Trujillo, Executive Director, Santa Barbara Library Foundation

Whether city, county, or state funded, or an independent taxing authority, learning where library dollars come from and who and what gets paid is key for library trustees, staff, and the community. Learn all about library funding with public and private dollars and, more importantly, how trustees, Friends, and Foundations can talk about the library’s funding needs to constituents as a part of advocacy and funding requests.
 
If you experience any problems registering, please email united@ala.org for assistance.

 

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