September 25th - 27th, 2024
KCI Expo Center
11730 N. Ambassador Drive
Kansas City, MO 64153
Join your fellow librarians and library workers from across the state of Missouri (and beyond!) as we look to the future of libraries and gain inspiration for innovation! Attendees will learn and network together as we craft the future of Missouri libraries.
Registration Information
Early Bird Registration Rate -- Ends August 9th, 2024
- Full Conference Member $170
- Full Conference Non-Member $300
- One Day Member $125
- One Day Non-Member $255
- Full Conference Student $125
- Full Conference Retiree/Trustee/Friend $135
Regular Registration Rates -- Beginning August 10th, 2024
- Full Conference Member $210
- Full Conference Non- Member $340
- One-Day Member $155
- One-Day Non-Member $285
- Full Conference Student $135
- Full Conference Retiree/Trustee/Friend $170
- Single Session Guest Presenter $20 *
* Single Session Guest Presenters registration requires a code. Please contact your Conference Coordinators at conference@molib.org to request the code.
Registration may be paid by check or credit card. Checks are to be made payable to Missouri Library Association and mailed to 1190 Meramec Station Road, Suite 207, Ballwin, MO 63021.
Registration closes Wednesday, September 4th, 2024.
Pre-Conferences
MLA is offering two pre-conferences! All pre-conferences will take place on Wednesday, September 25th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. These pre-conferences are free to attend but registration is required.
Access Challenged? Intellectual Freedom Workshop
Libraries need staff who are conversant in intellectual freedom, in all departments and on all levels. 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.
Genealogy and Local History Community of Interest Pre-Conference "Beyond the Library: Innovative Approaches to Sharing Local History and Genealogy"
Get ready for an enriching Pre-conference experience with three dynamic sessions. "Grave Matters: Community Connections through Monument Clearing" sheds light on the Christian County Library's remarkable gravestone cleaning program, which has restored over 200 headstones, fostering community engagement and preserving local history. "Roots on a Budget: Crafting Successful Family History Programs" Cass County Library offers practical strategies for creating impactful genealogy initiatives without hefty financial investments. Lastly, "KCPL150: Celebrating a Milestone Anniversary" dives into the Kansas City Public Library's 150th anniversary festivities, exploring archival storytelling and reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of commemorating institutional milestones."
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! The Performer's Showcase is offered at no additional cost to conference attendees, but registration is required.
Special Events
Beyond our exciting opening and closing keynote events and the all-conference awards gala, MLA is offering four additional special events.
Wednesday, September 25th, 2024
PEER Bohley Trivia Night
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: $20
Thursday, September 26th, 2024
Thusnelda Schmidt Luncheon
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $30
MACRL Luncheon
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $30
Hotel Information
The Missouri Library Association has negotiated a special conference rate of $119 per night at the Holiday Inn Executive Center.
Book here!
Overflow accommodations are available at the Farifield Inn and Suites - Kansas City Airport at the same special conference rate of $119 per night. Overflow accommodations are 0.3 miles away from the KCI Expo Center.
Book here!
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: Cancellation and refund requests must be submitted in writing before September 1st. 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