October 6th - 7th, 2026

Oasis Hotel & Convention Center

2546 North Glenstone

Springfield, MO 65803

Join your fellow librarians and library workers from across the state of Missouri (and beyond!) as we celebrate how libraries keep people connected.

Explore fresh ideas for strengthening ties with your community, building meaningful connections with colleagues, and deepening the impact of your work. Come ready to share, learn and reconnect with the power of libraries to bring people together.  

Registration Information

Early Bird Registration Rate -- Ends August 15, 2026

• Full Conference Member $245
  
• Full Conference Non-Member $375
  
• One Day Member $200
  
• One Day Non-Member $325
  
• Full Conference Student $195
  
• Full Conference Retiree/Trustee/Friend $205
  

 Regular Registration Rates -- Beginning August 16,  2026

• Full Conference Member $285

•  Full Conference Non- Member $415

• One-Day Member $230

• One-Day Non-Member $360

• Full Conference Student $210

• Full Conference Retiree/Trustee/Friend $245

• Single Session Guest Presenter* $50

  Conference At A Glance

  See events and included meals by clicking each link below.

  Tuesday, October 6

  
  

  Wednesday, October 7

  
  

  Don't  miss keynote speaker Kate Klise!

  Pre-Conference Events on Tuesday, October 6

  
  

  Registration includes:

  General Conference Sessions

  
  

  
  

  * 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 the Missouri Library Association and mailed to PO Box 684, Jefferson City, MO 65102

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

Tuesday, October 6

 Connecting Communities to Their History 

9-12 at the Oasis Convention Center 

Explore how libraries are preserving local history, expanding access to historical records, and supporting genealogy research. Through case studies and practical examples, learn about projects, partnerships, and resources that connect communities to their stories. 

Presented by: Brent Trout (St. Louis County), John Egel (Webster Groves Public Library), Katie Smith (Mid-Continent Public Library) 

Introduction to Intellectual Freedom 

9-12 at the Oasis Convention Center 

Libraries need staff 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. 

Beyond our exciting opening and closing keynote events and the all-conference awards gala, MLA is offering an additional special event. 

PEER Bohley Trivia Night

Bohley Scholarship Trivia Night returns–and participation is now FREE! Come Tuesday night to join in on the fun, and to raise money for the Bohley Scholarship. Bring a team of up to eight, join a squad at the door, or just hang out and kibitz! We'll have raffle baskets, side games, and trivia aplenty, all in service of a great cause!

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Cost: $0, Registration is required

Hotel Information

The 2026 MLA Conference is being held in Springfield, Missouri, at the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, 2546 North Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65803.

The Missouri Library Association has negotiated a special conference rate of $129 per night at the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center. For room reservations, CLICK 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 12th. After that time, only hardship requests for refunds will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Submit cancellation requests to MLAc2c@molib.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