Conference events will take place at various locations around the U-M campus. An agenda will be posted as it develops in the new year.

Friday, May 30 (various locations)

All registrations and purchases must be received by May 2, 2025.

All advertisers and exhibitors will also receive the opportunity to connect directly with attendees by providing an item to be added to the conference swag bags! Exhibitors at the tech fair will have the option to give a product demonstration during the event.

Exhibit Tables

If you would like to register to attend any sessions or the banquet, you must also fill out a Non-member registration form. All purchases and registrations must be received by May 2, 2025.

All registrations and purchases must be received by May 2, 2025.

Sponsors will also receive the opportunity to connect directly with attendees by providing an item or promo to be added to the conference swag bags! Exhibitors at the tech fair will have the option to give a product demonstration during the event.

Diamond: $4,000

If you would like to register to attend any sessions or the banquet, you must also fill out a Non-member registration form. For sponsorships that include a registration, please complete a registration form - one for each attendee.

The U-M campus is spread out over multiple campuses. Conference events will be held at various locations on both North and Central campuses (a little under 2 miles separate the two). Room blocks are being held at the below hotels which are located on Central Campus and have the best access to many walkable options for dining, are located near the opening reception and banquet locations, and access to the free university bus system that connects the campuses. 

Graduate Ann Arbor
$255/night + tax
615 East Huron Street

Bell Tower Hotel
$229/night + tax
300 South Thayer Street

From Detroit Metro Airport (DTW): Lyft or Uber is a great option ($40-50 + tip).

Michigan Flyer is another good and inexpensive option. Note that Michigan Flyer drops you off in downtown Ann Arbor at the Blake Transit Center, and you will then need to take a Lyft/Uber or walk to your hotel (about 0.5 miles to Central Campus hotels).

Amtrak and Greyhound Bus Lines share a terminal located at 325 Depot Street in Ann Arbor. Megabus has a stop at 900 Briarwood Circle on the south side of town and offers inexpensive routes to Chicago and Detroit. Both of these would require a Lyft or Uber to your final destination.

TRAVEL ASSISTANCE
**Application Deadline: February 1, 2025**
Eligibility Requirements: Member librarians who were not awarded Travel Assistance funding in the previous year are eligible to apply. Member librarians are expected to seek funding from their organization first, before applying for any needed additional assistance from MOLA.

Travel Assistance is intended to assist member librarians with basic economy transportation costs only (not additional add-ons), as well as up to 2 nights in a conference designated hotel - not with food, fees, or miscellaneous expenses. Stays in non-designated hotels, hostels, or vacation rentals will not be reimbursed. This is important for meeting minimum room requirements laid out in MOLA's arrangements with the conference designated hotel(s). In the event that conference designated hotel room allotments are fully booked, other options of equivalent cost may be considered.

 

As guidelines in the decision-making process, the committee will consider factors such as the applicant's personal or professional circumstances, degree of hardship, and history of past Travel Assistance awards. Except in unusual circumstances, no applicant whall be granted funding in two consecutive years.

 

After the submission deadline of February 1 has passed, all Travel Assistance applications will be reviewed at once by the Finance Committee and awards will be submitted to the Board for final approval. Applicants will be notified by February 15, 2025.

 

Recipients must submit receipts for expenses incurred to MOLA within 45 days of your purchase for reimbursement. This allows our organization to act in accordance with IRS rules. Any receipts received after that date cannot be reimbursed. 

FIRST-TIME ATTENDEE AWARDS
**Applications reviewed as they are submitted**
The purpose of the first-time conference attendee award is to encourage conference participation by MOLA members who have never attended a MOLA conference. Recipients will be awarded an amount to cover the conference registration fee for the 2024 Cleveland conference. Recipients will be required to participate in the Conference Mentoring Program and may be asked to write about their experience or a session they attended for a forthcoming issue of Marcato. Applications will be reviewed and, if granted, funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the allotted funds are exhausted. Applicants will be notified as soon as possible by the MOLA Administrator as awards are granted—please refrain from making conference registration payment until you have been notified of the outcome of your application review. Applications will be reviewed by the Membership Committee and submitted to the Board for final approval. Whether you are granted an award or not, you may find this first-timers conference guide helpful in preparing to attend!