Join us for our Special Events
Pre-Conference: Sunday, April 30th
President's Reception
Mystic Ballroom @ 7:00-9:00 PM
Meet & Greet and Really Loud Librarians!
Meet and Greet with CLA President, Doug Lord and CLA President-Elect, Sarah McCusker. Mingle with colleagues and join in a fun game of Really Loud Librarians. Includes small snacks and a cash bar.
This is a free event, but we do ask that you indicate your attendance during your conference registration.
Keynote Speaker: Monday, May 1st
Mystic Ballroom @ 9:10 AM
Michael Crumpton: Leading Change for the Next Generation of Librarians and Their Users
Technology, public health concerns, wars, economic unrest; all create changes to our society and how libraries keep an informed citizenry. Now more than ever, libraries must provide and demonstrate the leadership needed for their communities and venues of learning. Service expectations and needs have broadened librarianship and how we are perceived by end users. This presentation will address the challenges that we as a profession face as we maneuver through mental health issues, financial justifications, career burnout and social anxieties, with an offer of suggestions and perceptions that will fortify leadership ideals and motivational integrity.
Lunch Podcast: Monday, May 1st & Tuesday, May 2nd
Mystic Ballroom
The Library Pros Podcasters: Chris DeCristofaro and Robert Johnson
The Library Pros podcast recording live at the CLA Conference!
Do you listen to podcasts and thought it would be fun to be a guest? Here is your chance. Chris and Bob, two library podcasters from across the Sound, will be recording live from your CLA Annual Conference! The fellas episode will focus on mental wellbeing in the profession, how we can better adapt and how can technology associated with our profession both help and hurt our mental wellbeing? The podcast will be recording during lunch on both days of the conference so come join the discussion! All of the discussions will be released as a podcast episode, so come share the awesomeness that is Connecticut libraries!
Haven't heard of this podcast? Take a look here: https://www.thelibrarypros.com/
After-Hours Event: Monday, May 1st
Cocktails & WhatTrivia
Marriott Ballroom @ 5:00-6:15 PM
WhatTrivia?
Fun trivia with music, prizes, cocktails, special bonus round and more! Teams of 2-8 and single players welcome, registration done individually. Ticket includes 1 drink of your choice. Extra drinks available from the cash bar.
This is an add-on ticket you may purchase during your conference registration for a cost of $15. You may also purchase this ticket at the conference.
Keynote Speaker: Tuesday, May 2nd
Mystic Ballroom @ 9:30 AM
John Chrastka: The Advocate's Playbook
Advocacy and Activism are interrelated but are not the same. In order to succeed in either an advocacy effort or an activism campaign, it is critically important for library leaders to understand the differences in the techniques you should use and the messages you should share. As we face ongoing budget problems and other challenges at all levels of government, a new kind of approach to both advocacy and activism is key in building support among the elected officials who control your finances and participate in your contracts. That starts with understanding the theories behind both advocacy and activism. Together, we will explore strategies and tactics used by some of the best community organizers, political action committees, and politicians to effect change and build power. We will emphasize the resources and skills that Librarians and Library staff need to develop if they want to have the political and community support needed to increase funding. From building coalitions to activating activists, attendees will come away with practical and actionable insights to help you in either type of effort.
John Chrastka is EveryLibrary's founder and is a longtime library trustee, supporter, and advocate. He is a former partner in AssociaDirect, a Chicago-based consultancy focused on supporting associations in membership recruitment, conference, and governance activities. He is a former president and member of the Board of Trustees for the Berwyn (Illinois) Public Library (2006–2015) and is a former president of the Reaching Across Illinois Libraries System (RAILS) multi-type library system. Prior to his work at AssociaDirect, he was director for membership development at the American Library Association. He is a member of the ALA as well as the Illinois Library Association and the American Political Sciences Association. He was named a 2014 Mover & Shaker by Library Journal.
Connecticut Library Association Annual Meeting: Tuesday, May 2nd
Mystic Ballroom @ 9:15 AM
Join us for our membership meeting and find out all about what CLA has accomplished this year and what CLA can do for you.
Members we ask that you attend this meeting.
Nonmembers we welcome you to join us and learn more about CLA. We then implore you to head to the membership table in the Exhibit hall and become a member!
Awards Ceremony: Tuesday, May 2nd
Mystic Ballroom @ 8:15 AM
Join us in celebrating our library colleagues as we give out the CLA Awards and Scholarships.
This event is free for attendees and is being sponsored by EBSCO Information Services.