[LM_NET] Gen: tips for finding funds to attend conferences

[Beth Yoke <byoke@ALA.ORG>]

ALA’s 2007 Annual Conference is June 21-27 in Washington, DC and we hope to see you 
there!  YALSA has planned over 30 great events and programs.  Listed below are some 
tips for getting some financial assistance from your library or school to help 
cover the cost of attending the conference.  

1. Find out if your library or school has professional development or travel funds 
that you may be eligible for. Learn how the funds are dispensed (e.g. first come 
first serve, via application process, etc.).  Be sure to meet deadlines and fill 
out all paperwork completely.

2. Do some research to find out which organizations offer professional development 
scholarships that may help defray your conference costs.  Be sure to check with 
your state or regional library association.  Sometimes other organizations may also 
be willing to support your professional development, such as the PTA or PTO.  YALSA 
has a conference grant and the deadline to apply is Dec. 1 each year.  Go to 
www.ala.org/yalsa and click on Awards & Grants to learn more. 

3. Make a case to your supervisor as to how you, your library and your patrons will 
benefit from your attendance.  Here are some points to cover:
·       Discuss the opportunity you will have to visit the exhibit floor and see 
the latest print & AV materials and newest emerging technologies.  Knowledge of 
these resources enhances your ability to serve library patrons.  
·       Identify which conference programs will help you meet your professional 
development goals at work and/or help further the library's mission.  To find out 
what programs are being offered, check the March issue of American Libraries for a 
list of preliminary programs.  YALSA lists its complete slate of events and 
programs at www.ala.org/yalsa (you may need to scroll down).  You can also check 
the Annual Conference Wiki at http://wikis.ala.org/annual2007.  The final list of 
all ALA programs will be available in May at www.ala.org/annual.  
·       Offer to share what you learned at the conference with your coworkers via a 
presentation at a staff meeting or other means when you return.
·       Point out the fact that most exhibitors offer special discounts for 
conference goers.  Also, many exhibitors steeply discount or even give away books 
on the last day the exhibit hall is open (Tues).  This is a way to enhance your 
collection on a tight budget.

4. Think about ways you can limit expenses. 
·       Register for the conference as early as you can to get the best rate.  For 
the Annual conference the best rates are always in December and early January when 
registration first opens.  For 2007 Early Bird registration ends March 2 and 
Advance Registration ends May 18.  
·       Become an ALA member to get discounted rates.  
·       Reduce hotel costs by sharing a room, or explore inexpensive options such 
as housing on university campuses.
·       Seek out airfare sales, or car pool, if practical.

5. Plan ahead.  If it’s too late to get funding to attend the 2007 Annual 
Conference, mark your calendar for Jan. 11-16, 2008 for the Midwinter Meeting in 
Philadelphia and the 2008 Annual Conference June 26 - July 2 in Anaheim.

If you have any questions about YALSA at the ALA conference, please don't hesitate 
to contact us at 1.800.545.2433 x4390 or yalsa@ala.org.  If you have general 
questions about the conference, such as registration, please contact 800-545-2433 
(press 5) or customerservice@ala.org.  
-Beth 



Beth Yoke, Executive Director 
Young Adult Library Services Association, 
fastest growing division of the American Library Association
50 E. Huron St. 
Chicago, IL 60611 
1 (800) 545-2433 x4391
byoke@ala.org 
www.ala.org/yalsa
Celebrate Teen Tech Week!
www.ala.org/teentechweek
March 4-10, 2007

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