FAQs and A–Z Information Guide

Accessibility Services

ALA supports and encourages a welcoming environment for all. View the Accessibility Services page for more details. Services may be arranged by emailing [email protected]. For assistance with the registration system, please call Event Citadel at 866-513-0760 or email [email protected]. Housing is available once you have registered. If you have housing issues, please call onPeak at 800-584-9047 or email [email protected], Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm CST.  Location: F1 Lobby, near Registration.

Airline Discounts

Learn more about airline discounts on the Explore Chicago page.

ALA's 150th Anniversary

Since 1876, the American Library Association has championed access to information, defended free speech, & upheld the power of libraries to transform lives & strengthen democracy. In 2026, we mark 150 years of standing up for libraries—and everything they make possible. This milestone isn’t just about looking back. It’s about rallying together to protect what matters now, and to imagine the libraries we’ll need for the next 150 years. Not an ALA Member, Join ALA to reflect, connect, and act.

ALA Acronyms

Explore the ALA Acronymns.

ALA Connect Lounge

Stop by the ALA Connect Lounge to get the latest news and resources from across the association. Location: F1 Lobby.

ALA Staff Office

Location: W470.

ALA Store

Award-winning products can be found at the ALA Store along with products that meet a wide range of promotional and continuing education/professional development needs. Location: F1 Lobby. More details to come.

Appointments on the Mobile App

This year, the Mobile App includes a new way to schedule personal appointments in your Scheduler. Please navigate to the “Attendees” list and select the attendee with whom you’d like to schedule an appointment. Once you have a chat established, a calendar icon will pop up in the top right corner of the Chat, allowing you to schedule your personal appointment with that attendee. At this point, due to system upgrades, the feature is only available through the app, not through the Scheduler.

*Attendees must have profile sharing enabled to schedule an appointment with another attendee.

ASL

ASL services at the ALA Annual Conference may be arranged by emailing [email protected]. For more details, view the Accessibility Services.

Bag/Coat Check

Coat and Luggage Check will be available Monday, June 29, from 7:30 am-5:30 pm. This service is located on Level One of the West Building adjacent to the shuttles at gates 43 and 44.

Coats: $5.00
Luggage: $6.00

Credit cards will be necessary to pay the fees; cash is not accepted.

Captioning

Captioning services at the ALA Annual Conference may be arranged by emailing [email protected]. View the Accessibility Services page for more details.

Chicago

Discover Choose Chicago.

Children/Minors

Children younger than five years of age must be under control at all times (stroller, pack, etc.). Strollers are permitted on the exhibit floor, but only if there is a child in them at all times. Unescorted children are not permitted on the exhibit floor. Children five years old and over must have an Exhibits Only badge to be admitted to the exhibit floor. An adult must accompany all children under the age of 16.

ALA will reimburse the charges expended on childcare to any fully registered parent for each day of the Annual Conference up to a predetermined amount. You must provide a receipt for childcare. This covers only childcare in the parent’s hotel room or other residence in the meeting city (Chicago) and does not include charges for children’s food, transportation, gratuities, or for the sitter. ALA will not reimburse childcare expenses to attendees who live within the Chicago area that would be paid to the regular provider whether the parent was attending the Annual Conference or not. Parents may contact their hotel childcare center/babysitting service where it is available or find one online. Please note that all reimbursements will be mailed out to the attendee post-conference.

Forms must be filled out and turned into the ALA Office at McCormick Place prior to the close of the conference to be eligible for reimbursement. 

Code of Conduct

Please review ALA's Statement of Appropriate Code of Conduct. All registrants are expected to abide by the Code of Conduct. 

Community of Care and Community of Care Quiet Room

In support of the Code of Conduct, ALA has implemented a Community of Care at the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition. Our goal is to enhance a sense of community and safety by providing resources that offer support to conference attendees. A Community of Care Quiet Room will be available for attendees seeking a calm, welcoming space to rest and recharge during the conference. Located in W474. Learn more about Community of Care and the Statement of Appropriate Conduct. 

Council Sessions

Location: W375B

Customer Connect Lounge

Location: F2 Hall

Disclaimer

The ALA Annual Conference serves as an open forum. Opinions expressed and/or materials distributed by program participants do not necessarily reflect, or imply advocacy or endorsement by, the American Library Association, its officers, or members.

The statements and opinions contained in the exhibitor descriptions in the Annual Conference Exhibits Guide are solely those of the individual exhibitors and not of the American Library Association. The appearance of advertisements in the Annual Conference Website, Mobile App and Exhibits Guide are not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of the effectiveness or quality. To the extent permissible under applicable laws, no responsibility is assumed by the ALA for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a result of any actual or alleged libelous statements, infringement of intellectual property or privacy rights, or products liability, whether resulting from the negligence or otherwise, or from any use of operation, ideas, instructions, procedures, products, or methods contained in the material therein.

Exhibitor List

See the exhibitors and showmap at the ALA 2026 Annual Conference & Exhibition.

Family Care Room

A comfortable, private space for feeding, changing, or caring for infants and young children. Location: W473/ Mamava Station on Level 1.

FedEx Office 

The FedEx office will be located in the West Building.

Hours of operation are:

• Friday, June 26: 8:30AM – 5:00PM
• Saturday, June 27: 8:30AM – 5:00PM
• Sunday, June 28: 8:30AM – 5:00PM
• Monday, June 29: 8:30AM – 5:00PM
• Tuesday, June 30: 8:30AM – 5:00PM

First Aid

First Aid is available during all show hours. Location: Level 1 near Gate 44.

First Timer Tips

💡 Pro Tips for a Smooth Conference:
•    Always wear your badge in the Convention Center.
•    Pack smart: comfortable shoes, a refillable water bottle, and a cardigan or wrap (conference rooms can be chilly!)
•    Visit the Library Marketplace – meet your favorite authors, connect with industry experts, and get inspired.
•    Grab food at concessions or check out the restaurants at the convention center or the Hyatt Regency food court
•    Use the Conference Scheduler and Mobile App to stay up to date on schedule changes, shuttle service, maps, and much more.

Food Options

• Food Court - Level 2 of the McCormick Place West Building
• Showroom Food Hall - Marriott Marquis
• Overlook Café - Center of the Exhibit Hall
• Additional food options - Regency McCormick Place 

Gender Inclusive Restrooms

Gender inclusive restrooms are available on each level of the convention center. Locations include:

• Family by 175A
• Family by 177
• Family by 181A
• Family by 183C
• Men's by 185D
• Family by 190B
• Family by 196C
• Men's by W375C
• Family in back of Hall F1
• Family in back of Hall F2
• Family by 470
• Family by 476

Ground Transportation Airport/Train Station

Getting Around Chicago | Transit & Parking | Choose Chicago

Group Discounts

If you would like to register a group, ALA offers a Register 5 People and Get 1 Free Registration option. To register your group, begin by signing in with the first registrant, then click the "Add Another" button on the Review Information page to add each subsequent registrant. Once you have completed registration for everyone in your group, click "Finish" on the Review page. Note: You will need to enter a unique email address for each person in your group.  Also, when registering the group of six, the free registration will be reflected on the Payment page. The total cost for all five registrants can be paid via credit card, purchase order, or check. If paying by check, please include the check number in the 'Purchase Order Number' box.

Guest Registrations

ALA does not offer a guest registration package. Guests must purchase the registration that corresponds to their participation needs. Review all registration options here.

Hotels

Explore the ALA 2026 Annual Conference Hotels.

Housing Cancellation

Contact onPeak at (800) 584-9047 or by email at [email protected] for any hotel inquiries. The onsite housing desk is located in the registration area in McCormick Place Hall F1A.

NEW - Independent Authors/Publishers Pavilion

The Indie Authors Pavilion is a new exhibit option for “Indie” authors – designed to give independent or self-published authors an opportunity to gain visibility for their publications.  The Indie Authors pavilion will be in the new “Creator-verse” area of the exhibits – highlighting the work of content creators across all genres and content platforms. Space is limited to one author per table and limited to the purchase of one exhibit space. This area is strictly for self-published authors with 10 published titles or less. Apply here.

Authors approached by any organization promising marketing/advertising opportunities for their books should perform proper due diligence in researching these organizations.  Many groups claim to be ALA exhibitors and/or make false statements regarding ALA’s interest in your book or commitments to buy your book.  ALA does not buy books for libraries or endorse any books for purchase, and all applications from organizations that apply for exhibit space are reviewed for an appropriate fit in the ALA exhibition.  If you have any questions regarding an offer reach out to the exhibits office at [email protected]. - Located at the end of the 2100/2300 aisles.

International Resources

Learn more about activities and resources for International registrants.

Invited (KeyNote) Speakers

Invited keynote speakers are nominated by and supported by their publishers. The nomination process occurs in October of the previous year. See the ALA Annual 2026 Featured Speakers.

Key Dates

• Mid February - Registration and Housing Open
• Late April - Full Conference Scheduler Live (with login to create personalized agenda available)
• Early June - Mobile App Available

Letter of Attendance

A Letter of Attendance will be available on your registration dashboard, which can be accessed through your confirmation. An email containing your letter of attendance will be sent after the conference if your badge was picked up. You can also visit the Letter of Attendance counter located in registration to print a copy of the letter.

Location

McCormick Place West Building
2310 E. Cermak Road
Chicago. IL 60616

Headquarter Hotel
Marriott Marquis Chicago
2121 S. Prairie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616

Explore ALA Annual hotels and addresses.

Location Activities

Chicago Things to Do, Events, Restaurants, Hotels & Vacation Planning

Lost and Found

Lost and found items should be taken to/claimed at the Conference Services Desk in the ALA Staff Office located at McCormick Place. Location: W470

Lost Badges

If you lose your registration badge, immediately visit the Registation counter in McCormick Place Hall F1A.

Main Stage Speakers

Invited speakers are nominated by, and their participation is supported by, their publishers. The nomination process occurs in October of the previous year.  See the ALA Annual 2026 Featured Speakers. Location: W375CDE

Maps

• Hotels Location Map | 2026 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition

Marketplace

Library Marketplace - Location: McCormick Place West Building Hall F

Friday, June 26: 5:30pm - 7:00pm 
Saturday, June 27: 9:00am - 5:00pm 
Sunday, June 28: 9:00am - 5:00pm 
Monday, June 29: 9:00am - 12:00pm (Noon)

Membership

Join ALA to save on conferences. Learn more at ALA Membership. 

Mobile App

The ALA Annual Conference Mobile App is now available!

Note: To schedule a personal appointment in your scheduler, please navigate to the “Attendees” list and select the attendee with whom you’d like to schedule an appointment. Once you have a chat established, a calendar icon will pop up in the top right corner of the Chat, allowing you to schedule your personal appointment with that attendee. At this point, due to system upgrades, the feature is only available through the app, not through the website.

*Attendees must have profile sharing enabled to schedule an appointment with another attendee.

Mobility Assistance

ALA supports and encourages a welcoming environment for all. View the Accessibility Services page for more details. Services may be arranged by emailing [email protected].

Onsite Registration

Onsite registration is available at the Registration counters in McCormick Place Hall F1A.

Opt In / Opt Out

ALA does not sell your information to third parties. During the registration process, you will have the option not to be included on a registrant list that is shared with event exhibitors. Note: if you did not opt out in the past, your personal information may be on previous event lists or from other industry events.

Parking

Explore Parking Rates & Options - McCormick Place.

Payment

Accepted forms of payment are American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Check and Purchase Order. If paying by check or Purchase Order, click "Check" or "Purchase Order" and enter the number.

Please send check payments to:
ALA Registration Department
c/o Event Citadel
2601 Navistar Dr.
Lisle, IL 60532

Make checks payable to:
American Library Association

Personalized Agenda

Create your ALA Conference experience using the Conference Scheduler to build your personalized event agenda. Your registration details are required to log in to the Scheduler. 

Photography/Videography Policy

Attendance at this event constitutes permission for your photograph or video to be taken at the event and used for ALA purposes. 

Placement Center (JobLIST)

Events and activities held in the ALA JobLIST Placement & Career Development Center are designed to help job seekers retool their skills, prepare for job searches, and connect with employers and others. They are intended for people at every stage of their careers--not just new graduates. Employers are encouraged to interact with job seekers at every level.

Registration is not required for job seekers. Learn more about the ALA JobLIST Placement Center. Location: W196ABC.

Post Office

Package and ship all of the complimentary ARCs, galleys, and other giveaways you have collected in the Library Marketplace. The full-service Post Office is located in the Library Marketplace, Booth 3352.

Poster Sessions

A key professional development and engagement opportunity at the ALA Annual Conference, Poster Sessions include six categories of posters highlighting innovative library programs, research on emergent issues, and strategic initiatives. Attend at any point during the 90-minute sessions to view the posters and discuss them with the presenters. For more details, visit Poster Session Day | 2026 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition. Location: W375E north prefunction.

Presenter Resources

Explore Presenter Resources | 2026 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition.

Press

Press interested in registering for Annual Conference press credentials are encouraged to review the ALA Media Credential Policy.

Upon completing and submitting your registration for approval, please submit a letter of assignment on company letterhead and email to [email protected].

View the ALA 2026 Annual Conference & Exhibition Press Kit.

Recordings

The ALA Annual Conference is an in-person only event. Sessions will not be recorded.

Registration Confirmation/Edits

If you need to make an edit or add to your registration, please visit the dashboard found in your confirmation email. If you need additional assistance or cannot locate your confirmation, please email [email protected].

Registration Cancellation

Registration cancellations must be sent to [email protected] by May 31, 2026. A $50 handling fee will be charged for each canceled registration; refunds are not available for cancellations made after May 31, 2026. Refunds will be processed after the event.

Registration Location and Hours

Registration - McCormick Place West Building Hall F1A

Thursday, June 25: 2:00pm - 5:00pm 
Friday, June 26: 7:30am - 7:00pm 
Saturday, June 27: 7:30am - 5:00pm 
Sunday, June 28: 7:30am - 5:00pm 
Monday, June 29: 7:30am - 12:30pm 

Registration Options/Rates

Registration Rates | 2026 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition

Safety and Security

ALA Conference name badges must be worn at all conference functions. For everyone's safety, all bags are subject to search. Security personnel are stationed throughout the building, or you may visit the Security Office located in the McCormick Place. Location: W472.

Scams

ALA contracted hotels will not reach out to you regarding a booking deal. They will not have your contact information unless you already have a reservation at that property. All guest reservation communications should be through our official housing partner, onPeak. 

Please disregard all solicitations from third-party suppliers offering directory listings or event attendee lists. They are not affiliated with the American Library Association, the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition or Hall-Erickson, Inc. If you are approached by a questionable supplier, please contact [email protected].

See the Independent Authors/Publishers listing to learn more about participation options if you are not affiliated with an exhibiting publisher.

Schedule at a Glance

View our Schedule-at-a-Glance | 2026 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition.

Scheduler

Create your ALA Conference experience using the Conference Scheduler to build your personalized event agenda. Your registration details are required to log in to the Scheduler. 

Scholarships

When registering, attendees have the option to support the registration of a fellow attendee in financial need. ALA scholarship availability is based on when and how many additional registrations are purchased by attendees.

If you are in financial need, please complete this scholarship application form to be considered for financial assistance as funding becomes available.

Scooters

ALA supports and encourages a welcoming environment for all. View the Accessibility Services page for more details. Mobility scooter rentals are available free of charge with advance notice. Scooter reservations are made when registering. For more information, please contact [email protected].

Security Office

Location: W472

Self-published Authors

Authors approached by any organization promising marketing/advertising opportunities for their books should perform proper due diligence in researching these organizations.  Many groups claim to be ALA exhibitors and /or make false statements regarding ALA’s interest in your book or commitments to buy your book.  ALA does not buy books for libraries or endorse any books for purchase, and all applications from organizations that apply for exhibit space are reviewed for an appropriate fit in the ALA exhibition.  If you have any questions regarding an offer reach out to the exhibits office at [email protected].

Shuttles

Learn more about Kushner Shuttles. Location: Gates 43 and 44.

Social Channels

Follow us on our social media for all the conference updates.

• ALA BlueSky
• ALA Facebook
• ALA Instagram
• ALA LinkedIn
• ALA TikTok

#ALAAC26

Sponsorship

Extend visibility beyond the confines of an exhibit booth. There is a range of opportunities available that help generate leads and booth traffic and promote brand awareness. Learn more about promotional opportunities.

Sustainability

Learn more about the Sustainability.

Target Audience

Librarians, authors, publishers, business professionals, educators and students—anyone who is passionate about books and libraries and is eager to learn and shape the future of the industry should participate in the ALA Annual Conference.

Ticketed Events

Various ALA groups arrange activities to enhance ALA Conference participation. Activities that have participation limits and/or require additional fees may require a ticket in addition to a conference registration. See ALA Annual 2026 Ticketed Events.

Tours

See available tours on the Explore Chicago page.

Virtual

The ALA Annual Conference is an in-person only event. Sessions will not be recorded. ALA offers opportunities to participate in various activities in a variety of formats throughout the calendar year. Visit the ALA Calendar of Events to learn more about all ALA activities.

Wheeled Devices

Strollers and scooters are permitted on the exhibit floor as long as they are in use at all times. Wheeled carts, however, are not permitted at any time. If you have a medical condition that requires you to use a cart, please bring a doctor's note to the Accessibility booth in the registration area.

WI-FI

Complimentary Wi-Fi for browsing only will be available throughout McCormick Place. Please do not expect the bandwidth to support downloading files, video conferencing, etc. To log in, the SSID is ALA150. A password is not necessary.