FAQ's

ALA Virtual - Community Through Connection is an online event with educational programming, special author events, and social networking. We’re looking forward to this unique opportunity to stay connected as we move forward with our profession and support our communities.

We certainly hope that you can join us in this virtual space as we learn, grow—and most importantly—lean on our fellow librarians and library workers as we adapt and evolve in these changing times. 

Librarians, authors, publishers, business professionals, educators and students, anyone passionate about books, libraries, and eager to learn and shape the future of the industry.

ALA Virtual is open to all in the library field. You do not have to be an ALA Member to attend. However, one of the many benefits of being an ALA Member is the opportunity to save on conference registration. To learn more about membership, view www.ala.org/membership/joinala

To register a group, please contact CompuSystems by emailing [email protected]

Registration must be closed one week in advance of the event for accessibility formatting and registrant connectivity testing.

ALA Virtual sessions will occur in the U.S., Central Time Zone.

The  ALA Virtual event website will be available for viewing one year after the event.

Although the schedule is based in the U.S., Central time zone, attendees across the globe can attend the event. The structure of the event is built so that many of the sessions can be accessed in an on-demand format. Registrants will also have access to the event content for one year.

The recording-only option provides access to all content on the event website for one year after the event takes place. Selecting this option does not include the benefit of participating in any live scheduled events or discussions. There are no virtual event registration options that include the ability for attendees to directly download event content. 

Yes, the letter can be accessed through your dashboard from your registration confirmation. 

Lost registration information can be requested by emailing [email protected].

All registrants will receive an email one week prior to the event with access instructions.

Yes, there will be sessions designed for interaction with presenters and fellow attendees.

ALA will caption all sessions for the ALA Virtual event. For additional accessibility needs please contact [email protected].

Yes, you will find the Statement of Appropriate Conduct at ALA Conferences posted on our website.

Because the event 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.

1. I registered for the 2020 ALA Annual Conference, am I allowed a full refund? An email was sent to all registered attendees on April 1, 2020 regarding registration fund options. All ticketed event purchases have been refunded. All registration refund requests will be processed in July.
    
2. If I booked my hotel stay, is it automatically canceled or do I need to contact them? Hotel reservations booked via onPeak will be automatically canceled without penalty. Those who individually reserved their hotel rooms are responsible for the cancellation of their housing.  If you still plan to travel to Chicago over the original dates of the meeting, you will need to contact your hotel directly. Hotel rates will vary, as the ALA Annual rate is no longer valid.
    
3. How should I cancel my flights? Registrants are responsible for canceling their air flights. Note that not all airline companies offer the same refund/change policies. For assistance, view the regularly updated Master List of Major International Airline Coronavirus Change and Cancellation Policies, listed in Forbes Magazine.
    

Ask using the Contact Us form.

You can also:

• Track #alavirtual20 
• Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram