General Information
Table of Contents
Meeting Location
The 2010 Midwinter Meeting will take place on January 15-19, 2010 in the
Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (not the Hynes Convention Center)
located at 415 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts
and several hotels in downtown Boston.
Free Connections
The BCEC offers end to end Wi-Fi capability so you can stay in touch wherever you go. Just fire up your laptop, open your wireless network connection, and click on "BCEC wireless network," and you are ready to go. And best of all, it's free!
Information at the Convention Center
For directions to places inside the BCEC, stop by the Public Safety/Information desk located on the east side of the North Lobby and on Level Zero, or speak to one of the "Red Coats"-Guest Service Ambassadors located near each building entrance and elsewhere throughout the building.
Visit the BCEC Transportation Desk located on the west side of the North Lobby. Here you can purchase passes and find transportation information, including subway maps, bus routes, and taxi arrangements.
Remember the BCEC is the largest convention center in the entire Northeast but it it no more than an 8 minute walk to any location in the center.
Tips for Funding
Find out ways to find funding to attend the ALA Annual Conference and Midwinter Meeting.
Child Care
ALA will reimburse the charges expended on childcare in the amount of $25 per day, per child, to a maximum of $50 per day, per family to any fully registered parent for each day of the Midwinter Meeting week, January 15-19 , 2010. This covers only childcare in the parent's hotel room or other residence in the conference city and does not include charges for children's food and transportation or gratuities and transportation for the sitter. ALA will not reimburse childcare expenses to attendees who live within the Meeting area that would be paid to the regular provider whether the parent was attending the Midwinter Meeting or not. Parents may contact their hotel childcare center/babysitting service where it is available or select one from the phone book. Reimbursement forms will be available at the ALA Registration Desk and must be signed by the individual performing the childcare services and presented by the parent to the Registration Desk Manager by Monday, January 18, 2010.
Please note: Strollers are permitted on the Exhibit Floor, but children must remain seated in them at all times. Unescorted children are not permitted on the Exhibit Floor. See the Children's Policy for more information.
New Mother's Room
ALA New Mother's Room at Midwinter will be located in the Show Office, Hall B1 East, in the North East Lobby.
Children's Policy
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 under the age of five must be restrained at all times (stroller, backpack, etc.) Any child over the age of five must have an Exhibits Only badge to be admitted to the exhibit floor. These badges are available at onsite registration for $25. An adult must accompany all children under the age of 16.
Placement Services
Provided by the ALA Office of Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR), the Placement Center will be available during the Midwinter Meeting, to assist job seekers and employers, as well as provide career assistance.
Job seekers should register and search for jobs on the JobLIST website at http://www.joblist.ala.org. All services are free to job seekers. Registration is not required, but is recommended. Registration will give employers who choose the Placement Service subscription access to your resume information. It will also allow for direct communication between job seekers and employers.
Employers who want to post positions should post them on the JobLIST website at http://www.joblist.ala.org/. Employers who want to use the interviewing facilities must have an active ad placed on JobLIST at the time you schedule an interview. Employers who want a booth in the Placement Center should complete the space reservation form, or contact Beatrice Calvin at 800-545-2433, ext 4280.
Policy 54.3 states, "ALA is committed to equality of opportunity for all library employees or applicants for employment, regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, physical or mental handicap, individual lifestyle, or national origin." By advertising through ALA services, the organization agrees to comply with this policy. All available salary ranges shall be listed. For more information, contact Placement Service Manager, Beatrice Calvin at bcalvin@ala.org or 800-545-2433, ext. 4280.
No Smoking Policy
By Council Action at its 1991 Atlanta Annual Conference, it was resolved "that smoking is prohibited at Annual Conferences, Midwinter Meetings, regional/national conferences, continuing education programs, exhibits and other gatherings sponsored by the ALA."
Midwinter Meeting Policy
The Midwinter Meeting is convened for the primary purpose of expediting the business of the Association through sessions of its governing and administrative delegates serving on board, committees and Council. Programs designed for the continuing education and development of the fields of library service shall be reserved for Annual Conference except by the specific authorization of the Executive Board acting under the provisions of the ALA Constitution. Hearings seeking membership reactions and provisions for observers and petitioners at meetings of Council, committees and boards are to be publicized; programs of orientation or leadership development to Association business are encouraged; assemblies of groups of individuals for information sharing vital to the development of Association business shall be accepted as appropriate to the purposes of the Midwinter Meeting. By Council action it was voted that all meetings of the Association are open to al members and to recognized members of the press. Closed meetings may only be held to discuss matters affecting privacy of individuals or institutions. Unit chairs may contact their staff liaison officer when unable to determine whether an open or closed meeting is appropriate.
Media Badge Policy
Check back for more information on the Media Badge Policy and 2010 Midwinter Meeting Press Kit.
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
50 E. Huron, Chicago, IL 60611 Call Us Toll Free 1-800-545-2433
©2010 American Library Association
For questions or comments about the Conference Web Site email kwilliams@ala.org