Welcome to the 2024 WAPL Conference
May 1 - 3, 2024 | Holiday Inn Stevens Point - Convention Center

Online registration for this event is now closed.

REGISTER

Schedule Subject to change.

Registration

Online Registration is now closed.

Need a paper copy? Click here for a downloadable registration form.

Full Conference (May 1 - 3)

Full conference registration includes breakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday and a Thursday afternoon break.

Trustees/Library Friends/Retirees must be WLA members. Nonmember Trustees/Library Friends/Retirees should register at the nonmember rate.
Non-industry guests are spouses, family members, and other guests who attend conference functions. You do not need to register guests who will not be attending conference functions.
Students are defined as full-time students enrolled in a library science/services program. Students may be asked to show proof of enrollment.
Registration is required to attend any conference function.

REGISTER NOW

	WLA Member	Trustee/Library Friend/Retiree (Must be WLA Member)	Nonmember	Student	Non-Industry Guest
Early Bird (through March 29 Extended to April 3)	$305	$255	$465	$185	$225
Standard (through April 12)	$325	$275	$485	$205	$245
Onsite*	$345	$295	$505	$225	$265

* PLEASE NOTE: We will only be able to accommodate a very limited number of registrations on-site.

Single Day - Thursday, May 2

	WLA Member	Trustee/Library Friend/Retiree (Must be WLA Member)	Nonmember	Student	Non-Industry Guest
Early Bird (through March 29 Extended through April 3)	$215	$165	$345	$135	$155
Standard (through April 12)	$235	$185	$365	$155	$175
Onsite*	$255	$205	$385	$175	$195

*PLEASE NOTE: We will only be able to accommodate a very limited number of registrations on-site.

Single Day - Friday, May 3

	WLA Member	Trustee/Library Friend/Retiree (Must be WLA Member)	Nonmember	Student	Non-Industry Guest
Early Bird (through March 29 Extended through April 3)	$195	$145	$325	$120	$135
Standard (through April 12)	$215	$165	$345	$140	$155
Onsite*	$235	$185	$365	$160	$175

*PLEASE NOTE: We will only be able to accommodate a very limited number of registrations on-site.

Early bird rate applies through March 29, 2024. Early bird rates extended through April 3 at midnight. Standard rates apply from April 4 - April 12.
Registration after April 12, 2024, must be done onsite at the conference. Onsite registration rates apply.
Refunds for canceled conference registrations will be provided, less a $25 cancellation fee, for all requests received no later than Friday, April 12, 2024. No refunds after April 12, 2024.
Registration is required to attend any conference function.

Make the Case to Attend

Download a sample email message to send to your supervisor.

Lodging

The conference hotel is the Stevens Point Holiday Inn Convention Center, 1001 Amber Ave, Stevens Point, WI 54482.

The conference room rate is $104.99 for a standard room. This rate is available through April 11, 2024, or until the block is full - whichever comes first.

To make a room reservation at the Stevens Point Holiday Inn:

Click here to make your room reservation online; or
Call (715) 344-0200 and press #1.

When making reservations, we ask that you please reference the group name WI LIBRARY ASSN and the Group Block Code: WLA.

Keynote Speakers

Opening Keynote: A Conversation with Author Jennifer Chiaverini

Join Madison’s own internationally bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini for a conversation and Q&A about her beloved Elm Creek Quilts series and her acclaimed historical novels, including several with Wisconsin ties.

She will discuss her lifelong love of libraries and how they figure in her fiction, including her latest release, THE MUSEUM OF LOST QUILTS—a new Elm Creek Quilts novel available just in time for the 25th anniversary of the series.

Speaker Biography

Thursday Luncheon Keynote: Bridging the Gaps: Connecting LGBTQ+ Identity and Story with Jenny Kalvaitis and Kristen Whitson

For generations, LGBTQ+ people have had to search for their own histories on the shelves. Libraries can serve as the bridges to span those historical gaps.

We Will Always Be Here: A Guide to Exploring and Understanding the History of LGBTQ+ Activism in Wisconsin tells the little-known stories of dozens of individuals who have empowered others to make positive changes in the state of Wisconsin and beyond.

Whitson headshot Co-authors Jenny Kalvaitis and Kristen Whitson will share the stories behind the book, the power of connection, and the importance of activism in everyday life.

About the Speakers

**Friday Closing Keynote: The Power of Community, Conservation, and Crime Fiction with Author Jeff Nania**

Jeff Nania fell in love with his public library the moment a librarian put a copy of Rascal into his hands when he was a boy. An avid reader and library patron his whole life, Jeff continues his support for libraries as an author and has shared his Northern Lakes Mystery series at dozens of library events across the state. Drawing upon careers in law enforcement and natural resources, his award-winning books captivate readers and keep them wondering who is on the right side of the law. Throughout his life, Jeff has taken the path less traveled, and these adventures have provided fodder for his engaging crime fiction while grounding his storytelling in the things he holds dear: family, community, and natural resources.

About the Speaker

Events

Pre-Conference Workshop - Preservation First: Book Protection & Repair Workshop

Wednesday, May 1 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 pm
$55 for WLA Members/$75 for Nonmembers

Facilitated by Kary Barth of Book Kare with Kary, this 3-hour workshop is designed to demonstrate quick and easy techniques for extending shelf life on general circulating materials. Prevention is the key, but we will address specific, common repairs. Limited to 25 participants. Must have 25 registered participants by April 15 to hold the workshop.

Registration for this event is separate from the WAPL conference. Workshop attendees do not need to register for the WAPL conference. Learn more.

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Opening Reception

Wednesday, May 1 | 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Expo Rooms 1 and 2
$25.00 per person

Catch up with your colleagues, make new friends, and create new connections in a relaxed setting. Dinner buffet will be served. Cash bar available. Pre-registration is required.

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At the Movies with Librarians: The Power of Word and Sound
Thursday, May 2 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Expo Rooms 3A, 3 B and 4

The panel will be discussing books being made into movies slated for release in 2024. After enjoying exciting trailers, panelists will analyze how well (or poorly) these books may translate to the screen.

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Tour of the Food + Farm Exploration Center
3400 Innovation Drive, Plover, WI 5446
Thursday, May 2 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Join us for a special tour of the Food + Farm Exploration Center - a place for connecting with food and those who grow it. Come and see the incredible technology and sustainable practices used in modern production agriculture. Learn about where your food comes from and how it gets to your table by interacting with over 60 exhibits. Visit Food + Farm Exploration Center | Hands-on Agriculture Exploration Center (explorefoodandfarm.org) to learn more.

This event will require pre-registration and is limited to 50 participants. $6.00 per attendee.

Bus transportation sponsored by Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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All Conference Social Hosted by WISL
Thursday, May 2 | 7:30 pm- 9:00 pm
Woodland/Trillium rooms

Unwind after a long day of learning! Join your friends and colleagues to put together a puzzle, play cards, or just talk shop! This event is hosted by the Wisconsin Small Libraries (WISL) section of WLA. All registered conference attendees are welcome.

Sponsors

Learn about our sponsorship opportunities. Click here.

Gold Sponsor