AJL Conference 2024: Conference Security, Meetings, and More

Association of Jewish Libraries

Conference 2024: Standing Together

Shalom, Safranim and Friends!

Welcome to your weekly conference update!

Each week, we highlight the people and sessions that make the upcoming AJL conference a can't-miss event. Previous weekly updates are available on the conference webpage.

In this update:

Conference security
Hotel availability
AJL meetings
Tour availability

Conference Info & Registration

Preliminary Conference Program

Conference Security

As we prepare for our upcoming in-person conference in San Diego, we have your safety in mind. In addition to the usual security provided by the hotel, AJL has contracted with ASC Protection, Inc., a highly recommended security company, to provide us with uniformed, armed guards who will be present throughout the conference from Sunday, June 23—Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

Please be aware that you may be asked to show the registration team a picture ID.

You will be expected to wear your credentials/badges at all times. Security personnel will not give anyone access to the meeting venues without proper identification.

Common sense security precautions still prevail:

Please take your personal belongings with you, and do not leave anything unattended.
If you see something, say something. It’s okay to say anything, at any time, about suspicious activity or out-of-place items.

If you have any questions about this, please contact conference@jewishlibraries.org .

Hotel Availability

As of May 1, all rooms at the special AJL conference rates of $234 and $254 per night at the Holiday Inn Bayside have been booked. After much discussion, the hotel has agreed to provide 10 additional Premium rooms at $269 per night. Once these rooms have been booked, the hotel will be sold out.

If you haven't yet made your hotel reservation for the conference, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible. If you are looking for a roommate for the conference, we suggest first making a reservation and then posting a message on Hasafran.

If you find yourself unable to book a room at the Holiday Inn Bayside, please contact us at conference@jewishlibraries.org so we can arrange additional rooms for AJL attendees at the nearby Hilton Hotel (2.5 miles/ 5–7 min drive from the conference hotel; a complimentary shuttle will be available.) We need to know how many rooms we will need in order to get the best rate.

Full booking instructions are available in the conference FAQs.

AJL Meetings

In addition to offering a variety of informative and educational programming, the AJL conference provides the opportunity to meet with your peers and honor those being presented with AJL awards. Meeting agendas will be posted in the conference app. Join us! (All times are Pacific Daylight Time.)

Monday, June 24

8:30–9:30 am

Newcomer's Welcome (and Breakfast)

Get the most out of your first conference and meet some new friends! Join Member Relations Chair and Past President Heidi Rabinowitz as she provides tips on the best ways to enjoy an AJL conference.

Tuesday, June 25

10:45–11:30 am

Schools, Synagogues, Centers, and Public Libraries (SSCPL) Division Meeting

Come see what SSCPL, led by President Rebecca Levitan, has been up to this year. As always, the highlights of the meeting will be the presentation of the Kar-Ben Publishing AJL Conference Scholarship and the Accreditation Awards. Join us to recognize our colleagues who have worked so hard for these recognitions.

Research Libraries, Archives, and Special Collections (RAS) Division Meeting

Join the RAS Division meeting, led by President Yermiyahu Ahron Taub. On the agenda will be presentations of reports from committee chairs, discussion of the past year's activities and programming, new ideas for future events, professional development opportunities, and more.

11:30 am–12:15 pm

AJL General Membership Meeting and Installation of the 2024–2026 Board

The AJL General Membership Meeting will follow the division meetings. Please review the minutes from last year’s meeting and let AJL secretary Rivka Yerushalmi know if any corrections are required. The meeting agenda includes an overview of AJL Board and Council accomplishments and the installation of the newly elected 2024–2026 AJL Board. Come say goodbye to the AJL leaders leaving the Board and welcome the members stepping into new leadership positions!

Wednesday, June 26

7:30–8:45 am

Meet Your AJL Chapter

Enjoy breakfast with members of your local chapter! Newcomers welcome!