2025 Conference Updates

2025 ACL Annual Conference – In-Person Only

For the past several years, ACL has included an online component in our annual conference. However, due to declining virtual participation and rising technical costs, there will be no virtual component for the 2025 ACL Annual Conference. Instead, ACL will be offering other virtual professional development opportunities throughout the year. This shift allows us to fully dedicate our resources to making the in-person gathering a truly enriching experience with embodied engagement and learning alongside Christian librarians in similar roles.

Making Conference Participation Affordable

We encourage you to start mapping your attendance strategy for the 2025 ACL Annual Conference, held June 2-4 in Nampa, Idaho, at Northwest Nazarene University. We understand that financial limitations are often roadblocks to attending the conference, and ACL remains committed to creating pathways to make participation as affordable as possible despite rising costs. We’re pleased to announce that our hosting library at Northwest Nazarene University has secured a grant to help reduce expenses for attendees in 2025.

Here are additional ways to make conference participation more budget-friendly:

• Christian Periodical Indexers: If you index for the Christian Periodical Index, you can double your indexing token compensation to be used as credit towards your conference registration. Some indexers have paid very little out of pocket by using this benefit!
• Presenters Discount: Selected presenters receive up to $50 off their registration, so consider submitting a proposal and sharing your expertise.
• Institutional Support: Many university administrators view conference participation as vital for faculty to stay current in their field, share research, and network with peers, all while enhancing their institution’s visibility. Presenting a workshop or poster at conference may increase your institution’s willingness to cover your expenses, so start brainstorming presentation ideas early!
• Non-Traditional Funding Avenues: Explore alternative routes through grants or special institutional funding.
• Conference Scholarships: Multiple pathways to funding are available through ACL, including the new Jeanette Parker Memorial Conference Scholarship for ACL members pursuing an MLIS or MLS degree.
• Be an Early Bird: Get on the fast track to savings by signing up during the Early Bird period and receive an automatic $15 discount on your registration.
• Travel Economically: Chart a cost-effective journey by sharing rides or coordinating travel plans with colleagues to reduce transportation costs.

Stay tuned as we continue to map out more updates and announcements in the coming months, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need directions along the way.

We hope to see you in Idaho!