2026 Virginia Library Association Annual ConferenceThe Virginia Library Association's 2026 Annual Conference will be held from Sunday, October 18 - Tuesday, October 20 in Norfolk, Virginia at Hilton Norfolk the Main.
RegistrationAttendee registration opens June 2026.Exhibitor and sponsor registration is open. Click here to register or learn more. About the Conference ThemeLibraries are known as places that provide care to their communities, but who cares for the people who make this possible? Library workers are navigating external pressures and growing demands that can cause burnout, chronic stress, and mental health challenges. As a response, the 2026 Virginia Library Association President Nancy Falciani, in collaboration with the 2026 Conference Committee Chair Kelsey Cheshire, has chosen to turn the focus of care inward with the 2026 theme, Caring for Our Collective.
The 2026 VLA Conference Committee welcomes proposals that focus on strategies, practices, and relationships that strengthen our support system. While individual self-care is important, the goal is to encourage collective, community care and shared responsibility. Proposals should acknowledge the realities of the strains on our profession, but offer practical and compassionate strategies that empower us to create a culture of mutual support. Examples include; How can we make sure our practices are inclusive and don’t leave anyone behind? How can leaders practice radical empathy? How can we reframe “failures” as learning experiences that allow us to grow together? In short - what can we do for one another? These ideas of mutual support may focus on the communities we serve and include topics on the digital divide, the library as a third space and a provider of social safety nets, and how to inspire ‘library joy’. Call for 2026 Conference ProposalsWe are now accepting session proposals through three submission forms; a general VLA session form, VLA's Chapter of the Association of College & Research Libraries (VLACRL) form, and a poster session form. General VLA sessions and poster sessions are selected by the 2026 VLA Conference Committee. The VLACRL hosts a "Conference-Within-a-Conference"; their session proposals will be peer reviewed by their chapter. Please note that all poster sessions will run on Sunday evening. All other sessions will be scheduled for Monday afternoon, Tuesday morning, or Tuesday afternoon. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.   Know Your Session Type Before You SubmitPresentation – A 45-minute time slot to host a 30 - 40 minute presentation on a particular issue, program or service followed by a 5 - 15 minute casual discussion and/or Q & A session with audience. Usually features 1-3 speakers.Panel Discussion – A 45-minute time slot to host a moderated session featuring multiple speakers focused on a particular issue, program, or service. Panel discussions allow panelists to share thoughts, opinions, and experiences about a particular issue, program, or service followed by discussion driven by audience participation. May feature 3-5 speakers including a moderator. Poster Session – Create a poster to showcase your program or research. This event on Sunday evening will incorporate public, academic, special libraries, and library partnerships and coalitions. Please note that poster spaces will be assigned and that the maximum size of a poster is 4 feet by 4 feet. Proposal FAQsHow are proposals selected? Does my presentation have to focus on the conference theme? Are speakers required to register for the conference? All submissions will be reviewed and applicants will be notified of decisions by May 2026. Applicants who are not selected will also be notified and are encouraged to refine their proposal for submission next year. What are the next steps if my proposal is accepted? Accepted speakers must submit a Speaker Intake Form to confirm their acceptance. This form must be filled out with ALL presenter information by May 30 at 11:59 p.m. to avoid forfeiting acceptance. Can I select the date and time I present? What is provided for presenters? I am an author/vendor who would like to speak at the conference. Do I submit a proposal? I forgot to submit a proposal and it's now past the deadline. Can you still consider adding my poster? Are you accepting proposals for Lightning Talks? I'm having technical difficulties submitting a proposal - who do I contact? |
