Attending conferences provides great opportunities for professional rejuvenation and networking with colleagues. Looking ahead to the ALA midwinter meeting, we are excited to connect with our fellow librarians, to meet in person with members of our professional learning network, and to continue the Common Core conversation with our colleagues. Provided below is information on upcoming library and educational conferences, along with resources to help librarians and educators with committing to conference attendance. We look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia!

ALA Midwinter Meeting - Conference Resources:

ALA Midwinter 14 - The official site from the American Library Association for the midwinter meeting in Philadelphia. To participate in the conversation online and for updates from the conference use the #alamw14 hashtag on Twitter.

2014 ALA Midwinter Must-Dos - From American Libraries.

YALSA at ALA’s 2014 Midwinter Meeting - A conference wiki created by the Young Adult Library Services Association.

Upcoming National Conferences for All Librarians and Educators:

Public Library Association (PLA) Annual Conference - The PLA 2014 Conference will be held in Indianapolis providing, a place to learn from innovators & professionals in the public library community.

The American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference - The ALA 2014 Conference will be held in Las Vegas with the conference theme of “Transforming Our Libraries, Ourselves.”

International Society for Technology Education (ISTE) Annual Conference - “Connected Learning. Connected World.” The ISTE 2014 conference will be held in Atlanta.

National Conference on College and Career Readiness - The focus of this national conference, to be held in Chicago, will be “Bridging to Success: Education in the 21st Century."

Common Core Standards Networking Conference - This conference, sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will be held in Nashville, Tenn.

Conferences and Inservice Opportunities for Educators From ASCD - Formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, this Web site lists numerous upcoming conference dates.

Grant Resources

While free and low cost resources such as webinars provide a practical solution to the lack of funding for conference attendance, many educators still crave the unique invigoration that can only be gleaned via in person learning at a conference site. For those interested in gaining on-site experience, the option of applying for grants and stipends to assist with travel and other conference related expenses is a possibility.

For Librarians - For Library Resources and Travel

EBSCO ALA Annual Conference Scholarship - This annual award consisting of $1,000 for actual reimbursed expenses is designed to allow librarians to attend the ALA's Annual Conference.

Frances Henne Award for ALA or AASL Conference Attendance - The Frances Henne Award recognizes a school librarian with five years or less experience who demonstrates leadership qualities with students, teachers and administrators, to attend an AASL conference or ALA Annual Conference for the first time.

Baker & Taylor Conference Grant - Awarded to librarians working with young adults to attend an ALA Conference for the first time.

DEMCO New Leaders Travel Grant for the Public Library Association Conferences - This grant has been established to enable PLA Members new to the profession and who have not had the opportunity to attend a major PLA Continuing Education Event in the last five years to do so.

ISTE Special Interest Group (SIG) Media Specialist Technology Innovation Award - ISTE presents this award to two teams consisting of a school librarian and collaborating teacher, from one primary school or its equivalent and one secondary school or its equivalent, each year.

ISTE Outstanding Young Educator Award - ISTE presents this award to an outstanding young educator (under the age of 35) who demonstrates vision, innovation, action and transformation using technology to improve learning and teaching.

Follett Challenge Awards - Enter the Follett Challenge by February 28, 2014, for the opportunity to win $200,000 in Follett products and services for your school. A video and online application must be completed that demonstrates how your school/ district library program is preparing students for the demands of the 21st century.

GALE/Teams Awards - The Gale/Library Media Connection TEAMS Award recognizes and encourages the critical collaboration between the teacher and media specialist to promote learning and increase student achievement. The awards are given every two years; the next will be in 2015.

For All Educators - For Classroom Resources and Travel

Scholastic Funding Connection - The Scholastic Funding Connection is your one-stop source for funding information, grant-writing tools and so much more.

An extensive list of resources provided by The Journal - Grants are sorted by application due date and are available for K-12 institutions in the United States.

We Are Teachers Grants & Contests - Provides opportunities to win cash and prizes so that educators have access to the educational resources they need, regardless of declining budgets nationwide.

National Council of Teachers of English - Research Foundation Grants proposals are invited from teachers, teacher researchers, teacher educators, and scholars in language, literacy, and cultural studies. Applicants must be members of NCTE. Although the 2013 submission deadline has passed, teachers can consider submitting an application for future proposals.