Association of Jewish Libraries IN PERSON Conference: Cooler by the Lake
June 22–24, 2026 | Evanston, Illinois
Librarians, scholars, educators, archivists, authors, and library advocates are invited to submit proposals for papers and presentations on all aspects of librarianship and on topics related to Jews, Judaism, the Jewish experience, or Israel. Presentations should be relevant to library professionals working in academic and research institutions, archives, synagogues, day schools, Jewish community centers, and public libraries serving Jewish communities. Past topics have included collection development and management, programming, reader advisory services, special and rare collections, archival science, cataloging and classification, Jewish literature and literacy, digital and electronic resources, and emerging technologies.
Presentations exploring how Jewish libraries and archives adapt to new challenges, engage diverse communities, and build bridges across disciplines are especially welcome. Sessions about combating misinformation and antisemitism, exploring Jewish identity in digital spaces, and highlighting unique collections and resources are of particular interest.
All presentations must be delivered in person. If your proposal is accepted and you agree to present, you must register for the conference (either in full or at the day rate). Presenters are responsible for their conference fees, travel, and lodging expenses. AJL membership is optional, but members receive a discount on registration fees and may be eligible for conference support opportunities. For more details about the conference, go to https://jewishlibraries.org/2026-conference/.
Co-presenters and panel presentations are welcome; however, each presenter must submit a separate proposal. All submissions must be received by December 31, 2025. Proposals will be reviewed by the programming committee, and all applicants will be notified in February 2026.
Questions? Contact conference@jewishlibraries.org.
Rachel Kamin & Marcie Eskin
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El
Highland Park, IL
National Conference Co-Chairs
Association of Jewish Libraries Annual Conference