Reconnect with friends and make new connections while celebrating the
intersection and overlap of the core work we do.

Two full days of presentations, interactive panel discussions, and
activities are guaranteed to be both thought-provoking and highly relevant
to participants' current and future career paths. Forum engages the
collective expertise of presenters and participants, facilitates enriching
conversations, and offers unique learning opportunities. Everyone,
including non-Core members, is encouraged to register, bring real-life
questions, share experiences, and network to learn new perspectives.

Event Features

   - Preconferences & Tours (additional registration required)
   - Welcome Reception
   - 2 Keynote Presentations
   - 45+ educational programs
   - Poster Session
   - Exhibitor Displays
   - Dine-arounds (optional)


6 Concurrent Program Tracks

   - Access & Equity
   - Buildings & Operations
   - Leadership & Management
   - Metadata & Collections
   - Preservation
   - Technology


Keynote Speakers
Nick Laracuente
As the Lead Archivist for the Sazerac Company, Nick Laracuente is an
archaeologist who specializes in historical distillery and spirits-specific
research, as well as public outreach and education. Nicknamed the "Bourbon
Archaeologist," he played a key role in the discovery and excavation of
Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr's formerly lost nineteenth-century Distillery at
Buffalo Trace Distillery, now dubbed "Bourbon Pompeii."

Frank X Walker
Multidisciplinary artist, Frank X Walker holds the endowed C.R. Lezius
Professorship in the Arts at the University of Kentucky. A Cave Canem
Fellow and co-founder of the Affrilachian Poets, he is the author of
thirteen collections of poetry including Load In Nine Times, winner of the
2025 Pen/Voelcker Award for Poetry and Turn Me Loose: The Unghosting of
Medgar Evers, winner of the NAACP Image Award, and Buffalo Dance: The
Journey of York, winner of the Lillian Smith Book Award. Voted one of the
most creative professors in the south, he is the originator of the word,
Affrilachia, and is dedicated to communicating how literacy and the arts
impacts our quality of life. The Lannan Poetry Fellowship Award recipient
has degrees from the University of Kentucky and Spalding University as well
as four honorary doctorates from the University of KY, Centre College,
Spalding University, and Transylvania University.

*View the complete event schedule and register at www.coreforum.org.*
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Registration (early-bird registration pricing ends October 4th)

   - Core Member: $369
   - Kentucky Library/KPLA Members: $369
   - ALA Member: $454
   - Non-Member: $574
   - Other ALA Member (Students/Non-Salaried, LSS, Retired, International):
   $269
   - Exhibitor Tabletop (includes up to 2 exhibitor registrations): $1,250


Core Forum Library Supporter
There are a limited number of Library Supporter sponsorships available to
libraries. The $2,500 fee comes with up to 6 Forum attendee registrations,
sponsorship of the Core Forum Poster Session and a small tabletop to
display promotional materials about the library. Contact Julie Reese at
[log in to unmask] for more information.

Additional Benefit for Registering:
All Core Forum registrants will receive free access to the 2026 Best of
Core Forum Webinar Series in the months following Core Forum. The series
features 20+ live webinars from sessions held at Forum voted by attendees
as Best of Core Forum.

Not Yet a Member?
Consider becoming a member and save! An ALA member will pay $85 more than a
Core member and a non-member will pay $205 more than a Core member to
attend Forum, based on early-bird rates. Save money by joining and you will
not only enjoy the benefits of Core Forum and Best of Core Forum Webinar
Series but also have a year of ALA and Core membership. ALA member fees
range from $40-$125 per year.  Core member fees range from $30-$82 per
year. *Visit the Core web site to learn about the benefits of membership
and how to join.*
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Core Forum Event Hotel
Core has secured a room block at The Galt House Hotel for registered Core
Forum attendees. Group rates start at $189.00 Single/Double.  Housing
reservations must be made prior to October 17.

We Welcome Your support!
Sponsorship & Exhibitor opportunities are available. Please contact Core
Executive Director, Julie Reese for more information at [log in to unmask]

2025 Core Forum Attendee Testimonials
"For a smaller public library, the information provided at Core is really
key. To have such a concentrated wealth of knowledge around administration,
management, and facilities in one place is really invaluable!"

"This was a great opportunity for me to learn new aspects of librarianship
in regards to facility and staff management and overall leadership."

About Core
Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures is the national association that
advances the profession of librarians and information providers in central
roles of leadership and management, collections and technical services,
preservation, and technology. Our mission is to cultivate and amplify the
collective expertise of library workers in core functions through community
building, advocacy, and learning. Core is a division of the American
Library Association. Contact the Core office at [log in to unmask], or visit our
website at *www.ala.org/core*
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to
learn more.

Thank You to Our Sponsors
*OCLC, Diamond Sponsor*
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*Agati Furniture, Gold Sponsor*
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*University of Minnesota Libraries, Forum Supporter*
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Follow Us on Social Media to Stay Informed!
*LinkedIn*
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 | *Facebook*
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Amy Swartz
Head of Library Technology
Li Lu Law Library
Columbia Law School