Please note: This is a Sole Source Notification. The Minnesota Department of Education intends to proceed with partnering with the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) to collaborate and facilitate the MN Library Association Annual Conference targeted PRECONFERENCE for BIPOC library workers and library professionals in Minnesota. The annual MN Library Association conference will be held on October 24-25, 2024, and the preconference is intended to precede on October 23, 2024. The preconference will provide targeted professional development and support, facilitate access to the main conference for BIPOC library staff and professionals, a historically and presently under-represented group at the annual conference. The MLA is also offering a discount to preconference attendees to attend the 2024 annual conference, an opportunity that is not guaranteed for future annual MLA conferences. The opportunity for this collaboration won’t be available for another year. MLA extended their negotiated price/discounted rate for Rochester Civic Center access, lodging, catering, and technology to assist State Library Services in conducting the preconference event. These costs are significantly less in comparison to other events that MDE has held at similar locations.
