Spring Institute Home  |  Venue  |  Registration  |  Schedule at a Glance  |  Featured Speakers  |  Breakout Sessions  |  Special Events  |  Exhibitors  |  Land Acknowledgement  |  Vendor and Sponsor Opportunities  |  Call for Proposals  |  Spring Institute History

Spring Institute For Youth Services 2026 Registration

Registration Opens: Friday, January 9, 2026
Conference Early Bird Rate: Friday, January 9 through Friday, February 13, 2026
Conference Standard Rate: Saturday, February 14 through Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Conference Onsite Rate: Thursday, March 12 though Friday, March 20, 2026

Online Registration Closes: Friday, March 13, 2026
Last Day for Cancellations with Fee: Monday, March 9, 2026
Last Day for Registration Changes: Monday, March 9, 2026
Registration Closes: Friday, March 20, 2026

Register

Registration Rates

Register

Venue Information

L.V. Eberhard Center at GVSU Pew Campus
301 Fulton Street SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Holiday Inn Downtown Grand Rapids
310 Pearl Street NW
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504

Group room rates at the Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown start at $149.00. Please use this link or call the hotel directly at (616) 235-7611 and refer to the Michigan Library Association Spring Institute to qualify for the discount rate. Reserve your room by February 24, 2026. Room block may sell out sooner. Self-parking for hotel guests is complimentary.

Conference Policies

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations for MLA in-person and hybrid events (including the annual conference, if virtual) must be received in writing by e-mail no later than ten (10) business days prior to the program in order to qualify for a refund. Within ten (10) business days of the event, no refund will be issued. Registrations received within ten (10) days of the program are not eligible for a refund. No-shows will be invoiced.

A $35.00 processing fee will be applied to refunds for workshops and conferences.

If an MLA professional development workshop, conference, webinar, or other training session is cancelled due to low registration or inclement weather, participants will be notified and fees, if applicable, will be refunded.

Consent

Registration and attendance at, or participation in, MLA meetings or other activities constitutes an agreement by the registration to the use and distribution of the registrants or attendees' image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions of such events and activities by MLA. Please contact MLA at [email protected] if you'd like to be removed from any list. 

Code of Conduct

Download the complete Code of Conduct (pdf)

MLA’s vision is to be a highly effective, trusted network of libraries, library employees, trustees, friends and supporters working together to support and promote the highest quality library services throughout Michigan. To fulfill our vision, MLA has built, and is dedicated to maintaining, an inclusive and equitable community where all people can come together to advance our shared vision.

MLA is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all participants and MLA staff. Each participant, including attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, staff, and service providers, is expected to understand and follow MLA policies and report any violations. These expectations apply to all MLA activities (whether virtual or in-person), including but not limited to those held in conjunction with conferences, events, and meetings. Any conduct that is prohibited in-person is also prohibited online, including but not limited to on MLA social media pages and other online platforms. 

Health and Safety Guidelines

We ask you to be courteous and conscientious of others while meeting in-person at the event, especially when it comes to health and safety.

Common Allergens

MLA will make every effort to ensure that provided meals are free of any declared allergens. Please ensure you have alerted MLA staff to any allergies you may have. If you have emergency medications, such as an EpiPen, please carry it with you during the conference.

Although we always aim to work with you to provide a safe and comfortable conference, we cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free event or prevent others from bringing potential allergens to the event. Conference attendees and exhibitors are asked to refrain from bringing, distributing, and consuming products containing peanuts and other nuts at the conference.