ProposalCode4Lib 2024
May 13-16
Welcome to Ann Arbor, Michigan
Our city is home to the University of Michigan, one of Michigan's premier public research institutions, and offers a unique blend of culture, community, and innovation.
Our iconic tree-lined streets have earned us the nickname "Tree Town," with 162 city parks spread out over just 6 square miles. We're also known as "Book Town" due to the number of independent bookstores and books sold per capita. We were named the No. 2 city to live in the U.S. by Livability in 2022.
Ann Arbor has a vibrant arts and culture scene, as well as a burgeoning tech hub. Downtown Ann Arbor has a 99 out of 100 walkable score, making it easy for attendees to explore the area and experience all the city has to offer. From microbreweries and nationally-renowned concert venues to college sports and local festivals, there's something for everyone in Ann Arbor.
When
The month of May marks the height of spring here in Southeast Michigan. The flowers are blooming, the weather is warmer, and the local wildlife is out of winter hibernation or has returned to us from their southern homes. We are excited about the opportunity of offering this conference during a season when attendees can enjoy both our indoor and outdoor offerings.
Financial Outline
We expect the following costs:
- Estimated attendee registration fee: $225 early registration ($290 late registration)
- Hotel rates: $125-$300 a night
- Up to 250 attendees
How to Get Here
Ann Arbor is located about 35 min from Detroit Metro Airport (DTW), Michigan’s largest airport. The Michigan Flyer is a direct bus line that runs regularly 7 days a week between downtown Ann Arbor and the airport. Amtrak’s Wolverine train line also conveniently runs through downtown between the Detroit and Chicago metros. We have an extensive public transportation network called TheRide that runs throughout the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti (pronounced IP-si-lantee) area. The University of Michigan also has its own fleet of buses along 12 routes that are available to the general public for free without an ID or pass. For more information on parking at the university and other transportation options, please visit the U of M Facilities’ LTP website.
Things to Do
In Ann Arbor / Within Walking Distance
Museums / Exhibits
- University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
- Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
- The Museum on Main Street
- University of Michigan Museum of Art
- Detroit Observatory
Outdoor Activities
- Leslie Science & Nature Center
- Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum
- Hiking and bike trails
Live Music and Performing Arts
- The Ark
- The Blind Pig
- Hill Auditorium
- Michigan and State Theaters
- University Musical Society (UMS) presents concerts and events on campus and in the area
Library Tours
- Hatcher and Shapiro Libraries
- William L. Clements Library
- Bentley Historical Library
- Ford Presidential Library
Bookstores
Games and Gaming
Area Architecture
Shopping
Farther afield / Would need transportation
East of Ann Arbor
- Arab American National Museum (Dearborn)
- Belle Isle Conservatory (scheduled to reopen in May 2024) and the Aquarium (Detroit)
- Cranbrook Art Museum (Bloomfield Hills)
- Detroit Institute of the Arts (Detroit)
- Michigan Firehouse Museum (Ypsilanti)
- International Dinnerware Museum (Ann Arbor)
- The Henry Ford & Greenfield Village (Dearborn)
- John K King Books (Detroit)
- Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum (Farmington Hills)
- Motown Museum (Detroit)
Ann Arbor West Side
Restaurant and Bar List
In Ann Arbor / Within Walking Distance
- Aventura
- Bill’s Beer Garden
- Conor O’Neil’s
- Detroit Street Filling Station
- Frita Batidos
- Gandy Dancer
- Jerusalem Garden
- Jolly Pumpkin
- Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger
- Mani Osteria
- Miss Kim
- Of Rice & Men
- Pacific Rim
- Palio
- Sava’s
- Taste Kitchen
- The Blue Nile
- The Chop House
- The Last Word
- The Original Cottage Inn Pizza
- The Raven’s Club
- Zingerman’s Deli
Farther afield / Would need transportation
Land Acknowledgement
The University of Michigan, named for Michigami, the world’s largest freshwater system and located in the Huron River watershed, is indebted to the Wyandot and Anishinaabeg, the Three Fires People — the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodewéwadmik (Potawatomi). These peoples are traditionally the inhabitants and stewards of this region. In 1817, these nations ceded land in the Treaty at the Foot of the Rapids (also known as the Treaty of Fort Meigs), with the understanding that their children would be provided with educational opportunities in perpetuity. Proceeds from the sale of this land funded the origins of the university, and records indicate that the university has not realized the treaty’s promise. Since the treaty was signed, few or no Native Americans have been enrolled at the university.
The University of Michigan Code4Lib Proposal Committee acknowledges that our university stands, like almost all property in the United States, on lands obtained in unconscionable ways from indigenous peoples. This acknowledgement does not absolve or diminish the advantages gained through white colonialism and violence. Instead we hold ourselves and our universities accountable through how we work, live, research, teach, learn, curate, recruit, and collaborate. We also consider, as educators and information professionals, how the digital technologies we use every day — their infrastructures, design, and environmental impact — have been influenced by the legacy of colonialism and white privilege.
Pronunciation Guide
For a guide to pronouncing the names of the nations listed in the above land acknowledgment, please visit this Northern Illinois University webpage.
Additional Resources
Acknowledgements alone are insufficient. We recognize that they are only the beginning and that there is more work we must do. The following articles and guides are starting places for learning more:
- Land Reparations & Indigenous Solidarity Toolkit
- Land-grab universities by Robert Lee and Tristan Ahtone
- Land Acknowledgment – Mechanical Engineering
- So you want to acknowledge the land? by Summer Wilkie
- UM Libraries Indigenous Resources Guide
Safety Information for Michigan and Ann Arbor
Book Banning
- Michigan Librarians Have been Actively and Vocally Defending the Right to Read (op-ed from Bridge Michigan, May 2022)
- MI Right to Read Project (https://www.mirighttoread.com/)
Gun Violence
Proposal Committee
- Natasha Allen (lead), University of Michigan Library
- Jesse Johnston, University of Michigan School of Information
- Monique Rio, University of Michigan Library
- Henny Tasker, University of Michigan Library
- Rachel Vacek, University of Michigan Library
- Ken Varnum, University of Michigan Library
Library Administration support provided by: Bohyun Kim, University of Michigan Library
For any questions or comments, please email us at: 2024c4l-proposal-committee@umich.edu