University of Minnesota Code4Lib 2024

Why Minneapolis

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is one of the nation's top public research universities, with an award-winning library system to match. The University of Minnesota Libraries are excited to invite the Code4Lib community back to the midwest, to our hometown, and to our beloved campus. We propose to host this event in the very heart of our school: Coffman Memorial Union. Come visit the institution that invented the pacemaker, the retractable seat belt, and the Honeycrisp apple. Come meet library colleagues who launched the Data Curation Network, lead the Mapping Prejudice Project, and host the world's largest transgender oral history archive. Wherever your professional interests lie, you'll find your warm and dedicated counterparts here at the University of Minnesota.

Minneapolis is a vibrant and diverse city in the traditional homelands of the Dakota people, and is known for its parks, lakes, art museums, theater, food, and music venues. The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has been named the "Best Airport in North America" for the second straight year, and the city has great public transportation options. Ride our light rail from the airport directly to your hotel downtown, and immediately curbside to the conference venue on campus.

Minnesota has affirmed LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights with recent statewide legislation and continues to work to address systemic inequities that still exist, particularly in our Indigenous and Black communities.

When

March 5 through 8, 2024 (University of Minnesota spring break)

Pre-conferences and newcomer dinner: Tuesday, March 5th
Conference days: Wednesday through Friday (half day Friday)

Venue

We plan to host Code4Lib on the University’s Minneapolis East Bank campus. Coffman Memorial Union’s Great Hall features ample space for 200 attendees, spaces for pre-conference workshops, and conference support. Located at the heart of the Minneapolis campus, Coffman’s facilities, shops, and dining options make it an ideal location for a conference. Likewise, campus has several excellent options for a conference reception: the Weisman Art Museum, Northrop Auditorium, Huntington Bank Stadium, or McNamara Alumni Center offer superior facilities within very short walking distances of the venue and hotels listed below.

COVID-19 precautions and medical information

As of this writing, the University of Minnesota does not require masks to be worn indoors on campus. However free 3M N95 masks remain available at numerous locations, including several in Coffman and nearby buildings.

A pharmacy with a large selection of over-the-counter products, campus clinic, and an off-campus CVS Pharmacy are all nearby the venue and many hotels.

Sustainability

In alignment with the University of Minnesota's MPACT2025 strategic plan, the committee will implement sustainable event best practices where feasible. This may include but is not limited to:

  • providing a hybrid event, streaming the event online;
  • coordinating with Facilities Management to implement Zero Waste event features;
  • encouraging on campus lodging, walking, public transit, and nearby activities;
  • reducing printing, distributing materials digitally;
  • working with caterers for real dinnerware and silverware (preferred) or compostable if necessary, using bulk condiments of possible, and building a plant-friendly menu; and
  • requesting attendees bring their own water bottles and providing water from jugs rather than plastic bottles.

Scarves

Recognizing that March in Minnesota is generally not t-shirt weather, we propose instead purchasing custom scarves for an especially unique and practical Code4Lib memento.

Cost

For attendees:

  • Registration fee: about $200
  • Hotels: between $100 and $300

Travel

Getting here

Minneapolis is well connected via airlines, trains, and driving.

  • By plane: Minneapolis-St.Paul International airport (MSP) is a hub for Delta airlines. MSP has 756 arrivals per day, so it’s easy to get to from almost anywhere in the US. The airport is only 18 minutes by car or 41 minutes by light rail (same station transfer required) from the venue.
  • By train: Amtrak’s Empire Builder has daily service from Chicago, Portland, Oregon, and Seattle through St. Paul’s Union Depot. Summer 2023 will see the launch of the Great River train from Chicago to St. Paul via Milwaukee, with a second daily round trip potentially starting in Autumn 2023. Union Depot is 30 minutes direct via light rail or 20 minutes by car.
  • By car: Minneapolis is served by Interstates 35 and 94, with Interstate 90 approximately 90 minutes south.

Getting around

The University’s Minneapolis campus is very well served by Metro Transit and campus buses. While campus is large, the conference venue is centrally located and less than 7 minutes’ walk (slightly less than 0.3 miles) from the Graduate Hotel.

Hotels

There are several large hotels within walking distance and convenient to transit.

Many more hotels are located in downtown Minneapolis, just 16 minutes from the venue via the light rail. Rail service runs every 15 minutes. There are both CVS and Walgreens locations near the venue and within walking distance of all of the hotels above except the Courtyard Hotel.

Extras

The 3 campuses that comprise the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, as well as the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, have many opportunities and activities. Explore the Gopher Way (the underground walkway system to bypass the cold weather), enjoy stunning views of the Mississippi River from the Washington Ave and Dinkytown Greenway bridges, explore Dinkytown, or join some tours.

On campus extracurricular activities

Activities are free unless noted. Some possible tours we can offer around campus include:

Campus sporting events include the most storied women's and men's college hockey teams in the country ($8 and up), women's gymnastics (cost varies), and men's basketball (cost varies).

Other activities around town

The Twin Cities offers a full array of activities for different interests.

Special events

Music

Museums

Theater

  • Theatre in the Round performing Silent Sky, a play about the astronomer Henrietta Leavitt (0.7 miles, about 5 minutes on the campus bus)
  • Guthrie Theater performing On Beckett, “a one-man tribute to a literary legend” (1.3 miles, 25 minute walk or 10-15 minute bus ride on the 3, 465, or 475)

Shopping

  • Dinkytown (0.8 miles, about a 10 minute walk)
  • Mall of America (12 miles, hop the lightrail to get there in an hour - requires a transfer from the Green line downtown to the Blue line)

Dining around town

Food halls

Restaurants

Beer, cider, cocktails