- Small communities are eligible to send up to 2 people
- Midsize communities are eligible to send up to 3 people
- Large communities are eligible to send up to 4 people
- The New York Partnership Network attendance is by invite-only. Please reach out to Lital Grundland Madar with questions.
- PJ Library International attendance is by invite-only. Please reach out to Rachel Kozupsky with questions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?
A: Each PJ Library community is eligible to attend the conference:
PJ Professionals, Parent Connectors/Ambassadors, and PJ Library team members are all welcome to attend, space permitting. We encourage you to consider bringing a lay leader, a colleague from a Jewish partner organization, or a specialized member of your organization’s team who would benefit.
If you would like to bring additional people beyond your approved amount, please complete this waitlist form as soon as possible. Our team will be in touch with each community on the waitlist. Please reach out to your Program Officer with questions or to strategize who is best to include from your community.
Q:WHEN AND WHERE DOES THE CONFERENCE TAKE PLACE?
A: The gathering will take place at the Marriott Springfield Downtown Hotel in Springfield, Massachusetts, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern on Monday, April 27, 2026, with programming ending at 1:00 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
This is an experiential conference in which sessions build on each other. It is important that you plan to be at our opening on Monday afternoon and stay through our closing on Wednesday.
Q: WHAT DOES IT COST TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?
A: Thanks to the generosity of The Harold Grinspoon Foundation, registration, and hotel accommodations Monday and Tuesday night are included. Kosher meals and snacks from Monday dinner through Wednesday lunch are covered, as well. Attendees will be responsible for travel expenses to and from their home communities, including any additional nights at the hotel or meals outside of the time frame outlined above.
Q: HOW DO I BOOK A ROOM AT THE MARRIOTT SPRINGFIELD DOWNTOWN?
A: The Harold Grinspoon Foundation will make ALL hotel reservations; please do not call or contact the hotel on your own. On your registration form, please indicate each night that you will stay at the hotel (including additional nights, pre- or post-conference*). The Harold Grinspoon Foundation will cover the cost of a single hotel room for each guest on Monday and Tuesday nights. *Attendees will be responsible for paying $169 plus applicable taxes for each additional night at the hotel.
Q: WILL ALL FOOD BE KOSHER?
A: All food served throughout the conference will be certified kosher under the supervision of the Rabbinical Council of New England (KVH hechsher) from Monday dinner to Wednesday lunch. We do our best to accommodate food allergies. Please list all dietary allergies and restrictions on the conference registration form when prompted.
Q: WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
A: The dress code is casual meets business casual. This means leaving your suits, ties, heels, flip-flops, and shorts at home. Jeans, khakis, comfortable shoes, and sneakers are welcome. The rooms can get chilly, so don't forget a sweater.
Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to refill at water stations, a reusable coffee/tea mug if desired to help cut down on waste, a tote bag to carry your swag, some business cards for networking, and cash for tipping hotel room cleaning staff. You may want to bring an extra, empty travel bag to bring home PJ books and goodies that we’ll be giving away throughout the conference.
Q: I'M NOT ABLE TO ATTEND IN PERSON. WILL SESSIONS BE RECORDED?
A: This is a hands-on, experiential conference, and, as such, sessions will not be recorded. Reach out to your Program Officer to discuss virtual networking opportunities offered throughout the year!
Q: HOW WILL THE HAROLD GRINSPOON FOUNDATION CREATE A WELCOMING AND SAFE COMMUNITY FOR ME?
A: The Harold Grinspoon Foundation is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all 2026 PJ Library International Conference participants. We embrace learning from different perspectives, encourage the exchange of ideas, and believe in hearing from all voices because it strengthens our conversation and advances our work.
Q: HOW DO I REQUEST ACCOMMODATIONS?
A: PJ Library strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. If you need any accommodations during our three-day event, please contact us at conference@hgf.org.
Q: I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?
A: Please email our planning team with any questions.
Q: CAN I BRING MY CHILD(REN) TO THE CONFERENCE?
A: The PJ Library Conference is proud to welcome attendees with infants under 12 months old. We encourage you to bring your infant along, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs as a parent throughout the event. While there is no on-site childcare, there are cozy and comfortable spaces around the hotel for nursing and baby care, and each attendee has their own hotel room conveniently located just upstairs from the conference. Infants under 12 months are welcome in all sessions, but we kindly ask that parents step out briefly if their baby becomes restless or noisy, to minimize disruptions.