Optional Tours and Post-Convention Program

You'll want to come early and stay an extra day to take advantage of all of the things we'll be offering in June 2008!

Sunday, June 22, 1:00 - 3:00 PM. Convention attendees will have the opportunity to take a guided tour of Jewish Cleveland on Lolly the Trolley. The tour will feature new Jewish sites on the east side of Cleveland, as well as the Jewish Archives at the Western Reserve Historical Society and The Temple - Tifereth Israel's historic building in University Circle. The fee is $30.00 per person.

Monday, June 23, 6:15 - 10:15 PM. Convention attendees can enjoy a light supper at The Temple - Tifereth Israel in Beachwood, followed by a docent-led tour of the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, which is located just steps away from The Temple. Transportation will be provided from the Marriott to The Temple and from the Maltz Museum back to the hotel. The fee is $50.00 per person and includes supper, transportation, and museum admission charges.

Wednesday, June 25, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Post-Convention Celebration of Jewish Children’s Books and Authors. In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Sydney Taylor Book Awards (1968-2008), AJL is offering a special post-convention celebration of Jewish children’s literature. The celebration will kick-off on Tuesday evening with the presentation of the 2008 Sydney Taylor Book Awards during the convention’s annual banquet. Sessions will continue on Wednesday, June 25th at 9:00 AM with presentations by current and past Sydney Taylor Book Award winners and by specialists in the field of Jewish children’s literature. The celebration will conclude with a book signing and sales event from 3:30-4:30 PM. Registration for the Wednesday events includes continental breakfast beginning at 8:00 AM, buffet lunch and dessert reception. The fees are as follows: Full convention registrant = $50.00; Wednesday only = $75.00. CEU credit will be available for an additional $45.00. More details will be available in the coming months.

Watch for future issues of the AJL Newsletter, where you'll find the Registration Form, as well as additional information about food, minyanim, exhibits, and a preliminary program.

Hotel and Travel Information for the 2008 Convention

Convention Headquarters will be the Marriott Cleveland East. Located near the heart of the Cleveland Jewish community, the Marriott Cleveland East offers easy access to synagogues, museums, restaurants and shopping. A block of rooms has been reserved for AJL convention participants. Please identify yourself as part of the Association of Jewish Libraries to receive the discounted group rates.

Reservations must be received by the Marriott on or before June 2, 2008. Convention rates are:

Single or double occupancy $129.00 + tax
Triple occupancy $139.00 + tax
Quadruple occupancy $149.00 + tax

Reservations must be accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card.

On-site parking is complimentary at the Marriott. Contact information for the hotel is as follows:
Marriott Cleveland East
26300 Harvard Rd.
Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44122
Telephone: 1-800-533-0162
Fax: 1-216-378-9292
Website: http://www.marriott.com/

GETTING TO CONVENTION
Two convenient airports service the Northeast Ohio region: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and the Akron-Canton Airport. Taxis are always available near the baggage pick-up area.

Shuttle service from Cleveland Hopkins costs approximately $50.00 each way for a town car or $60 for a van that holds up to 14 people. Service from Akron-Canton is about $70.00 for the town car and $80.00 for the van. To make shuttle reservations, contact Shima Limousine Service at 440-918-6400 or e-mail shimalimo@ameritech.net.

Updated travel information will be available on the AJL website and on this blog in the coming months.