FAQ

Before you start to register, make sure you know if you need a visa to enter UAE. You can get information about a UAE visa from your airline or local consulate. We recommend that you find out about your visa before starting to register.

You will need your ALA member information for the ALA member discount to be applied. Please have that information ready before you start the registration process.

To join ALA:
If you would like to join ALA to receive the discounted member rate for this event, please contact [email protected] before starting to register.

Group or multiple registrations:
Please contact [email protected] if you wish to register and pay for multiple attendees or a group from a single library or institution. Group registrations are not possible online.

Invitation letter after you register
Access to all conference programs and other sessions in English and Arabic (simultaneous translation)
Access to poster sessions
Access to Librarian’s Lounge and library exhibits
Access to Sharjah International Book Fair
2 lunches and coffee/tea breaks
Access to all session recordings after the conference
Conference bag and program book
Certificate of participation after in-person attendance
Up to three nights’ hotel reimbursed if you spend more than $10,000 USD on materials for your library at the Book Fair

Invitation letter after you register
Access to one full day of intensive training on the topic you have selected. in English and Arabic (simultaneous translation)
Access to Librarian’s Lounge and library exhibits
Access to Sharjah International Book Fair
Lunch and coffee/tea breaks
Certificate of participation after in-person attendance
Up to three nights’ hotel reimbursed if you spend more than $10,000 USD on materials for your library at the Book Fair

Currencies/payment methods:
Exchange rates will vary slightly; the UAE dirham (AED) rate is the fixed point.

Advance payments: We accept UAE Dirhams and US Dollars for advance payments by credit card or wire transfer. If you register online before the deadline of October 25th, 2020, you can pay by credit card or by wire transfer. Please contact [email protected] if you wish to pay by wire transfer, and note that a bank processing fee will be added.

Onsite payments: We accept only UAE Dirhams onsite in Sharjah. Please note that if you pay onsite, the rates are higher than when you pay in advance online.

If you check the box on the registration form that says you expect to purchase $10,000 or more of materials onsite at the Sharjah International Book Fair, we will contact you to let you know how to get reimbursed for up to 3 nights of hotel. One additional staff member is eligible for the same reimbursement for each additional $10,000 you spend. Receipts of purchases will be required.

If you have to cancel:
To cancel a confirmed registration, please send a written cancellation notice to [email protected] at least 30 days before the event (on or before 25th October, 2020). You will receive a refund minus a cancellation fee of $40 USD. Any refunds will be processed after the conference ends.

Any cancellations made after 25th October, 2020 will not be eligible for refunds. This includes cancellations related to not obtaining a necessary visa.