Code4Lib 2009 Conference Proposal: Columbus, OH

Code4Lib Columbus Host Organizations

The local organizing committee includes staff from the Columbus Metropolitan Library, OCLC, OhioLINK, and The Ohio State University Libraries (the list of individuals involved and support letters from host institutions are below).

Conference Venue

The renovated Main Library of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, located uptown, offers a great central location for a small conference for up to 200 participants in size. Meeting room facilities consist of a large first floor auditorium that can seat 200 and several smaller meeting rooms (up to 3) that can hold breakout groups up 50 in classroom style seating. Free wireless access is available throughout the building and there is ample parking uptown between the library's own parking garage and surrounding surface lots.

Conference Extras

Several optional events will be arranged to maximize the opportunity for conference attendees to network informally and visit facilities of potential interest:


The City and Environs

Columbus is the capital of Ohio, and the major city in central Ohio. Host to several Fortune 500 companies and boasting a mix of industries, the Columbus metropolitan area is home to almost 100K college students and academic/research organizations such as The Ohio State State University and the Battelle Memorial Institute. Central Ohio also boasts a number of highly-regarded libraries and library organizations including The Columbus Metropolitan Library (consistently ranked as one of the nation's top libraries), Worthington Public (2007 Library of the Year), OhioLINK (consortium of 86 Ohio college and university libraries, and the State Library of Ohio), OCLC (the world's largest cooperative of libraries), and many more.

Devon Smith put together a Google Map of the conference venue, the proposed hotel, and local restaurants and bars.


Amenities

Columbus and its neighbors boast a wide range of attractions, a rich choice of restaurants, and various museums, theatres, and sports attractions. The downtown venue proposed for Code4Lib Columbus will be adjacent to the Short North Area with its colorful restaurants, bars, and shops, and near to the Arena District (restaurants, bars, sports arenas), and German Village (European-inspired brick-line avenues with family-owned restaurants and bars).

Transportation Options

By Car

Located at the intersection of two major interstate highways, I-71 and I-70, Columbus is in ready driving distance of much of the East Coast and Midwest of the United States and even parts of Canada.

By Air

Served by Port Columbus International Airport - 190 non-stop flights to 44 airports via 15 airlines. Columbus, OH is within an hour-and-a-half flying distance from 56% of the US population (and likely a high percentage of Canadians as well). Check out some low fares to US destinations.

Lodging

Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus-Downtown
Located in Short North area, it is reasonably-priced, but puts conference-goers in a good location to spend their evening exploring various bars and restaurants.

501 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio, USA 43215
Tel: +1-614-559-2000 Fax: +1-614-559-2001

Fees

We are committed to keep the registration fee for Code4Lib 2009 at $120 or less, with a goal of no more than $100.

Local Organizing Committee

Institutional Letters of Support