Conferences

Are there conferences for rare book and manuscript professionals?

Rare Book and Manuscript Section (RBMS): Preconference
http://www.rbms.info/conferences/index.shtml
RBMS usually holds its Preconference in June, just before the ALA Annual Conference. In recent years, the preconference has been three-and-a-half-days long. This includes an optional full-day workshop, which is often devoted to training in rare book cataloging or archival description. A different theme is chosen each year, with plenary speeches and panel discussions addressing related topics. Themes in recent years have included Special Collections in the Digital Age (2008), Ephemera (2007), and Libraries, Archives and Museums (2006). Note that the business meetings of RBMS committees are held at ALA Annual and Midwinter Meetings; not at the Preconference. See What is the difference between the RBMS Preconference and the ALA Annual and Midwinter meetings? for more information.

Society of American Archivists (SAA): Annual Meeting
http://www.archivists.org/conference/
The SAA Annual Meeting is about one week long and typically meets at the end of August. Optional intensive workshops take up the first few days, with the remaining days featuring panel discussions, brown bag meetings, exhibitions, and other offerings on current topics in the archives field.