Before making your reservations, please check the conference schedule. The ABAA Booksellers' Showcase, all four workshops and several tours will be held throughout the day on Wednesday, June 17, with an opening reception at the Omni Charlottesville Hotel that evening. The main conference program will run from Thursday morning, June 18 through noon on Saturday, June 20.
- Preconference Hotel
- Dormitories
Adjacent to the historic downtown pedestrian mall Omni Charlottesville Hotel will serve as the official preconference hotel and main meeting venue. This three-diamond luxury hotel features a stunning seven-story glassed-in atrium, indoor and outdoor pools, and a complimentary fitness center with sauna and Jacuzzi.
Single and double rooms are available for a special discounted group rate of $189/night to RBMS Preconference attendees. Make reservations online or call the Omni Charlottesville Hotel at 888-444-OMNI (6664) or 434-971-5500, and mention that you will be attending the "RBMS Preconference" taking place June 17-20 to receive the discounted group rates. Discounted group rates are available on a first-come, first-served basis until Friday, May 22 2009. Please call early to for best availability. A major credit card will be required to confirm your reservation.
A 50th Birthday Present to RBMS Guests from the Omni – Free Wireless Internet!
In celebration of the RBMS 50th Anniversary Preconference, the Omni Charlottesville hotel will give all RBMS guests complimentary high speed wireless internet access in their guest rooms, restaurant and lobby of the hotel for the duration of their stay. To receive free internet in your guest room (a $9.95/day value), please select the “Charge Me” button on your computer screen and the charges will go to the Omni house account. Be assured that no fees for internet access will be charged to you. Happy 50th Anniversary Preconference to RBMS from the Omni Charlottesville Hotel!
The ABAA Booksellers' Showcase, registration, and opening reception on Wednesday and program sessions on Friday and Saturday will all be held in the Omni’s main ballroom and conference facilities. On Thursday, shuttle buses will transport attendees to and from the program sessions, tours, and receptions that will be held at the University of Virginia, approximately one mile and a half away. Please see the conference schedule for details and the travel page for information on other local area transportation.
Dormitory-style accommodations are available at the University of Virginia. Those who have attended courses at Rare Book School may be familiar with these accommodations. Fill out the online dormitory room reservation form to make your reservation.
All dorm rooms are provided with linens, including sheets and towels. Dorm rooms do not have telephones, internet or TV. Dorm rooms in Brown College are air conditioned and have private bathrooms. Rooms on the historic Lawn and Ranges do not have air conditioning and bathrooms are in a separate building.
Brown College: $50/night single; $36/night double
Lawn: $39/night single
Ranges: $39/night single
If you have questions about dorm room reservations, please see the General Information for Program Guests, e-mail conferenceservices@virginia.edu or call (434) 924-4479.
The Univesity of Virginia is located about a mile and a half from the Omni Charlottesville Hotel. A free municipal trolley (see map and schedule) and a municipal bus service (see map and schedule for our Route 7) offer alternatives to walking to events at the Omni on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. All conference sessions on Thursday will be held on the University grounds.
