MLA ‘08 Blog

MLA will staff a luggage check during the times listed below. Please note location changes each day. Cost is $1 per item.

Tuesday, May 20
8:00 AM- 6:00 PM
Grand Ballroom Coat Check, East Tower, Gold Level

Wednesday, May 21
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Columbus, East Tower, Gold Level

MLA is not responsible for items left at the luggage check. Please be sure to pick up your items prior to close time.

MLA will provide a free shuttle to/from the annual meeting for MLA members staying Hotel Orrington. One of the advantages of riding the shuttle is to get a glimpse into Chicago’s urban landscape. This article is meant to give shuttle riders a glimpse of what to expect on their ride between the two hotels.

Shuttle Route Highlights

The Hotel Orrington shuttle is likely to follow a travel route similar to the one used by Northwestern University to move faculty, staff and students between its Evanston and Chicago campuses. Here are some highlights of that trip . . .

When the shuttle leaves the Hotel Orrington it will head south and may pass through Evanston neighborhoods with graceful, stately homes from the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. One notable home is the Dawes House, on Greenwood and Lake Shore Boulevard, now home to the Evanston History Center. Dawes was Vice President of the United States under Calvin Coolidge and served in office between 1925 and 1929.

After leaving Evanston, the shuttle route will follow the Lake Michigan shore line and proceed through some typical Chicago neighborhoods. Starting from the Evanston-Chicago border, the shuttle will pass through the East Rogers Park, Edgewater, Margate Park, and Uptown neighborhoods. Riders will see typical Chicago neighborhoods with 1920’s-era houses , small apartment buildings, and neighborhood stores and businesses located on the main drag, namely Sheridan Road.

The shuttle will likely pass Loyola University’s Lake Shore Campus (its main campus) and turn towards Lake Michigan. Between Loyola’s campus and Hollywood Avenue, Sheridan Road passes through a canyon of high-rise condo towers. This stretch of land is about the only place where private land is directly on the Lake Michigan shore. At Hollywood Avenue, the shuttle bus may take south-bound Lake Shore Drive, or the Outer Drive. Riders will get a close look at Lake Michigan and the parkland along its shore. Inland are more high-rise residential buildings facing the lake.

The shuttle will continue through Uptown, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and the near-northside neighborhoods of Gold Coast or Streeterville. Look out for the boat harbors at Montrose, Belmont and Diversey Avenues. At Fullerton Avenue, one will begin to see Lincoln Park, including its zoo and several park facilities and playgrounds.

After rounding the curve by Oak Street Beach and East Lake Shore Drive, the shuttle will pass by Northwestern’s Chicago Campus, home to its Law School, the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Crossing the Chicago River, on your left will be Lake Point Tower, a stunning example of late 20^th century architecture with its curving glass façade, and next to it Navy Pier with its huge Ferris Wheel. On your right you will see a great panorama of Chicago architecture, including Wrigley Tower and the new Trump Tower under construction. The shuttle will likely exit Lake Shore Drive at East Wacker Drive, and in no time you’ll be at the front door of the Hyatt Regency.

Enjoy the Ride!

The shuttle ride will provide ample opportunities to network with colleagues as you take in views of the Chicago skyline, its neighborhoods and Lake Michigan. Enjoy and make the best of your travel time.

-Jim Shedlock

For members staying at the Hotel Orrington, MLA will provide a free shuttle to/from the annual meeting at the Hyatt Regency. It is also possible to take public transportation between the two hotels. Allow around an hour for the trip.

The Davis Street stop on the CTA Purple Line is three blocks west of the Hotel Orrington. Trains run approximately every 6-12 minutes throughout most of the day (pdf schedule). The CTA train costs $2 per ride; purchase a fare card at the station.

Going to the Hyatt

Traveling southbound on Purple Line trains, the line usually ends at Howard, where you will need to transfer to a Red Line train to get downtown. The exception is during weekday morning rush hours, when express commuter trains run on the Purple Line all the way from Davis into the Loop (and back again in the evening).

• During morning rush hour . . . Board a train headed south towards the Loop (they run approximately every 15 minutes). Get off at the State & Lake stop. Walk north one block to Wacker Drive and turn right. It’s about three blocks to the Hyatt.
• Outside of rush hour . . . Take the Purple Line train south towards Howard. At Howard (the end of the line), transfer to a Red Line train headed south towards 95th Street (and the Loop). Exit at the Lake Street subway station. Walk north one block to Wacker Drive and turn right. It’s about three blocks to the Hyatt.

Returning to the Hotel Orrington

From the Hyatt, walk to the CTA train station at State & Lake, in the Loop.

• During evening rush hour . . . catch the Purple Line express train headed north towards Linden. Exit at the Davis Street stop and walk three blocks east to the Hotel Orrington.
• Outside of rush hour . . . Board a Red Line train headed towards Howard. At Howard (the end of the line) transfer to the Purple Line. Exit at the Davis Street stop.

If you’re leaving very early or late, when trains are less frequent (or stop running), be sure to check the schedule online or pick up a paper copy at the station.

MLA will offer a free shuttle between the Hotel Orrington and the annual meeting at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago. The schedule is now available on the MLA ‘08 website.

The MLA shuttle will operate between the two hotels from Saturday morning through Wednesday morning. For members attending Friday CE courses, MLA will help to coordinate shared taxi rides. Members can also take the CTA Purple Line train (see our post with directions).

MLA advises members to allow for a minimum of 45 minutes ride time during peak traffic hours. While traffic is not likely to be as much of an issue on Saturday and Sunday, during morning rush hour (Monday to Wednesday) roads will be more congested. Be prepared, and take advantage of the time to network with colleagues and enjoy the views of Chicago and Lake Michigan.

Hotel accommodations are a significant expense associated with attending the MLA Annual Meeting. Sharing a room with a colleague can make the meeting more affordable, and sometimes even more fun.

Do you have a room reservation at the Hyatt or Hotel Orrington that you’re willing to share? Are you looking for another like-minded librarian to share with?

There are many ways to find a roommate. Seek out local colleagues who are also traveling to Chicago. Post a request to MEDLIB-L or another medical librarian list-serv. In response to your requests, the Local Assistance Committee also invites you to use the comments feature on the MLA ‘08 blog. Leave a comment/reply to this post with your information, and check back often for potential connections.

As we mentioned in a previous post, Chicago hotel rooms are going fast for the week of the Annual Meeting. Currently, MLA’s hotel room block at the Hyatt is sold out for one night–Sunday, May 18th.

In response, MLA has secured a block of rooms at the Hotel Orrington, 1710 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, Illinois. The MLA group rate is: single/double, $209; triple, $219; and quad, $229 plus tax. Including tax, the total cost for a single/double room is $235.87 per night.

The historic Hotel Orrington is located 30 minutes North of the Hyatt. MLA will provide complimentary shuttle service for the drive along Chicago’s scenic lakefront to/from the Hyatt. It’s more than just transportation; take advantage of the trip to network with other attendees and extend your conference experience.

To make a reservation, call 888.677.4648 or 847.866.8700, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and ask for the group reservations department. Mention the Medical Library Association to receive the group rate. Or make your reservation online

Visit MLANET for more information on Hotel Orrington and transportation options.

There are many meetings that come to Chicago and one of the biggest is the National Restaurant Association (including the International Wine, Spirits and Beer Event), on May 17-20 this year. Their website makes reference to an expected 74,000 attendees! What this means to you is a rush to find a hotel room . . .

If you’re coming to Chicago this year, reserve room at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, MLA’s annual meeting site, either online or by calling 888-421-1442. With competition from 74,000 visitors, there will not be many alternative options. While there are plenty of rooms at the Hyatt, hotel management will likely receive pressure to open uncommitted rooms to other visitors. So, be smart and plan ahead and register ASAP!

Still undecided about attending this year’s meeting? Take a few minutes to check out MLA’s preliminary program and review the scheduled speakers, CE courses, and presentations. Early-bird registration is open until April 11th.

And remember, if you have any questions about visiting Chicago and attending the meeting, your Local Assistance Committee is here to help!