CFP: 2012 Rural Libraries Conference
Connect, Collaborate, Create
Grand Traverse Resort May 2-4, 2012
Call for Programs
The Library of Michigan and the Rural Libraries Conference Program Committee encourage you to submit a proposal for the 2012 RLC to be held at the Grand Traverse Resort on Wednesday, May 2 – Friday, May 4, 2012. The Rural Libraries Conference has a long tradition of providing a forum for the staff, trustees, and advocates of Michigan’s small and rural libraries to share, learn and be inspired to provide the best library service to their communities. The 2012 RLC theme is Connect, Collaborate, Create. Let’s come together as a community to share our collective knowledge of imaginative, resourceful and successful library practices. How can you contribute? Bring your tried and true as well as your new and inventive practices to share with your Michigan library colleagues. If it’s working well for you, chances are good that others could benefit from hearing about it. We will be showcasing up to 30 presentations. The RLC Program Committee invites you to consider the following conference tracks as you design your program proposal:
o Administration - with Thursday as Trustee Day
o Services to Individual Populations (such as youth, seniors, the unemployed, entrepreneurs)
o Technology
o Programming and Readers’ Advisory
o Marketing and Advocacy
The goal of the conference is to integrate our current good practices with emerging trends, practices and goals.
Please consider the following topics as jumping-off points. Interest has already been expressed in seeing content on the following topics: social media, dealing with difficult staff or patrons, marketing using the 2010 census, and working with local governments.
Requirements of Presenters
Presenters will be required to:
o Provide an electronic copy of session materials that will be provided to all conference attendees.
The Library of Michigan will provide all presenters with:
o Full conference registration including all meals.
o One night’s lodging at the Grand Traverse Resort (or other hotel accommodation up to the state rate of $65 per night) per day of presenting.
Selection Criteria
Program selection is a peer-reviewed process. The RLC Program Committee will evaluate the content of your proposal for relevance to the conference tracks, clarity, originality, and timeliness. The experience and qualifications of presenter(s) will also be considered.
Deadline
Proposals must be submitted by November 11, 2011 in order to be considered for inclusion in the 2012 conference. Submit the application form (attached) via email to Sonya Schryer Norris at norriss2@michigan.gov. Please note that proposals with significant incomplete information will not be considered. The contact person for the proposal will be notified of the status of their proposal by January 13, 2012.
Instructions for Submitting Your Program Proposal
We need:
o Complete contact information for all speakers
o Program title
o Program track
o Length of program (one 75-minute session or two back-to-back sessions)
o Preferred date of program
o Program description
o A minimum of three learning outcomes
Please note that proposals with significant incomplete information will not be considered. It is your responsibility to make sure that your proposal is complete by the submission deadline.
Please note also that a program may not be an advertisement for a vendor or solely a demonstration of a product/service. Specific product/services may be used or described only if essential for a correct understanding of the topic being presented. Library staff currently using the product/service must participate in the presentation.
The Library of Michigan and the Rural Libraries Conference reserve the right to reorganize content, combine proposals, and make other changes as necessary to render the proposal appropriate for presentation at RLC.
Sonya Schryer Norris
Library of Michigan
P.O. Box 30007
702 W. Kalamazoo St.
Lansing, MI 48909
