Wednesday, February 13, 2013

CFP: LITA Forum 2013 (Louisville, Kentucky, November 7-10, 2013)

CFP: LITA Forum 2013 (Louisville, Kentucky, November 7-10, 2013)

Online Call: http://www.ala.org/lita/conferences/forum/2013

Due date for proposals: February 25, 2013

The 2013 National Forum Committee seeks proposals for high quality pre-conferences, concurrent sessions and poster sessions for the 16th annual LITA National Forum to be held in Louisville, Kentucky, November 7-10, 2013.

The 2013 theme is Creation, Collaboration, Community

The Forum Committee welcomes pre-conferences, presentations, and interactive programs related to all types of libraries: public, school, academic, government, special, and corporate. Proposals should relate to the themes of creation, empowering library users, collaboration, cooperation, and building or engaging communities.  Proposals may cover projects, plans, ideas, or recent discoveries. We accept proposals on any aspect of library and information technology.

The committee particularly invites submissions from first time presenters, library school students, and individuals from diverse backgrounds.

The Forum Committee is especially interested in presentations highlighting projects that involve the creation of library spaces, the maker movement, and innovative solutions to pragmatic problems.  It also encourages sessions that are hands-on. 

Possible ideas for topics might include:
  • Maker spaces/Maker Movement
  • Creation of New Library Spaces
  • Data Curation
  • Discovery
  • User Experience
  • Web Services
  • Coding 
  • Digital Libraries
  • Institutional Repositories
Presentations must have a technological focus and pertain to libraries. Presentations that incorporate audience participation are encouraged. Sessions can be full-day pre-conferences, concurrent sessions (50 minutes), or poster sessions. The format of the presentations may include single- or multi-speaker formats, panel discussions, moderated discussions, case studies and/or demonstrations of projects.

Vendors wishing to submit a proposal should partner with a library representative who is testing/using the product.

Presenters will submit draft presentation slides and/or handouts on ALA Connect in advance of the Forum and will submit final presentation slides or electronic content (video, audio, etc.) to be made available on the web site following the event. Presenters are expected to register and participate in the Forum as attendees; discounted registration will be offered.  


The online form will ask for:
  • Contact information
  • Title
  • Program Description (100 Words) (Please exclude any information identifying the presenter(s) or his/her/their organization.)
  • Participatory elements of the presentation
  • Level indicator (Introducing, Implementing, Innovating)
  • Brief biographical information
  • Whether you would like to consider a paper in ITAL based upon your talk
  • Do you agree to be streamed: yes or no
 You will be notified about the status of your proposal by mid-April, 2013

About Louisville:
Ranked as the #1 US travel destination for 2013 by Lonely Planet, Louisville is moving beyond its reputation for horses and bourbon and gaining a reputation as a cultural hotspot in its own right. With a dynamic, newly revitalized downtown area, vibrant food and arts scenes, and a variety of interesting museums, Louisville offers exciting travel opportunities for all types of visitors.

Any questions regarding the Forum?  Please contact the LITA Office: lita@ala.org; (312) 280-4268