Call for Proposals: “Reinventing Libraries”
THE DIGITAL SHIFT: REINVENTING LIBRARIES
A Virtual Event presented by Library Journal and School Library Journal
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Since 2010, Library Journal and School Library Journal have produced a successful full-day program tackling the challenges presented by ebooks and the digital transition’s impact on libraries, their communities, and related stakeholders. As planning begins for our October 2013 event under the theme of “Reinventing Libraries,” we’re also reinventing our approach to programming with an open call for proposals.
Do you have a vision for the future of the library and have ideas on how to connect to that future? If you’re a librarian serving children or adults in any library setting; focused on collection development or technology infrastructure; or partner with libraries in innovative ways, we invite you to submit your program proposals for our October 16, 2013 event.
Reinventing Libraries is a broad theme, and some of the areas we’re particularly interested in exploring include:
- Rethinking physical space
- MOOCs
- Maker spaces
- Marketing & community engagement
- Optimizing discovery
- Ebooks/POD (print on demand)
- Self-publishing
If you have a proposal for a session you’d like to see on the program this year, whether it’s based on one of the above topics or something else, we’d love to hear from you. And if you’re interested and able to program and moderate that session, please be sure to indicate that.
How to submit a successful proposal
We’re looking for discussions and presentations that will help our attendees get up-to-date insights on new technologies and services; understand the latest developments in the publishing industry and how they impact libraries; and/or offer practical strategies to overcome critical challenges to accomplishing their respective missions.
- Provide a clear description of what attendees will learn. Whether your proposed session seeks to explain an emerging trend or teach a critical skill, you must provide a direct, concise description of what attendees will learn. We cannot emphasize this enough—be very clear in your proposal about what you will be presenting.
- Focus on lessons learned, NOT the benefits of your product or service. Product pitches will be rejected. Lessons learned from building or running your product, however, can be invaluable.
- Skip the jargon. The more buzzwords and industry jargon you use, the less we think you have something interesting to say.
Session formats
The virtual event format has certain inherent limitations that should be kept in mind, and access to a reliable internet connection and the appropriate OS/Browser combinations are a must.
We are accepting proposals for the following formats:
- 45 minute panel discussions – these can be an interview-style discussion between two speakers, or a panel discussion/debate with two or more presenters and a moderator
- 15-minute presentations – these can be solo presentations focused on practical solutions or visionary ideas
The submission deadline for all proposals is April 22nd.
SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL TODAY
