When: April 7-8, 2014
Where: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Proposals are now being accepted for the First National Personal Librarian & First Year Experience Library Conference, a 2-day event focused on all aspects of the first year experience and the personalization of outreach and services for incoming students. The conference will be hosted by the Kelvin Smith Library, Case Western Reserve University.
The inaugural conference will focus on starting library initiatives to support first year students, assessing outcomes of services and resources, and building the collaborative relationships throughout the organization to prepare a holistic approach to student success and retention.
The 2 days will feature 1-2 keynotes and/or panel discussions, surrounded by a number of concurrent sessions organized around proposed tracks of interest. Participants are welcomed from all types of organizations and levels of staffing. Programming will be offered to improve established programs or prepare for a new initiative.
We are accepting proposals for 45-minute concurrent sessions organized by tracks, 1½-hour panel discussions, and poster presentations. We welcome all proposals for consideration. We are particularly interested in sessions that consider:
- “Personal Librarian” services, such as direct interactions, custom experiences, etc.
- Starting new programs or initiatives
- Views and goals of campus administrators
- Student stories & testimonies
- How to measure impact & success; assessment methods
- Staffing models
- Relationship building (internal & external to library)
- Overall role within a larger information literacy instruction program
- Events, programs, orientations, etc.
- Challenges & concerns
- Marketing & communication
- The “future” and next generation program
- Diversity issues and approaches
- Developing relationship with parents
Submission Guidelines and Selection Criteria
- Concurrent sessions: 45 minutes
- Could include hands-on activities, case studies, white papers, demonstrations, and/or panel presentations.
- Panel discussions: 90 minutes
- Focused on a larger topic that requires perspective from multiple people and/or organizations.
- Would also typically include 10-15 minutes for questions and answers.
- Posters
- Could include case studies, white papers, or demonstrations.
- A few slots will be available for digital posters or demonstrations using Mondopads or classroom technologies.
Submissions must include:
- Proposed session title
- Presenters’ names, titles, and affiliations
- Brief abstract (200-300 words) that would be acceptable for the conference program and website
- Longer description, approximately 500-600 words
- Brief statement on learning outcomes & expected audience
- Technology, physical space, or other requirements
Submissions will be evaluated based on the relevance of the topic and potential to advance thinking about personal librarian and first year experiences. Acceptance will be competitive, and conducted by a conference committee consisting of Kelvin Smith Library employees and virtual committee members from several university libraries involved in personal librarian and/or FYE programs.
Registration costs will be the responsibility of each attendees and presenters, and will not be covered by the conference organizers.
Submit proposals:
Submit questions to: Brian Gray (bcg8@case.edu)
Important Future Dates
January 31, 2014: Proposal submission deadline
early February: Attendee registration opens
February 17, 2014 (tentative): Notification of acceptance
February 24, 2014 (tentative): Selected presenters must confirm participation
end of February: formal program announced
March 17, 2014: Registration deadline
