Session Formats

Contributed Papers
The Contributed Papers Committee invites research and position papers that challenge current assumptions and provoke conference participants to think creatively about issues facing academic and research librarians. Papers may report the results of completed research, describe research in progress, or present a position on a compelling problem or issue in one or more of the conference tracks. Research papers should present the problem, methodology, and conclusions. Conference themes will provide a construct for organizing the papers into groups, but authors may propose works that cross themes. Papers will be paired and each paper must be delivered in about 20 minutes, allowing 10 minutes for questions within a 60–minute time slot for both papers. Completed papers should be about 2,500 words and should be scholarly, well organized, clearly written, and rigorously argued. Completed papers must be provided no later than December 19, 2008. Please note that at the conference, presenters are expected to discuss their ideas rather than read their papers. All accepted papers will be published on the Web and as part of the print conference proceedings.

Student Paper Award: Up to two research papers authored by library school students will be selected for the ACRL Student Paper Award. Winners receive $500 and complimentary conference registration.

The deadline for submission is May 12, 2008.

Panel Sessions
Panel sessions are one-hour, moderated presentations by two to three presenters that allow the participants to address an issue of concern to academic or research librarians. These sessions should be geared to helping attendees understand multiple perspectives on a topic through active participation. Panelists may wish to debate each other, pose questions to the audience or each other, or otherwise help the audience engage actively. Sessions will be selected for presentation based on clarity of the issue, clear proposals on topics that will pique the interest of attendees and allow for active audience participation, and the contribution to an overall balance in coverage of the conference themes.

The deadline for submission is May 12, 2008.

Workshops
Workshops are four-hour sessions that provide three contact hours of active and in depth learning and one mandatory one hour break to visit the poster sessions and exhibits. Participants will engage an issue, learn a new skill, or develop an action plan or other activity where hands-on learning is integral. Proposals will be selected for the conference based on timeliness of the topic and the degree of active learning. Proposals should allow for significant involvement and contribution to the learning process from the participants. The learning experience should be co-creative and encourage the participants to take risks, question assumptions and fully engage in the learning process. Sessions will be limited to 60 participants in order to provide a meaningful environment for active learning.

The deadline for submission is May 12, 2008.

Preconferences
Preconferences are half-day or full-day programs that focus on a particular subject of interest to academic and research librarians. These programs should allow participants to develop a skill on a specific topic and should focus on interactive learning using a variety of presentation styles. Preconferences that offer practical tips and cutting-edge techniques, as well as programs that address one or more of the conference’s theme, are especially encouraged. Preconferences have separate registration fees, so please contact Margot Conahan at ACRL (312-280-2522; msutton@ala.org) during the development of your proposal in order to develop a budget for your session.

The deadline for submission is May 12, 2008.

Poster Sessions
Poster sessions are informal presentations featuring successful solutions to problems and unique and innovative library-based projects with important lessons for the academic and research library community. Posters may use graphics, tables, charts, and handouts. These interactive sessions will be scheduled in a single time block. Each poster session presentation should last about ten minutes, including time for questions from the audience. All presenters should be prepared to repeat their presentation several times. Poster sessions will be located in the conference exhibits area. Since space is limited at a poster session, a maximum of two presenters per presentation at any one time is recommended.

The deadline for submission is October 20, 2008.

Roundtable Discussions
Informal, small group discussion sessions will give attendees the opportunity to network, share information, and solve common problems. Facilitators are sought to identify and develop a topic, facilitate discussion, and ensure a core group is in attendance to deliver useful content. The role of facilitators is to keep the group focused, encourage creative thinking, and keep everyone involved in the discussion. After introducing the topic and giving the group some questions to start with, your job will be to guide the discussion, not to give a program or prepared lecture on the topic (for that reason, all audio and visual presentations are discouraged). Roundtables will take place in the exhibits area and are limited to 10 individuals per table, including participants and facilitator.

The deadline for submission is November 23, 2008.