Call for Proposals: ALAO Conference 2014

The Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO) Conference Planning Committee invites you to submit proposals for the 40th Annual Conference, which will take place on November 13-14, 2014 at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center in Sandusky, OH. The submission deadline for full-length sessions is May 30, 2014. Applicants are encouraged to develop sessions that show thoughtful consideration of this year’s conference theme, “Engagement, advocacy and outreach: Empowering our communities,” which seeks to explore how academic libraries and librarians empower our communities in all the ways that we do. We would love to learn about your ideas, experiences, solutions, and best practices – even those that yielded results that were different than expected!

Presentations may take the form of contributed papers, demonstrations, workshops, research results, panel discussions, etc. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

Engagement

• Library contributions to student retention and success 
• Rethinking our work and services to meet the needs of our communities
• Using spaces, exhibits, displays, and/or social media to engage users in new ways
• Creating innovative librarian/faculty partnerships in support of curricular initiatives

Advocacy

• Partnering with stake-holders and decision-makers to develop effective messages regarding library value
• Using data to inform academic library advocacy efforts
• Influencing higher education policy and legislation at local, state, and national levels

Outreach

• Collaborating with community and institutional partners
• Reaching special student populations (veterans, international students, distance learners, etc.)
• Programs and initiatives that have worked (or not!)

You may submit multiple proposals, however, no more than two will be included in the final program. Proposals are blind-reviewed for content, relevance to the conference theme, and overall appeal.

• Submit your proposal online.
• A concise, clearly written description and abstract will help the reviewers in evaluating your proposal.
• Need help? See our presentation guidelines web page for tips.
• Exclude the name of your institution, department and any personal names in the abstract to expedite the blind review process. You do not need to exclude this information in the brief description.
• Presenters will be contacted regarding your AV/technology requirements when your proposal is accepted.
• All presenters are responsible for their own registration and travel costs.
• The conference planning committee recommends you print a copy of the completed form for your records before submitting.
• Email confirmation from alao.cpc at gmail.com will be sent to each presenter - or lead presenter - upon successful proposal submission.
• If you do not receive confirmation, or have questions about your submission, please contact Diane Schrecker (Ashland University Library) via email: alao.cpc at gmail.com.

ALAO encourages library support staff and library student growth, career development, and participation in conference activities, and awards two presenter grants, one for support staff and the other for students. These grants (up to $150 each) are intended to assist with the costs incurred in preparing the presentation and modest travel costs associated with the presentation. Please note that only presenters of full-length sessions and posters selected for inclusion in the conference will be eligible for final consideration for the grant.

Additional information is available on the ALAO 2014 Conference website.