Lake Superior Libraries Symposium 2016: Call for Proposals

Our friends at Lake Superior Libraries Symposium (LSLS) are calling for breakout session proposals for their fifth annual conference, to be held on May 20, 2016 at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. Visit the LSLS site for more information or to submit a proposal by Thursday, March 17th.  Presenters will be notified of acceptance in early April.

While plenty of articles and conferences have focused on the future of libraries, LSLS is excited to highlight today’s top hits that rockin’ libraries have rolled out. These timeless tracks can help you meet the challenges you’re facing today. This year’s theme, “NOW That’s What I Call Libraries!” celebrates the inspiring, bold, and creative ways libraries are meeting their patrons’ needs.

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!  Possibilities for presentation topics include:

Top of the Charts

Tell us about your approach to trends in library services. How are you handling RDA or working with Bibframe? How do you prove your value – are there inputs or measurements that have caught the ear of your funding agency? Submit a proposal based on the latest, greatest challenges your library is facing.

Compilations + Super Groups + Special Guest Stars

Share your big, audacious, innovative project! Let’s get down to those programming, partnership, or technologically sick beats. Listen to the sweet, sweet harmony of collaboration. Submit a proposal that highlights your best mixtapes and mashups.

Independent Label

A rural librarian with aspirations to take your library from a little bit country to a little bit rock & roll? A solo artist in a giant library? We want to hear your successes on a small scale. Submit a proposal about the services or initiatives that we can take from the honky tonk to the Grand Ol’ Opry.

Headbangers Ball

HOT MIC! Getting a lot of feedback? Share how you were able to quit banging your head against the wall and break on through to the other side.

Successful breakout session presentations will be applicable to many types of libraries and showcase effective and innovative practices. 60-minute jam sessions should include 10-15 minutes of question and answer. Panel presentations, particularly those representing a diversity of library types, sizes, and/or locations, are strongly encouraged. All presenters will receive a discounted registration rate of $25.

Breakout session presenters should submit proposals at http://z.umn.edu/proposals. All proposals should be submitted by Thursday, March 17th. Presenters will be notified of acceptance in early April.

LSLS allows library staff to share their expertise, learn from their colleagues, and network to develop a stronger community of information professionals. Staff from all types of libraries are encouraged to attend. The event is organized and supported by library staff and educators from Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin; for a full list of our supporters, see http://lakesuperiorlibrariessymposium.com/about/supporters/.

For questions about proposals and submissions, please contact . A complete listing of speakers, agenda, and costs will be released in April.