Call for Proposals
Annual Calls for Proposals are issued for our Spring Institute for Youth Services Conference and our Annual Conference. Calls for Proposals for webinars, workshops, and additional resources are issued as needed. Review details of open and upcoming calls for proposals below.
MLA 2023 Annual Conference
The Michigan Library Association Annual Conference is the premier professional development and networking event for Michigan library staff and trustees.
The Michigan Library Association invites proposals for breakout sessions at the 2023 MLA Annual Conference to be presented in person, October 18 - 20, 2023, at the Radisson Hotel in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Breakouts are 60 minutes in length.
We are seeking breakout sessions from emerging thinkers that relate to our theme, "Connecting the Dots" We are looking for proposals that elevate the ideas of intellectual freedom, networking, equity, diversity, inclusion, collaboration, programming, management, and more. Submit your proposal and help us connect the dots between all library professionals.
This invitation extends to all library professionals and partners - from first-time to experienced presenters, as well as professional speakers and subject matter experts.
Final day to submit proposals: Friday, May 12, 2023
Selection notification: Friday, June 16, 2023
Speaker agreement due: Friday, July 28, 2023
Handouts due: Monday, October 2, 2023
Session Proposal Guidelines
Download the MLA 2023 Annual Conference Call for Proposal Guidelines (pdf)
- Speakers must be able to present in-person at the conference hosted October 18-20, 2023, at the Radisson Hotel, Kalamazoo. Sessions may be placed anytime during the conference. Speakers are not required to attend the conference beyond their session.
- Sessions are educational, generative, or inspirational in nature. Sales pitches of products or services will not be accepted.
- MLA reserves the right to edit or combine session proposals before acceptance.
- Contact information must be provided for all speakers.
- The submitter may or may not also be the presenter. Either is acceptable. You do not need to be an MLA member to submit.
Evaluation Criteria
The MLA Annual Conference workgroup will use the following criteria in assessing the viability of including a program in the schedule. The work group retains the right to reject, modify, or combine proposals.
- Purpose: Does the proposal clearly identify a goal and takeaways for the audience? Audience: Is the target audience clearly identified?
- Practicality: Is the topic appropriate for a conference breakout session in content and target audience?
- Engagement: Will the presentation and presenter(s) keep the audience’s focus and attention through clear speech, engaging visuals, useful and relatable content?
- Timeliness/ Relevance: Is the topic of current interest, bringing new ideas and a fresh perspective to its intended audience and theme?
- Qualifications: Does the speaker(s) have sufficient or relevant experience to present on the proposed topic?
Agreements and Selection Notification
- MLA will contact each presenter in writing with the workgroup’s acceptance decision
- MLA will send all individual presenters a Presenter Agreement indicating date, time, and details of their presentation. This must be confirmed by the presenters and returned to MLA.
Handouts
- Handouts will be added to the event website and mobile app. Examples of handouts may be, but are not limited to: presenter contact information, a list of additional resources, a copy of presentation slides, or related worksheets.
- Printed handouts are not distributed on-site by MLA. Presenters may provide hard copies of handouts if desired at their own cost.
Deadlines and Due Dates
- Friday, May 12, 2023 — Final day to submit proposals. This deadline is firm and will not be extended.
- Friday, June 16, 2023 — Selection notifications distributed via email from MLA to all presenters.
- Friday, July 28, 2023 — Presenter agreements due to MLA office.
- Monday, October 2, 2023 — Handouts received for posting on MLA website and mobile app
- Wednesday – Friday, October 18-20, 2023 — MLA 2023 Annual Conference, Radisson Hotel, Kalamazoo
Program AV & Room Setup
- All presentation rooms will be supplied with an HDMI-connected projector, screen, and podium with microphone at no cost to the presenter.
- Wi-Fi internet will be in each presentation room however, MLA cannot guarantee the speed and dependability of the services at any given time.
- Presenters must provide their own laptops to access their presentations from a flash drive, cloud, etc. Remote mouse devices/pointers are the responsibility of the presenter. If presenters chose to bring their own computer that does not connect to an HDMI cable, they will be responsible for providing their own connection cables or adapter.
- Rooms are typically sat theatre style. MLA will take every effort to make sure the presentations rooms are set up according to needs of presentation.
Disclaimers
- All speakers must agree to the following statements:
- I understand I will not be reimbursed or compensated for presentation time, mileage, or any other expense related to my participation in the conference.
- I agree to adhere to MLA's Code of Conduct.
- I will be responsible for registering and paying for the conference if I plan on attending other sessions or events beyond my allotted presentation time.
- I will be required to provide my own computer or tablet during the presentation time.
Questions
Please feel free to contact MLA’s Program and Event Director Amber Sheerin or Conference Chair Dillon Geshel with any questions you may have prior to your submission.
|
