Call for Proposals

MLA will now be using the Slideroom platform for proposal submission as well as some nominations and applications. This change aims to make it easier to review and organize proposals and applications, shorten the time it takes for applicants to receive a reply, and streamline our internal processes.

MLA’s Slideroom homepage will list all open programs; just select the application you wish to complete and set up a Slideroom account. You will be able to log in to this account to see updates and submit future applications and proposals. The application form will be very similar to past MLA applications, and full details can be previewed before beginning your application.

Please note that Slideroom will only accept one submission per email address. If you would like to submit multiple proposals, please use a second email address or have a co-presenter complete the form.

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.

Spring Institute for Youth Services 2027 Call for Proposals

Submissions are welcome through Friday, December 4, 2026.

Click here to view these guidelines as a PDF.

Submit a Proposal

The Current of Curiosity: Share your expertise and experiences with your peers! This year’s Spring Institute celebrates curiosity at every age and stage. From babies experiencing the world for the first time to teens exploring new interests and ideas, curiosity is at the heart of youth services. We aim to inspire one another while diving into the latest ideas and knowledge in professional development. Whether you’ve launched an innovative initiative, created a standout program, or found fresh ways to engage your community, we want to hear from you!

Spring Institute is the premier professional development and networking event for Michigan library youth and teen services professionals. Spring Institute thrives on your energy, creativity, and expertise. You spend all year spearheading new initiatives, discovering new ways to reach your community, and improving your professional skills. Now is the chance to showcase that work. Let’s inspire one another, explore new ideas, and see where our curiosity takes us.

Submit a proposal and help shape the conversation. Let’s explore, discover, and learn together!

There are two types of proposals:

Breakout Presentation: A 45-minute session for you or a panel to present on a library experience or to lead a structured discussion on a topic of your choice.
Hands-On Workshop: Lead a Library Program! Bring one of your favorite library programs to life by leading a hands-on workshop for your peers. Rather than presenting about the program, lead attendees through it just as you would at your library. You are the facilitator, and attendees are your patrons! As you guide attendees through the program in real time, share insights into what worked well, what you might improve, and any helpful tips or resources for bringing the program to their own communities. Think interactive, creative, and hands-on! Examples might include storytime activities, crafts or maker programs, STE(A)M experiments, sensory activities, technology programs, or other hands-on programs you offer at your library.

Session Proposal Guidelines

Proposals and presentations should reflect the original work, experiences, and ideas of the presenter(s) and should not be generated by artificial intelligence (AI).

Proposals must be submitted through the Call for Proposals form on the MLA website. Emailed submissions will not be accepted without prior approval.

You may submit multiple proposals, but you will need a different email address for each proposal. If submitting more than one proposal, we encourage each submission to offer a distinct topic, perspective, or learning experience rather than variations of the same session.

The submitter may or may not also be the presenter.

You do not need to be an MLA member to submit a workshop or present.

Presentations may not include sales pitches for specific products or services.

Presenters must be able to attend Spring Institute in person in Pontiac and be available to present at any scheduled time on either March 18 or 19, 2027.

Contact information is required for each presenter. MLA will publish the names, job title, organization, and a short biography of each presenter on the Spring Institute website, unless directed otherwise.

Presentations and Workshops are both 45-minutes long, including time for audience questions.

MLA will not reimburse or compensate for presentation time, mileage, or any other expense related to participation in the conference.

Presenters, including MLA members, must register and pay for the day(s) they attend Spring Institute if they plan to participate in any conference activities beyond their presentation.

Additional Workshop Submission Guidelines

Presenters should plan to provide hands-on materials for a minimum of 30 participants. Materials will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional attendees may join the session as space allows, so presenters are encouraged to bring additional materials when feasible.

Include a draft of your program outline in your proposal. List relevant details such as: program timeline, hands-on portions, supplies, etc.

MLA will provide up to $50 toward supplies for each workshop. Presenters will coordinate with MLA staff in advance regarding the supplies needed for their workshop.

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?
Scalability: Does the proposal clearly address the scalability of the topic to different library sizes and communities?
Engagement: Will the presentation and presenter(s) keep the audience’s focus and attention through clear speech, engaging visuals, useful and relatable content?
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 regarding final decisions of the acceptance process by January 22, 2027.

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 by February 5, 2027.

Deadlines and Due Dates

Friday, December 4, 2026 — Final day to submit proposals.

Friday, January 22, 2027 — Selection notifications distributed via email from MLA to all presenters.

Friday, February 5, 2027 — Presenter agreements due to MLA.

Friday, March 12, 2027 — Handouts received for posting on MLA website.

Thursday, March 18 and Friday, March 19, 2027 — MLA 2027 Spring Institute, Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac

Handouts

Handouts will be added to the event website and mobile app. Examples of handouts may include, but are not limited to: presenter contact information, a list of additional resources, a copy of presentation slides, or related worksheets. Handouts are not required but are strongly encouraged.

Hard copies of handouts will not be printed or distributed by MLA. Presenters may provide hard copies of handouts if desired, at their own cost.

All handouts and presentation materials should be submitted in PDF format to ensure they can be easily accessed through the event website and mobile app.

All presentation materials will be due to MLA by March 12, 2027 and will be posted to MLA’s website and the event mobile app.

Program AV & Room Setup

All presentation rooms will be supplied with an HDMI connected PC laptop, projector, screen, and microphone. Presenters may provide their own laptops or use the provided laptops. All presenters are required to use a microphone for accessibility.

Wi-Fi internet will be in each presentation room. However, MLA cannot guarantee the speed and dependability of the services at any given time.

Remote mouse devices/pointers are the responsibility of the presenter. If presenters choose to bring their own computer that does not have an HDMI connection, they will be responsible for providing their own cables or adapter.

Room setups will vary based on session type, space, and venue availability.

Questions

Please contact MLA Event Coordinator,Mackenzie Hanfland, or Lydia Schmidt, Spring Institute 2027 Conference Chair, with any questions you may have prior to your submission. Contact info:

Mackenzie Hanfland, Michigan Library Association: [email protected]

Lydia Schmidt, Hackley Public Library: [email protected]