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 Spring Institute for Youth Services 2021: Call for Breakout Session Program Proposals

Submissions welcome through December 31, 2020

MLA Spring Institute for Youth Services 2021
*Sparking Connection and Possibilities*
March 11 – 12, 2021

Current circumstances have made our world both shrink and grow. Virtual services mean we can reach a wider audience in new ways. Join us for a conference sure to spark your creativity and energy in making youth library programs and outreach possible for all at Spring Institute 2021. All topics are welcome to be proposed.  Examples could be, but not limited to: virtual programming, early literacy, diversity, grants/fundraising, music, personal development, avoiding burnout, creative solutions, collections, and management.

The conference will work to achieve the following goals and outcomes through its programs:

  • Provide quality professional development for those serving youth (ages 0 – 18) in libraries.
  • Enable an opportunity for those serving youth in libraries to exchange relevant, actionable knowledge through networking.
  • Revitalize and inspire those serving youth in libraries.

Agreements and Selection Notification

  • MLA will contact each program’s submitter regarding acceptance and scheduled time by January 20, 2020.
  • MLA will send all listed presenters a Presenter Agreement indicating date, time, and details of their presentation. This must be confirmed by each presenter and returned to MLA by February 5, 2021.

Program Submission General Guidelines

  • Program submitter may or may not also be the presenter.
  • Communications by MLA will be to all members who are a part of your submission. Contact information is required for each presenter.
  • Presenters are not reimbursed or compensated for time or expenses.
  • Presenters must register as an attendee for Spring Institute if they intend to stay beyond their allotted presentation time.

Technical Requirements

  • The conference will be hosted on the Hopin event platform. Tutorials and instructions are available at https://support.hopin.to/en/
  • MLA will provide specific event instructions to each presenter ahead of the event.
  • Presenters must have a webcam, microphone, and reliable internet connection.

Program Handouts

  • Handouts will be posted to on Hopin and must be submitted by February 26, 2020.
  • Please submit handouts as a PDF to [email protected]

Selection Criteria

The Spring Institute work group will use the following criteria in assessing the viability of including a program on the schedule. The work group retains the right to reject, modify, or combine proposals.

Purpose: Does the proposal clearly identify a goal and outcome(s), and are those in line with goals and outcomes of the conference as a whole?

Audience: Is the target audience clearly identified?

Clarity: Is the proposal easy to understand with technological or industry jargon explained, if necessary, and correct grammar and professionalism?  Does the proposal clearly state concrete & specific topics/themes that you’ll be highlighting?

Practicality: Is the topic appropriate for a conference breakout session in content, time, audience?

Timeliness/Relevance: Is the topic of current interest, bringing new ideas and a fresh perspective to its intended audience and conference theme?

Qualifications: Does the speaker(s) have sufficient background experience to present on said topic?

Timeline (on or before)

December 31, 2020—Final day to submit program proposals

January 20, 2021—Selection notifications emailed from MLA to program presenters

February 5, 2021—Signed presenter agreements are due back to MLA

February 26, 2021—Handouts received for posting on MLA website/Hopin

March 11-12, 2021—Spring Institute Conference

Questions

Please feel free to contact the work group chair Sara Magnuson or Amber Sheerin with the Michigan Library Association at [email protected] with any questions you may have prior to your submission.

Submit A proposal