Call for ProposalsAnnual 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 2023The 2023 Spring Institute for Youth Services Workgroup is seeking education session and digital poster proposals, as well as individuals interested in participating as panelists, for the in-person event scheduled for March 30-31, 2023 at the Ann Arbor Sheraton Hotel. The 2023 theme is Sustaining Our Future: Working to Protect Communities, Relationships, Books, and Bodies. Education Session ProposalsSubmissions are welcome through December 2, 2022. MLA’s Spring Institute for Youth Services highlights the brilliance of Michigan’s library professionals every year. From early literacy to teen programs the work you do matters, and we want to help you showcase it. Submit your ideas and help take your library skills to the next level. Your program idea may extend the learning opportunities for library professionals across Michigan. Education Sessions are 60-minutes in length and may include 1-4 speakers or panelists. Proposals that address the theme will be given preference, but a variety of topics can be addressed including programming, displays, self-care, stress management, sustainability, grants and finance, early literacy, intellectual freedom, censorship and book challenges, equity and accessibility, and more. Call for Education Session Proposals Closes: December 2, 2022 Speaker Notification: December 22, 2022 Speaker Agreement Due: January 27, 2023 Handouts Due: March 9, 2023 SUBMIT A PROGRAM PROPOSALProgram Submission General GuidelinesDownload the MLA SI23 Call for Program Guidelines (pdf).
Agreements and Selection Notification
Handouts
Selection CriteriaThe MLA Spring Institute for Youth Services workgroup will use the following criteria in assessing the viability of including a poster or program in the schedule. The work group retains the right to reject, modify, or combine proposals. Additionally, preference will be given to proposals that connect to the 2023 theme Sustaining Our Future: Working to Protect Communities, Relationships, Books, and Bodies. 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 background experience to present on the proposed topic? Timeline
Program AV & Room Setup
Recording of Programs
QuestionsPlease feel free to contact MLA’s Program and Event Director Amber Sheerin or Jocelyn Levin, Spring Institute 2023 Conference Chair, with any questions you may have prior to your submission. Contact info: Amber Sheerin, Michigan Library Association: [email protected] Jocelyn Levin, Lyon Township Public Library: [email protected] Call for Digital Poster ProposalsDownload the MLA SI23 Call for Posters Guidelines (pdf) Are you working on a new project, but don’t have results ready to present a formal program? Have you worked on something really cool that you think others want to know about? Consider submitting a digital ‘poster’, where you can discuss important topics with peers in a fun and informal setting. Digital Posters are short videos, 5-minutes or less, that share an idea, program, or story about your library with the conference attendees. A good poster session focuses on one main theme, presents useful information, and is funny and engaging. It’s a great way to jump into presenting without building a full-blown program. SUBMIT A DIGITAL POSTER PROPOSALDigital Poster Submission General Guidelines
Agreements and Selection Notification
Selection CriteriaThe MLA Annual Conference workgroup will use the following criteria in assessing the viability of including a digital poster in the schedule. The work group retains the right to reject, modify, or combine proposals. Purpose: Does the proposal clearly identify one focus or idea? Practicality: Is the topic appropriate for a digital poster session in content and target audience? Engagement: Will the presenter(s) keep the audience’s attention through engaging visuals and useful or relatable content? Relevance: Is the topic of current interest, bringing new ideas and a fresh perspective to its intended audience and theme? Time Allotment: Can the idea or focus be addressed in 5 minutes or less? Timeline
Digital Poster Specifications
QuestionsPlease feel free to contact MLA’s Program and Event Director Amber Sheerin or Jocelyn Levin, Spring Institute 2023 Conference Chair, with any questions you may have prior to your submission. Contact info: Amber Sheerin, Michigan Library Association: [email protected] Jocelyn Levin, Lyon Township Public Library: [email protected] Call for PanelistsDownload the MLA SI23 Call for Panelists Guidelines (pdf) If you are interested in sharing your experiences with others or want some experience speaking to an audience, this might be a great fit for you! Our panel conversations will discuss ‘Scaling and Failing Ideas’. Each panel will feature 3-5 different speakers who will have the opportunity to share their experiences for 5-10 minutes and engage in audience discussion and Q&A. Ultimately, we need you. In turn, this is an excellent opportunity for you to develop as a library professional, and to have a definitive positive impact on the library community. CALL FOR PANELISTS FORMPanelist General Guidelines
Panel Conversation DetailsPanel 1: Epic FailsDid you had an idea, program, initiative, or concept that sounded great on paper, but fell apart in reality? Did you experience an #epicfail that your coworkers and you can laugh about now? Join the panel to tell the story of your ‘fail’, share a few laughs with those who understand, and hopefully pass on your hard learned lessons to others. Panel 2: Scaling Programs for Small LibrariesConferences are filled with great ideas, but sometimes limited resources, staff time, and money can make big program ideas difficult for small libraries to implement. Have you been successful at scaling a program to fit your community needs? We are seeking panelists from a variety of libraries to share how they made the most of limited resources to lead successful programs that other libraries might also be able to replicate. Agreements and Selection Notification
Selection CriteriaThe MLA Spring Institute for Youth Services workgroup will use the following criteria in assessing the viability of including a panelist in the conversation. Qualifications: Does the proposed panelist have sufficient background experience to present on the proposed topic? Perspective: Does the proposed panelist offer a unique perspective on the proposed topic? Timeline
AV & Room Setup
Recording of Programs
QuestionsPlease feel free to contact MLA’s Program and Event Director Amber Sheerin or Jocelyn Levin, Spring Institute 2023 Conference Chair, with any questions you may have prior to your submission. Contact info: Amber Sheerin, Michigan Library Association: [email protected] Jocelyn Levin, Lyon Township Public Library: [email protected] |