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 Idea Exchange
Some of the key ingredients for a successful library program or service are creative ideas, measurable goals, dedicated staff, and community need, but what does the recipe for your best ideas look like?
The 2023 Annual Conference workgroup is requesting proposals for our Idea Exchange Food for Thought, hosted at the evening reception from 6:30 – 8:30 PM on Thursday, October 19 at the Kalamazoo Public Library. Are you working on a new project, but don’t have results ready to present a formal program? Have you worked on something that you think others want to know about?
This show and share event will inspire attendees to think outside the box and give them the recipes needed to integrate your ideas in their own libraries. This is an excellent opportunity for you to develop as a library professional, and to have a definitive positive impact on the library community. Submit your ideas and help take your library skills to the next level. Your idea may extend the learning opportunities for library professionals across Michigan.
We know that:
- Michigan libraries, librarians, and library workers are doing amazing and awesome things
- We all love to see and hear about what has been successful for others
- “Borrowing” ideas is the norm
- Not all ideas or projects translate into a full breakout session
What Is an Idea Exchange?
- Your chance to talk about and share what you are doing in a more informal setting than a breakout session or traditional poster
- Highlights your new initiatives, new ways you are reaching your audience, new ways you are improving your skills, great programs and programming ideas, anything you think others will find value in learning about
- Like a recipe exchange gives you instructions for new dishes, our Idea Exchange provides the information participants need to implement new and exciting projects at their libraries.
What Does an Idea Look Like?
- Be creative! Your idea is different than another person’s so there is no one size fits all here. Your idea could be presented in a poster format, tablet interaction, handouts, puppets or anything that you can dream up.
- This is your chance to chat about your idea. Be ready to have something to show, share, interact and talk about during your time. Expect a strolling audience where people come and go the entire time.
- Include a recipe card handout for attendees to take with them. The recipe is up to you, but may include your identified needs, intended audience, steps to launching, and the benefits experienced.
- Each Idea will receive a 6-foot table. You choose how to use it!
Food for Thought spots are limited. Selection will include an attempt to balance audiences. The schedule is as follows:
Thursday, October 19, 2023
6:00 – 6:30 PM Setup
6:30 – 8:30 PM Idea Exchange
8:30 – 9:00 PM Teardown
Selection Criteria
- Purpose: Does the proposal clearly identify a goal and takeaways for the audience?
- Practicality: Is the topic appropriate in content for an Idea Exchange and target audience?
- Timeliness: Is the topic of current interest, bringing new ideas and a fresh perspective?
- Engagement: Is the topic interesting and engaging?
Dates of Interest
- Thursday, July 27 — Call for Idea Exchange proposals open
- Friday, August 25 — Idea Exchange submissions due
- Friday, September 8 — Exchange submitters notified
- Friday, September 22 — Food for Thought Ideas announced
- Thursday, October 19 6:30 - 8:30 PM — Food for Thought Idea Exchange at the Kalamazoo Public Library
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