Call for Submissions: Saskatchewan Libraries Conference 2019

October 26, 2018

The Saskatchewan Library Association (SLA) is a province-wide organization designed to further the development of library service in Saskatchewan. The vision of SLA is to build an engaged library and information community that is an active force in Saskatchewan’s social, economic, and cultural development. SLA supports the activities of all Saskatchewan libraries, including school, public, academic, and special libraries.

In 2019 the SLA Conference is being held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on May 2 and May 3.

Conference Theme – Libraries Transform

The theme of the conference for 2019 is Libraries Transform because transformation is essential to the communities we serve.

We invite you to join this conversation and share the ways you are transforming your communities, your libraries, or your roles in your libraries! The SLA Conference Planning Committee is looking for a range of sessions of interest to libraries of all kinds and all sizes. We encourage submissions from academic, public, school and special libraries, Library Boards and organizations that work alongside libraries to broaden our transformational capabilities. We are also interested in submissions from outside the library world that discuss topics like business plans, generational change, marketing, service models, etc.

New This Year

Research Stream: This stream will be highlighted in the conference program. Conducting, consulting, and using research is a key part of librarianship. Libraries in all sectors benefit from incorporating research evidence into day to day practice. This year, we especially welcome submissions with a research focus (for example research studies or projects, using research in practice, making time for research, etc.) in order to feature this important practice. The online submission form allows you to indicate if you’d like your proposed session (concurrent, panel, or Spotlight On) to be highlighted as part of the research stream.

We invite submissions for the following:

Concurrent Sessions: A 50-minute session to share ideas, programs, or research.

Spotlight On Sessions: A 50-minute session shared by up to 3 presentations; each having 15 minutes and sharing a final 5-minute Q & A.

Poster Sessions: Posters are a great way to share your ideas and research relating to specific programs and projects. There will be a set time to stand by your poster so attendees can inquire about your work.

Panel Sessions/ Participants: A 50-minute session will be led by a moderator with up to 3 panel participants and will include Q & A with the audience. Four topics have been selected that reflect the conference theme:

• Indigenizing libraries
• Social media & libraries
• Mental health & libraries
• Diversity & libraries

**For panel sessions, please contact michelle.dalidowicz@saskhealthauthority.ca indicating:

1. The topic of interest & your experience in the area
2. The level of involvement you would prefer:
   • As an individual participant on the panel OR
   • As an organizer of the panel

Please use the online submission form by December 3, 2018

Confirmation of Sessions
The Conference Program Committee will review all submissions. You will receive an email confirming your participation in the conference by mid-January. Program changes must be requested within the 2-week period following the confirmation of your presentation.

Conference Registration
All presenters must register for the conference as delegates if you are attending any portion of the conference other than your own presentation. Presenters receive a 1/3 discount on the regular conference rate.

If you have questions, please contact:

Dorothea Warren, Executive Director
Saskatchewan Library Association
15-2010 7th Ave.
Regina, SK S4R 1C2
slaexdir@sasktel.net
306.780.9413

(Via Saskatchewan Library Association)