World Library and Information Congress: 75th IFLA General Conference and Assembly

"Libraries create futures: Building on cultural heritage"

23-27 August 2009, Milan, Italy

Call for Papers

Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section

Theme: "Creativity and the Arts: Libraries Building on Multicultural Heritage"

The IFLA Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section invites librarians working in the fields of multiculturalism and library services to diverse cultural communities to submit proposals for its session in Milan, Italy. Today's libraries have become learning and information centers and also stewards of the cultural heritage of its community. The committee is seeking proposals on programmes that employ the performing arts, artistic expression or oral traditions to exchange knowledge and understanding of the diversity of cultures among people living in our global society.

The two-hour session entitled "Creativity and the Arts: Libraries Building on Multicultural Heritage", invites papers that explore:

Performing arts programmes that promote respect for cultural diversity and human creativity where oral or artistic expression in the form of traditional music, dance, theater or media encourages intercultural communication and understanding. All types of libraries are encouraged to apply.
Cultural heritage programmes and collections which provide a legacy of the intangible attributes of a group - culture, values and attitudes including knowledge, language, arts, rituals and performances - and promote a continuity of diversity of cultures among people living in our global society.
Cultural heritage programmes that ensures public engagement while promoting cross-cultural dialogue and understanding.
Exhibits, both physical or virtual, that reflect the underserved cultural and linguistic groups in the community and preserve significant cultural traditions.

Submissions

Please send an abstract of approximately 500 words, in English, French or Spanish, no later than 15 February 2009 to:

Tess Tobin
E-Mail: ttobin@citytech.cuny.edu
Please attach a summary curriculum vitae of the author/s including their name(s), contact details, professional affiliation(s) and a brief statement on their career(s).
Successful applicants will be notified by mid-March 2009.
Papers accepted will be due no later than 1 May 2009.
Papers should be submitted in English.
Papers should not be longer than 20 pages.
A maximum of 20 minutes will be allowed for the presentation of each paper during the Section's session in Milan. Please note, although every effort will be made to provide simultaneous interpretation into other IFLA languages, its availability may not be possible. Therefore, the presentations must be made in English. An author who feels uncomfortable presenting in English could ask a colleague to do so on their behalf.
At least one of the authors of the paper must present the paper.

Please note that the Programme Committee has no funds to assist prospective authors: abstracts should only be submitted on the understanding that the expenses of attending the Milan conference (including travel, expenses and conference fee) will be the responsibility of the author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted papers. Some national professional associations may be able to help fund certain expenses, and a small number of grants for conference attendance may be available.