Literacy and Reading Section

The Literacy and Reading Section of IFLA is in the process of planning for the International Federation of Library Associations' (IFLA) World Library and Information Congress to be held in Helsinki, Finland from August 11-17, 2012. The selected theme for its session is "Libraries for Literacy: Linking generations, Empowering communities".

Program structure

Building on the conference theme and spinning off from the five sub-topics, the Literacy and Reading Section's conference program will address the role of librarians in both facilitating and leading change by linking all generations in the community to build local capacities and multiple literacies through library programs and services.

This is a Call for Papers to solicit people to share their experiences in case studies that demonstrate how librarians have made a difference in engaging young and senior members working together in their community and building literacy through the use of libraries.

The general format for the Literacy and Reading Section will include a keynote address on this topic, followed by three-papers chosen from the response to this Call for Papers. Time for questions and discussion will be built into the programme format for this session.

As we progress with the planning of the programme those who are selected to present will be given more information concerning the format and procedures for the programme.

Important Dates and Timelines

Please e-mail proposals for papers by January 16, 2012 to:

Elena Corradini
E-mail: ecorradini67@gmail.com and
Ray Doiron
E-mail: raydoiron@upei.ca

Proposals should include:

1. Title of proposed presentation;
2. Outline of the proposed presentation (no more than 300 words);
3. Name(s) of presenter(s);
4. Position or title of presenter(s);
5. Presenter(s) employer or affiliation;
6. Presenter(s) e-mail and mailing address.

Presenters will be advised by February 1, 2012 of the outcome of the review process and the final selection of proposals.

The presenters selected for the program at the Helsinki conference will be asked to submit a formal paper (for inclusion on the IFLA conference website and primarily for the proceedings on a CD-ROM and the Sections' websites) no later than May 1, 2012.

Papers may be submitted in one of the official IFLA working languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Russian, Spanish.

The language of the session is English but presenters may give their talk in any of the IFLA working languages. However, presenters are asked to provide the PowerPoint covering their presentation in English, to facilitate understanding of the ideas presented. Simultaneous translation is not guaranteed.

Speakers must present their papers at the conference, not only send them. Papers which is not presented will not be included in the proceedings nor on the website.