Envisioning Post-pandemic Reference & Information Services and Supporting in a Shifting World

The IFLA Reference and Information Services Section (RISS) is seeking proposals for panels to be convened during their Open Session at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2022 in Dublin, Ireland.

The panel will be followed by a conversation with the audience Knowledge Café where they will be presenting a joint project to run a wider survey on developing metrics/assessment tools/values for Rare Books and Special Collections. Audience participation will be essential to this process, as we need to hear your input about the work.

Theme: “Connecting & Inspiring Reference and Information Professionals in a post-pandemic world”

The pandemic has forces libraries and information professionals to find innovative ways to help users with reference, research, and information requests and heightened the need to discontinue legacy practices related to reference services and staffing models.

This session is designed to spark a conversation about how best to respond to the shifting priorities and emerging trends. The panel discussion is an opportunity to hear various voices about differing perspectives and real-life experiences from librarians across the world in response to changing expectations of reference work and adapting to an altered reference and information landscape.

Participants will hear from the panelists and have a change to add to the discussion about how to sustain or change reference and information services in a post-pandemic world.

We would like to invite panels particularly, but not exclusively, on the following sub-themes:

  • New and virtual modes of services
  • New policies and/or services introduced during the pandemic
  • Trainings for new technological needs in references and information services

Each presentation will be 15 minutes and in English. Time for Q&A will be scheduled after the panel.

Proposals must be submitted in an electronic format and must include the following information:

  • Title of proposed presentation
  • Style of presentation (paper or panel)
  • Abstract of the proposed paper (no more than 500 words)
  • Name(s) of presenters and positions and or titles
  • Employer or affiliated institution
  • Contact information including email address and telephone number
  • Short biographical statement of no more than 100 words
  • Note a willingness to comply with the IFLA Authors’ permission form
  • Papers / PPTs will be published in IFLA’s online Library following conference
  • Confirmation that you can attend the IFLA congress and present in person if selected

Send proposal abstracts (500 words or less) by 30 April 2022 to Kimberley Bugg (kimberleybugg@gmail.com), PhD, RISS Chair.

Important dates:

  • 30 April 2022 (Saturday): Deadline for submission of abstract
  • 7 May 2022 (Saturday): Notification of acceptance
  • 9 July (Saturday): Deadline for submission of presenter information and final paper
  • 18 July 2022 (Monday): Deadline for submission of slides

Please note:

All panelist must be present to present during the Open Session in Dublin.

The paper must be an original submission not presented or published elsewhere. All papers that are presented at the WLIC 2020 will be made available online via the IFLA Repository under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.

Authors of accepted papers must complete the IFLA Authors’ permission form.

All expenses for attending the Satellite Meeting (e.g., travel, accommodation, etc.) are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. No financial support can be provided by IFLA.

Congress Participation Grants

List of opportunities for support is available on the Apply for Grants & Awards webpage.