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

Agricultural Libraries Discussion Group

Theme: "Worldwide Trends in Open Access to Agricultural Information"

The IFLA Agricultural Libraries Discussion Group in association with IAALD (International association of agricultural information specialists) invites papers to be presented at a two-hour session to be held at the World Library and Information Congress: 75th IFLA General Conference in Milan, Italy, 23-27 August 2009.

Papers should be based on facts rather than theoretical aspects focusing on any of the facets of the theme. Issues to be addressed include:

Barriers to Open Access to agricultural information in the country/region
Efforts of universities and research institutes in the country providing Open Access to agricultural information and literature
International agricultural research institutes and Open Access
Obstacles in accessing agricultural information generated by private agencies
Efforts of national agricultural research funding bodies in facilitating Open Access
Role of international organizations such as IDRC, FAO, CGIAR in accelerating Open Access.
National agricultural libraries/information centers in support of Open Access
Emerging policies and mandates governing Open Access in the country/region

Submissions

Potential authors may submit their proposal on any of these aspects for consideration.

The deadline for submitting a detailed abstract (max 500 words) along with full author details is 31 December 2008. Upon review of the abstracts, selected presenters will be notified by mid February 2009.

Full paper is due on 30 April 2008 and must be original not published elsewhere
Abstracts and full papers should be submitted by email
Papers should be of 10 pages maximum, single spaced
Papers should be in English with a one-page abstract
Each presenter would be allowed 20 minutes for a summary delivery of the paper
The presenter should not read the paper
The author(s) should indicate personal full contact details and include summary curriculum vitae with the paper

Please note that all fees, including registration to the conference, travel, accommodation etc. are the responsibility of the authors.

Please submit your proposal by 31 December 2008 to:

Deva Eswara Reddy, PhD
Associate Professor of Library Science
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX, USA
Tel. +(1)(979)8621062
Fax +(1)(979)4580112
E-mail: dereddy@tamu.edu