Call for Papers

Public Libraries Section

Theme:
Libraries in Networks: Creating, Participating, Co-operating

Date

8-9 August 2012

Location

Klaipeda, Lithuania

Sponsors

IFLA Public Library Section

The satellite conference will be held immediately prior to the World Library and Information Congress in Helsinki, Finland, August 2012.

Conference venue: Klaipeda, Ieva Simonaityte Klaipeda County Public Library

Organizers: IFLA Public Library Section,
Lithuanian Librarian's Association,
Ieva Simonaityte Klaipeda County Public Library,
Public Library of Klaipeda Municipality,
F. Bajoraitis Public Library of Silute District Municipality.

Partners: Martynas Mazvydas National Library of Lithuania,
The County Public Libraries Association (CPLA),
Lithuanian Municipal Public Libraries Association,
Klaipeda University Library.

Financial support: The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania and other sponsors.

Conference Theme and Focus

Public Libraries have traditionally worked together to manage and share resources and information, and initiate cooperative projects. Developments in technology have allowed for even greater collaboration and the creation of new networks.

However the concept of a library is changing. If public libraries are to remain relevant to their ever more sophisticated users they have to constantly re-invent themselves; implementing new services, investigating collaborative arrangements and flexible staffing models.

In delivering quality services public libraries are active partners in networks at all levels, raising their profile with government and the community. Through these initiatives public libraries are positioning themselves as places where original ideas are born, hot discussions happen and like-minded persons meet each other.

Public libraries are places where users can creatively solve many problems; develop abilities and competencies; find ideas for their business; and support their interests, life-long learning and well-being. In summary they inspire, inform and entertain.

In today's interconnected world no library operates in isolation. Through the growth of networks library users are at the centre of developing and sharing knowledge. Public Libraries can use this strength to advocate for their place as being necessary and irreplaceable.

General Themes

The conference organizers invite papers on the following issues:

  1. Networked libraries - what do they look like?
  • What qualities do libraries need to have if they want to be part of a network?
  • What are the key elements of successful collaboration?
  1. Looking ahead- new challenges and opportunities for networking
  2. The Library as a 'creative lab' providing opportunities for users to discover, explore and connect
  3. Collaboration and partnerships between public libraries and their communities

Participants will be invited to join in discussions, share best practice and network with colleagues attending this IFLA Satellite Meeting.

Target Audience

We welcome all librarians who are interested in the topic.

Proposals should include

  • Title of the presentation
  • Abstract of no more than 300 words
  • Author(s) name, professional affiliation, postal address, e-mail address
  • A brief biographical statement of no more than 50 words

Papers should be in English. The selection of papers is based on the abstracts.

The length of the presentations should be approximately 15 minutes and 5 minutes for questions and discussions.

Important Dates and Timelines

Your proposals should be sent no later than 15 March, 2012 to:

Dzeinara Kaunaite
E-mail: dzeinarak@gmail.com and to
Rebekka Pilppula
E-mail: rebekka.pilppula@jns.fi.

The proposals will be evaluated and notification of acceptance will be sent by April 15, 2012.

The presenters will be expected to submit the final version of their paper (in Microsoft Word, no longer than 2000 words) by May 30, 2012.

Conference Location

The satellite meeting will be held in Klaipeda, Lithuania.

The meeting venue, Ieva Simonaityte Klaipeda County Public Library, is in the centre of the city, within walking distance from a number of hotels.

Conference Language

The conference will be conducted in English. All papers and presentations will be required to be in English.

Registration Costs

Invited speakers and presenters will be required to pay the registration fee and their own travel, accommodation and associated costs.

The registration fee - 100 Euro.

The registration fee will cover the conference bag, a lunch, mid-morning and mid-afternoon refreshments, the conference dinner.

How to get to Lithuania and Klaipeda

The easiest and fastest way to get to Lithuania is by plane (there are airports in Palanga, Kaunas and Vilnius).

The airports have direct flights to all main cities in Europe and it is possible to reach any bigger city in the world with just one change of plane.

The Palanga International Airport is situated 25 km from Klaipeda (25 km.) and it is the closest airport to the conference venue.

Detailed information about flights:

The other way is to arrive to Klaipeda by ferry or train.

International ferry terminal is situated 18 km away from the city centre.

Detailed information about regular ferry lines Kiel - Klaipeda, Sassnitz - Klaipeda (Germany), Karlshamn - Klaipeda (Sweden):
DFDS Seaways Service

Detailed information about train: Lithuanian Railways

Submissions

All proposals must be in before 15 March 2012.

Please note

All expenses, including registration for the conference, travel, accommodation etc., are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. No financial support can be provided by IFLA, but a special invitation can be issued to authors.

Congress Attendance Grants

The Finnish National Committee and IFLA have worked hard to secure funds for Conference Participation Grants. Up-to-date information is available on our Conference Participation Grants webpage.

Last update: 17 January 2012