Library and Research Services for Parliaments Section

The IFLA Library and Research Services for Parliaments Section invites proposals for presentations at the Section’s programme in Lyon, France, 16-22 August 2014. The main theme of the IFLA WLIC in Lyon is Libraries, Citizens, Societies: Confluence for Knowledge.

The open session of the Section,  Libraries for Democracy: Engaging Citizens will focus on the role of libraries in informing citizens about democracy, and engaging them in the democratic process. We are looking for up to 5 presentations for this 2 hour session.

We invite papers that:

• Explain the role of libraries in empowering citizens by helping them understand democratic processes and institutions
• Demonstrate the role of parliamentary libraries and information services in engaging citizens
• Explore how partnerships between libraries and other organisations can create a confluence for knowledge about democracy
• Consider where the functions of public information and public engagement are located within parliamentary bodies, and how these functions are staffed and funded
• Look at the opportunities afforded by the digital revolution for improving citizen understanding of and engagement in democracy
• Compare the success of public engagement initiatives across regions and worldwide

Submission details

Please send an abstract (1 page or about 300 words), in English, French or Spanish, of the proposed paper to:

Raissa Teodori, Chair, Library and Research Services for Parliaments Section
Email: [email protected]

Dates and deadlines

• 1 March 10 March 2014: Deadline to submit proposals/abstracts
• 10 March 20 March 2014: Proposals will be reviewed by members of the Standing Committee of the Section and successful proposals will be identified. Details regarding the format and length of the final paper will be sent to candidates whose abstracts are accepted.
• 31 May 2014: Deadline for selected presenters to submit formal paper (for inclusion on the IFLA conference website and the Section’s website). 

Proposals should include:

• Title of proposed presentation
• Abstract of proposed paper (no more than 300 words)
• Name(s) of presenter(s) plus position and/or title
• Employer / affiliated institution
• Contact information including e-mail address, telephone number
• Short biographical statement of presenter(s)
• Language of final presentation

15-20 minutes will be allowed for delivery of the paper during the session.

Language of the session:

Papers should be in one of the seven IFLA official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Russian and Spanish.

Additional Information: Joint Sessions and Preconference of the Section

Joint Sessions of the Section on Library and Research Services for Parliaments at WLIC 2014

• Joint Session with Law Libraries, Information Technology, FAIFE: Access to law at the digital cross roads: innovative solutions to complex challenges. The call for papers can be found at http://conference.ifla.org/ifla80/calls-for-papers/access-law-digital-cross-roads-innovative-solutions-complex-challenges
• Joint Session with Continuing Professional Development and Knowledge Management: Learning challenges for librarians and library managers (Knowledge Café)

Satellite meeting of the Section on Library and Research Services for Parliaments

The Section will hold its annual 30^th annual preconference from 12 to 14 August, hosted by the French Assemblée Nationale in Paris. The overall theme of the preconference will be Parliamentary Libraries: Past and Future, and the theme for the Section's day of the preconference will be Research and Library Services working together to meet client needs. Information regarding the preconference will be accessible through http://www.ifla.org/services-for-parliaments/conferences