Science and Technology Libraries Section

The IFLA Science and Technology Libraries Section is seeking proposals for papers to be presented at a session during the IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Cape Town, South Africa 15-21, August 2015.

A major challenge for libraries and librarians world-wide is the ability to identify the most important and relevant science and technology information and data. From discovery tools, metadata, author identifiers or social media, the digital landscape has created unique challenges. Additionally, the ability to hire information professionals who understand these issues has become increasingly difficult.

Papers from all types of libraries are needed that focus on one or more of the following issues:

• Strengths and limitations of discovery tools presently available to locate science and technology articles and data
• Science and technology taxonomies that provide uniform descriptors
• Unique researcher identifiers, such as ORCID, within a university or country
• Collaborations that improve the discovery of science and technology information
• Use of social media to discover authoritative science and technology information
• Need for information professionals to address science and technology issues worldwide

Submissions

Proposals for papers should be no more than two pages in length. Proposals must be submitted by email and must contain:

• Title of the paper
• Author(s) of the paper
• Paper abstract (500 words maximum)
• Speaker’s name, professional affiliation, postal address, and email address
• Biographical note on the speaker (50 words maximum)
• Email subject line “IFLA Proposal”
• Proposed papers must be original and not have been published elsewhere

Please submit proposals to:

Annelie Janred, Program Chair, IFLA Science & Technology Libraries Section

Email: annelie.janred@ub.gu.se

Proposals for papers should be submitted before 1 March 2015. The contact person for each proposal will be informed by 21 March 2015 whether their proposal has been accepted or not.  If the proposal is accepted, the authors will be required to submit the full paper, at least 5 pages in length by 15 May 2015. During the conference session, the authors will have 15-20 minutes to present their papers and 5 minutes for question and and answer.

Important dates

Please note

Every paper accepted must be presented in person by one of the authors at the IFLA WLIC in Cape Town, South Africa.

Authors are required to permit non-exclusive publication of papers chosen for this session on the IFLA website and digital repository, the IFLA Library. Author(s) must agree to make their paper available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Papers that are accepted but not presented in person at the conference will not be made available on the official conference website nor will they be considered for nomination as a best paper of the conference.

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 letter can be issued to authors.

Congress Participation Grants

List of opportunities for support is available on our Conference Participation Grants webpage.