Call for Papers

Library History Special Interest Group

Theme:
History of Libraries and Librarianship in Africa

The IFLA Library History Special Interest Group invites papers to be presented at its open session during IFLA WLIC 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa.

The IFLA Library History SIG seeks proposals for papers and presentations on the theme of the History of Libraries and Librarianship in Africa with an emphasis on the political and economic role of libraries in Africa. 

Suggested topics include:

  • Libraries as agents or critics of national and regional policy
  • Convergence / divergence of the professional and the political in libraries
  • Libraries as tools for economic development
  • African libraries and the international development community
  • Libraries and social justice
  • Libraries in the colonial and post-colonial era

Submission Guidelines

Proposals should include:

  • Title of presentation
  • Abstract of no more than 500 words in English
  • Name, email address, position (title) of presenter(s), plus a brief presenter(s) biography
  • Presenter(s) employer or affiliate institution

Important dates and timelines

Please submit your proposal for papers no later than 9 March 2015 to:

Steve Witt
Convener of the Library History SIG
Email: swwitt@illinois.edu

Please include as your subject line: LIBHIST2015

The proposals will be evaluated and notification of acceptance will be sent by 1 April 2015.

9 March 2015 Submission of proposal
1 April 2015 Notification to authors
30 May 2015 Submission of full text

Submissions

All proposals must be in before 9 March 2015.

Please note

At least one of the paper's authors must be present to deliver a summary of the paper during the program in Cape Town. Abstracts should only be submitted with the understanding that the expenses of attending the conference will be the responsibility of the author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted papers.

All papers that are presented at the WLIC 2015 will be made available online via the IFLA Library under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Authors of accepted papers must complete the IFLA Author Form.

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.

Last update: 29 January 2015