Call for Papers: Satellite Meetings

Education and Training Section joint with Library Theory and Research Sections

Theme:

"International Quality Assessment of LIS Education Programs"

[Deadline extended to: 29 February 2016]

Date

10 August 2016 (8:30 – 17:00)

Venue

The Conference Center at OCLC, 6600 Kilgour Pl, Dublin, OH 43017, USA
(Close to Columbus, reachable by taxi)

Description of Theme

The Section on Education and Training (SET) and the Section on Library Theory and Research (LTR) are organizing a satellite meeting prior to the 2016 World Library and Information Congress in Columbus, Ohio, with the support of OCLC, the Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE), and the University Library and the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The aim of the meeting is to explore the feasibility of establishing an international means of assessing the quality of Higher Education programs for initial and continuing professional development of library and other information professionals. The goal of such an international assessment protocol would be to support opportunities for cooperation and collaboration among higher education institutions worldwide, and to ensure the equivalency of degrees and certificates granted as well as learning experiences. This would result in a system that would permit reciprocity in educational programs internationally for both initial professional positions and continuing professional development of library and information professionals.

Proposals are welcome for papers (research, case studies, etc.) as well as panel presentations representing innovative and original perspectives on current and future issues in the assessment of LIS education and similar programs. The sub-topics (not exhaustive) are:

  • What library and information science (LIS) education assessment models should the international LIS community consider adopting, and why?
  • Is it desirable to extend quality assessment of LIS education beyond the traditional Libraries, Archives, Museums (LAM) boundaries and how that might impact a quality assessment program?
  • Is there one model that is better than another, e.g., an accreditation model of an entire program or degree vs. a certification model of individual graduates?
  • Is it feasible to consider one standard for quality assessment of LIS education worldwide?
  • How should quality assessment accommodate future changes in LIS Education?
  • What professional and personal competencies should be developed as part of an LIS education program?
  • What role should employers play in assessing the quality of LIS education?
  • What specific core or common curricula should be part of LIS education assessment?
  • What role should theory vs. practice skills play in LIS education assessment?
  • What role should the market/industry play in determining the quality of LIS education?
  • What is the most appropriate model for administrating an international LIS Education Quality Assessment effort – one single international organization, a federation of organizations, or other configurations?

How to submit a proposal

Interested persons are invited to submit a proposal for a paper (presentation at conference and online publication) or a panel presentation on the topics listed above. The full papers and the panel abstracts will be made available on the web for review prior to the meeting.

Proposal Submission Guidelines and Formats

The proposals and presentations must be in English.

Papers

The paper proposal abstract should be not more than 500 words (1 page), be submitted in electronic MS Word format, and be accompanied by a brief bio of each author, 150 words maximum per bio.  The abstract submitted should state the focus of the paper and the way(s) in which it contributes to the body of knowledge in the field.

Full paper length of accepted proposals will be between 2500 and 5000 words. Papers will be grouped with others on a common theme for presentation, typically a 90-minute session comprised of three paper presentations.  Presentation time for papers should be no more than 20 minutes.

Panels

Panel proposals must include title, brief biographies of panelists, format, and abstract (maximum of 750 words) of panel theme.

The abstract should describe how three or more panelists will present a cohesive theme and promote lively discussions among panelists and audience members. Panels are encouraged to present different points of view on a satellite topic.  They should strive to be international in both scope and content. Proposals should provide a description of the issues to be discussed, and a list of panelists who have agreed to participate with their qualifications, contact information and contributions to the panel.

Paper and panel proposals should be submitted at: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=ifla2016setltr

Deadline: All proposals for papers and panels must be received by 12 February 2016 the extended deadline 29 February 2016 to be considered.

Evaluation process

Paper and Panel Proposals:

Paper and Panel proposal abstracts will be evaluated on scientific quality (pertinence, theoretical base, methodology, originality) and on the competencies of the candidate(s) based upon the quality/quantity of their publications/communications and/or professional experience.

Evaluation Criteria for papers and panels:

  • Relevance to the theme
  • Theoretical foundation
  • Originality
  • Significance of its contribution to LIS research or practice
  • Clarity of expression
  • Global in scope (geographic as well as cultural/societal representation)

Preference will be given to research proposals which indicate the status of research: Are the results in hand? When appropriate, please include the timeline for completion of research.

The following schedule will be applied:

  • 19 February 2016: Deadline to submit paper and panel proposal abstracts  https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=ifla2016setltr
  • 18 March 2016: Notification of paper and panel abstract acceptance
  • 25 April 2016: Deadline for authors to submit the completed paper and any revisions to panel proposals
  • 10 August 2016: Satellite Meeting

Registration

Registration to cover costs of lunch, coffee breaks and social event tentatively set at $120 USD

Please note

  • All panel members and at least one of the paper’s authors must register and be present to deliver a summary of the paper during the Satellite Meeting.
  • All papers that are presented at the WLIC 2016 will be made available online via the IFLA Library under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.
  • Authors of accepted papers must complete the IFLA Authors’ Permission Form.
  • All expenses for attending the satellite meeting (e.g. travel, accommodation, etc.) are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. No financial support can be provided by IFLA.

Satellite Planning Chairs: Clara M. Chu and Terry Weech

Call for Papers Subcommittee Chair:  Beth Sandore Namachchivaya

Contact information: IFLA-SET-LTR-2016@library.illinois.edu

Webpage: https://publish.illinois.edu/ifla-set-ltr-2016/

Congress Participation Grants

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