CFP URL: https://coreforum.org/core-forum-call-for-proposals/
About Core
The Core Forum will be the inaugural conference for ALA’s newest division, Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures, and ALA’s first in-person event since the pandemic began. It will bring together decision-makers and practitioners from the ALA division that focuses on:
- Access & Equity
- Assessment
- Buildings & Operations
- Leadership & Management
- Metadata & Collections
- Technology
Our program tracks, dine-arounds, and discussions will be structured around these six topics, particularly the ways in which they integrate together.
Areas that used to be separate and siloed now complement each other to explore and collaborate in all the areas where these topics overlap.
About Core
Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, and Futures is the division of the American Library Association whose mission is to cultivate and amplify the collective expertise of library workers in core functions through community building, advocacy, and learning.
About the Core Forum
The October 2022 Core Forum in Salt Lake City will be our first opportunity to celebrate the diverse and interconnected library work of Core members. From October 13-15, we'll engage the collective expertise of presenters and participants, facilitating thought-provoking conversations over two days of presentations, table-top exhibits, and poster sessions. In addition, attendees will have opportunities to safely reconnect with colleagues during receptions, dine arounds, and in the uncommons space.
You are invited to submit a proposal for a thought-provoking and highly-relevant to practitioners presentation in the following sections within Core:
Access and Equity
Dedicated to advocacy and equity in areas such as accessibility, copyright, dismantling systemic racism, equity of access, open access, net neutrality, privacy, and representative collections in all types of libraries. We support ALA's lobbying efforts in these areas and provide programming and training in support of equity, diversity, and inclusion, both within the division and the profession.
Assessment
Focuses on library assessment, evaluation, and measurement regardless of type of library or activity. We emphasize the role of assessment in demonstrating the impacts of our libraries. Our work includes recommending and developing tools, methods, guidelines, standards, and policies and procedures.
Buildings and Operations
Brings together librarians, library workers, and design professionals to analyze, discuss, and share information related to academic, public, and school library buildings, equipment, and furnishings. Topics addressed include, but are not limited to, library site selection; building planning and architecture; library furniture and equipment; interior design; maintenance and security of buildings and property; disaster recovery.
Leadership and Management
Provides librarians and library staff from any positional level or library type who desire to impact the broader profession a space to connect around the fundamental proficiencies and knowledge necessary to lead a successful organization. We explore and develop members' skills to create an inspiring vision, motivate people, and manage complex projects.
Metadata and Collections
Addresses and improves all aspects of acquisitions, cataloging, collections, continuing resources, metadata, preservation, reformatting, and technical services in all types of libraries. Examples of our work include, but are not limited to, sharing best practices and knowledge in work areas that support collections and discovery; identifying best practices for equity, diversity, and inclusion in the development and description of collections; creation and input on standards and best practices for selection, acquisition, description, access, and preservation of information resources; preservation of both print, media, and digital resources.
Technology
Includes anyone in libraries, archives, museums, and information-related organizations interested in leading edge technology and applications for librarians and information providers, everyone from absolute beginners to hi-tech professionals. We address the planning, development, design, application, and integration of technologies within the library and information environment, the impact of emerging technologies on library service, and the effect of automated technologies on people.
Presentation Opportunities
- SESSION - Concurrent sessions will be held on Friday and Saturday. Presentations will be 45 minutes in length with 15 minutes for introduction and Q&A. Presenters are required to present in-person and register at the discounted presenter rate.
- PRECONFERENCE - Half-day (3-4 hours) preconferences and tours (off-site venue) will be held on Thursday. Presenters are required to present in-person and a modest honorarium will be offered.
- POSTER - The poster session offers the opportunity to share and promote work, research, and ideas across the Forum's content areas identified in the bulleted list above. Print poster presentations will be available throughout the Forum, with special time reserved during the 2-day event for participants to ask questions and engage in chat conversation with the presenters.
Proposals will be evaluated on the following points:
- Relevance to the Forum's program tracks and audience
- Opportunities for learning and applicability to current library trends
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We encourage diversity in presenters from a wide range of background, libraries, and experiences. We deliberately seek and strongly encourage submissions from underrepresented groups, such as women, people of color, the LGBTQA+ community, and people with disabilities. We also strongly encourage submissions from public, school, and special libraries.
Vendors wishing to submit a proposal should partner with a library representative who is evaluating/using the product or service.
Presenters will submit final presentation slides and/or electronic content (video, audio, etc.) to be made available online following the event. Presenters will be able to register at a discounted rate and participate in the Forum as attendees.
The 2022 Forum will be held October 13-15, 2022 at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center in Salt Lake City, UT.
Registration will open in June. Check the Core Forum website for program announcements and join the list for ongoing Forum updates.
Ready to submit your proposal? Complete the Proposal Form before the May 20 deadline.
For questions, contact the Forum Planning Chair or Core Staff:
- Wendy Tressler, Core Forum Planning Committee Chair, wtressler@columbuslibrary.org
- Julie Reese, Core Director of Leadership & Learning, jreese@ala.org
- Tom Ferren, Core Professional Development Program Officer, tferren@ala.org
