Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Call for Proposals for March 5 & 6 2010 Virtual Worlds and Libraries Online Conference

Call for Proposals for March 5 & 6 2010 Virtual Worlds and Libraries Online Conference

Virtual Worlds and Libraries Online Conference (from Lori Bell)

The American Library Association Virtual Communities and Libraries Member Initiative Group (ALA VCL MIG) invites librarians, library staff, vendors, graduate students, and developers to submit proposals for programs related to the topic of libraries in virtual worlds. The conference will be held online using OPAL (Online Programming for All Libraries) web conferencing software, with demonstrations and tours in virtual worlds such as Second Life. The conference dates are Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6, 2010. Proposals are due Friday, January 15, 2010. Please send proposals to: lbell61520@gmail.com.

Topics:
The Virtual Worlds and Libraries online conference will feature interactive, live online sessions using OPAL web conferencing, with demonstrations and tours in virtual worlds such as Second life. We are interested in a broad range of submissions that highlight current, evolving and future issues and opportunities involving virtual worlds and libraries. These include but are not limited to the following themes:
• Starting a Library in Virtual Worlds
• How to Build a Library Presence in Second Life
• Working with a Class in Second Life
• Virtual World platforms for libraries
• The future for virtual environments and libraries
• Information Literacy in Virtual worlds
• Health information service in virtual worlds
• Museum and library collaboration in virtual worlds
• Library collaboration in virtual worlds
• Working with other campus agencies on virtual worlds
• Handheld library applications of virtual worlds
• Reference services in virtual worlds

Proposal Submissions:
This conference accepts proposals for presentations delivered in several online formats:
• A featured 45 minute presentation
• Panel discussion with others (10 minutes of presentation)
• Poster sessions

Submit proposals by completing the form beneath by no later than Friday, January 15, 2010. You will be notified by Monday, February 1 if your proposal has been accepted.

Presenters Are Expected To:
• Conduct an online session using OPAL web conferencing system, or provide a demonstration in a virtual world, such as Second Life
• Provide a photo, bio and program description for the conference website by February 10, 2010
• Respond to questions from attendees
• Attend an online 30-60 minute training on OPAL web conferencing

Please fill out the following information for your proposal.
Title of Session:
Description of Session: (100 words or less):
Speakers: (Please include real name and institution):
Program platform: OPAL or specify the virtual world you will be using:
Program Contact Information: (Name, institution, address, email address, phone number):

Thank you for considering a submission for conference participation. If you have questions, please contact:
• Lori Bell, Alliance Library System, lbell@alliancelibrarysystem.com
• Tom Peters, TAP Information Services, tpeters@tapinformation.com
• Rhonda Trueman, abbeyzen@gmail.com