The Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA) seeks an experienced writer or editor to assist in the production and eventually take over as editor of LLAMA's quarterly journal, Library Leadership & Management (LL&M).  Presently the journal is operating with a co-editorship model that is working quite well, and may be a model for a new approach to producing content for LL&M.  Applications for a shared editorship role are encouraged.

With the Winter 2010 issue, LL&M is transitioning from a print and electronic model to a web-only publication.  We anticipate that the next several years will offer opportunities for the journal to grow in new directions, employ more graphics, and the future possibility for media and interactivity.  The associate editor will be responsible for working closely with the editor in developing and producing each issue and will establish relationships with the Publications Editorial Advisory Board, LLAMA Executive Board, and LLAMA Section and Committee chairs.  This will include producing and editing content, identifying appropriate topics for publication, and assisting authors in developing manuscripts.   More detailed responsibilities are in a public document on ALA Connect, titled LL&M Associate Editor Expectations http://connect.ala.org/node/84638.  Submissions to the journal are invited, accepted, reviewed, and chosen by the editor assisted by the associate editor. 

After a two-year term as associate editor, the incumbent will take over duties as editor for two years (2013 - 2014).  The associate editor serves as an ex-officio member of the LLAMA Board of Directors and the Publications Editorial Advisory Board. The first issue for which the newly appointed associate editor will share responsibility will be volume 26, no. 1.

Applicants must be LLAMA members and have experience within ALA.   They are expected to have  knowledge of LLAMA and its goals, have an interest in and knowledge of leadership issues relevant to libraries, and a familiarity with management and leadership literature in general.  Applicants must have written and published in a print or electronic environment and/or have demonstrated editorial experience.  Applicants should have familiarity with technological resources, such as blogs, social websites, and content management systems, as well as knowledge of emerging technologies in publishing.  An understanding of working within the context of a complex organization and balancing competing priorities will be an asset for the successful candidate.

The successful candidate must make a four-year commitment to attend ALA Midwinter and Annual Conference meetings, with emphasis on attending LLAMA section and committee meetings. A stipend up to $1,500 annually will be provided to cover documented travel and/or editorial expenses.  Conference registration costs will be covered as well. 

Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter summarizing their editorial philosophy, two to four samples of written work or editorial activities, and three letters of reference addressing their qualifications.  In case of co-editorship applications, a single cover letter with individual resumes, writing samples, and letters of reference should be sent, with one individual identified as the primary contact.  Materials should be sent in electronic form to: Kerry Ward, LLAMA Executive Director at kward@ala.org.  The deadline for application is May 1, 2010. Finalists will be interviewed at the 2010 ALA Annual Conference in Washington, DC.

ACRL 2011 Call for Participation

At the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, John Hancock said: "There must be no pulling different ways; we must all hang together." Ben Franklin remarked: "We must indeed all hang together, or assuredly we will all hang separately." The ACRL 2011 National Conference theme, "A Declaration of Interdependence," reflects the promise and the challenge of the delegates to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Academic and research libraries share a common set of principles. To be successful, libraries must cooperate with each other and interconnect with their campus communities.  The ACRL 2011 National Conference invites you to explore new ideas, engage in active learning, and consider the interdependency that exists in our academic and library community.

Submit a proposal for the ACRL 2011 National Conference to be held in historic Philadelphia, March 30 - April 2, 2011.  The ACRL National Conference attracts and engages many of the brightest minds in our profession. We encourage you to participate in this exciting and energizing exchange of ideas--bring your latest research, cutting-edge practices, and innovative developments to share with your colleagues.  We invite you to submit your innovative or radical proposals to help us make ACRL 2011 a truly revolutionary conference!

Conference Tracks

The ACRL 2011 Coordinating Committee invites you to investigate the issues and topics described in the conference tracks and to think about both the future of our field and the practices and plans that are helping us get there:

• Diversify our Interdependence: Building Relationships
• Evolutions in Higher Education
• Harness Lightning: Technology in the Service of Libraries
• Inventing Your Library's Future
• The Shape of Tomorrow: Liberating Collection Development
• Unite with Users: Reinventing the User Experience
• You Say You Want a Revolution: Next Generation Librarianship

Session Formats

ACRL 2011 will offer a variety of session formats, from full-day preconferences to informal roundtable discussions.  Session formats include:

• Contributed Papers
• Cyber Zed Shed Presentations
• Panel Sessions
• Preconferences
• Workshops
• Poster Sessions
• Roundtable Discussions
• Virtual Conference Webcasts

How to Submit

All proposals must be submitted via the online proposal submission form. 

Deadlines

May 10, 2010 - Contributed Paper, Panel Session, Preconference, and Workshop proposals due
November 1, 2010 - Cyber Zed Shed presentation, Poster Session, Roundtable Discussion, and Virtual Conference Webcast proposals due

Proposal Requirements

Review the program proposal requirements/instructions before you begin the online proposal submission process.  You may start and save an incomplete proposal, and edit or add additional information before the proposal deadline deadline date.  An ID number and password will be assigned to you when you submit your proposal.

Selection Criteria and Presenter Requirements

Please review the selection criteria and presenter requirements before you start your proposal submission.

Questions?  Contact  acrl@ala.org.

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

 

The Research and Statistics Committee of the Reference Services Section of RUSA invites the submission of research projects for presentation at the 16th Reference Research Forum at the 2010 American Library Association Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

 

The Reference Research Forum continues to be one of the most popular and valuable programs during the ALA Annual Conference, where attendees can learn about notable research projects conducted in the broad area of reference services such as user behavior, electronic services, reference effectiveness and assessment, and organizational structure and personnel. All researchers, including reference practitioners from all types of libraries, library school faculty and students, and other interested individuals, are encouraged to submit a proposal.

 

For examples of projects presented at past Forums, please see the Committee's website:

http://tinyurl.com/rssresearchstatistics

 

The Committee employs a blind review process to select three projects for 20 minute presentations, followed by open discussion. Winning submissions must be presented in person at the Forum in Washington, D.C.

 

Criteria for selection:

• Quality and creativity of the research design and methodologies;

• Significance of the study for improving the quality of reference service;

• Potential for research to fill a gap in reference knowledge or to build on previous studies;

• Research projects may be in-progress or completed;

• Previously published research or research accepted for publication will not be accepted

 

Proposals are due by Monday, January 4, 2010. Notification of acceptance will be made by Monday, February 8, 2010. The submission must not exceed two pages. Please include:

 

1. A cover sheet including your name(s), title(s), institutional affiliation(s), mailing address(es), fax number(s) and email address(es).

2. The second page should NOT show your name, any personal information, or the name of your institution. Instead, it must include:

a. Title of the project;

b. Explicit statement of the research problem;

c. Description of the research design and methodologies used, and preliminary findings if any;

d. Brief discussion of the unique contribution, potential impact, and significance of the research

 

Please send submissions by email to:

Liane Luckman

Chair, RUSA RSS Research and Statistics Committee

lluckman@txstate.edu

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS
Don't miss the opportunity to play an active part in 2010 ACRL/LLAMA Spring Virtual Institute, "Doing Well by Doing Good": Entrepreneurial Leadership for Librarians.  Submit a proposal now for an interactive webcast or online poster session.  Submissions will be accepted through November 16, 2009.

CONFERENCE THEME
The ACRL/LLAMA Spring Virtual Institute will offer a forum for an energizing exchange of ideas focusing on leading and managing libraries and staff in libraries. The conference theme,  "Doing Well by Doing Good": Entrepreneurial Leadership for Librarians, will explore different models and aspects of leadership and management and their impact on academic librarianship in today's challenged and flat economic environments.

Leadership of academic and research libraries is always challenging, but it is harder than ever to offer effective, excellent patron services when funds for staff, programs, resources, and services are no longer available. Rather than the overly ambitious challenge of "doing more with less" librarians instead are faced with having to make hard decisions that ensure services, resources, and staff can continue the library's mission.  How do we not only keep up, but also lead the way in an economy in flux?  What contribution can new technologies make to effective management in challenging times? How can we continue to serve as effective mentors and develop leaders for libraries of the future?  What can an entrepreneurial attitude contribute to library leaders' skills?

As ACRL looks ahead to the ACRL 2011 National Conference in Philadelphia, the ACRL Professional Development Coordinating Committee invites you to take a cue from a famous Philadelphian* known 1) for his love of libraries, and 2) from his reputation for practical (and thrifty!) solutions as you consider the issues and topics suggested for proposals.

1. Benjamin Franklin* was ambitious, hardworking, and trustworthy: Effective strategies for dealing with staff frustrations and stresses

2. Benjamin Franklin was image conscious: Advocacy for the academic library within the academy

3. Benjamin Franklin knew the value of networking: Creative professional development activities

4. Benjamin Franklin took risks, but only very calculated risks: Core competencies for effective risk taking managers

5. Benjamin Franklin came up with solutions that turned potential problems into silver linings: Travel-free and/or inexpensive opportunities for professional growth, or ways to find support for travel

6. Benjamin Franklin looked at the whole picture, guaranteeing supply, quality product, and distribution: Fostering mutually beneficial vendor relationships

7. Benjamin Franklin was inventive: - he thought "out of the box": Applying new inexpensive technologies and products to creative programming and problem solving

8. Benjamin Franklin identified unmet demands, created an awareness of them, and then often stepped forward to fill them: Coping with today's leadership challenges for effective long range/strategic planning

CONFERENCE FORMAT
The conference will be held April 21-22, 2010, and will take place in an online conference community.  The online community provides an environment in which groups of participants, both small and large, can gather electronically to learn, collaborate, and network.  The conference will offer both synchronous and asynchronous sessions and programs will be archived for viewing on-demand.

PRESENTATION FORMATS
Webcasts (Synchronous): An interactive webcast allows you to give a presentation in real-time, while also showing visuals, such as PowerPoint slides and desktop applications. You may also conduct polls, which can be loaded in advance or created on the fly.  Participants can interact with webcast presenters by talking with live audio or typing in questions and comments.  Webcasts may last up to 60 minutes each, and should include time for Q&A with the online audience. Webcasts should include an active learning element(s) in order to engage the online audience.  Interactive Webcasts will be offered on either April 21 or 22, 2010.
 
Online Poster Sessions (Asynchronous): The online poster session is a PowerPoint presentation that includes your voice recorded along with each slide.  Because the audio is recorded in advance, you do not need to be present when participants are listening to and watching the presentation.  In order to keep poster sessions targeted and focused, posters should be no longer than 10 minutes and are limited to 20 slides.  Information should be presented in bullet point format with no more than five points per slide.  Narration should be used to expand upon concepts/ideas on the slides.

All tools used in the Virtual Conference community area are designed to work with both PC and Macintosh computers, at dial-up Internet connections or higher. 

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL
Proposals should be submitted via the online proposal form.

The deadline for submissions is 11:00 p.m. CST, November 16, 2009.  You will need to have the following prepared before you begin your online proposal as you will not be able to save your proposal and edit later:

• Presentation title
• Presentation format
• Presentation  description.  The description should be approximately 500 words, should outline the main points of the program, its relevance to attendees, and ways you will engage the online audience.
• Short presentation description.  (100 words)
• At least three learning outcomes
• Complete contact information for all speakers.  Please note that the person submitting a group proposal will be considered the program organizer and the main contact for the presentation. 

SELECTION CRITERIA
Proposals will be evaluated for relevance to the conference theme, clarity, originality, and timeliness.  Special attention will be given to proposals that incorporate one or more of these characteristics:

• Demonstrates innovative thinking
• Presents strategies for effectively implementing new ideas and technology
• Contributes ideas for positioning academic and research librarians to be leaders both on and off campus
• Makes effective use of technology in relation to the content presented

NOTIFICATIONS
Notifications will be issued in January 2010.

QUESTIONS
Contact Margot Conahan at mconahan@ala.org or call 312-280-2522.
 

The application period for the Reference and User Services Association's (RUSA) Emerald Research Grants is now open.

The award consists of two grants, each worth $5,000, which are sponsored by Emerald Group Publishing, Ltd. and administered by the Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS) of RUSA. These grants will be awarded to two applicants seeking support in conducting research in business librarianship and may be used at the discretion of the award recipients. Winners may be asked to present their findings at a public BRASS event within two years of receiving the award and will be required to acknowledge the Emerald Research Grant when publishing or presenting their research.

Those interested in applying should submit a detailed proposal outlining their proposed research project; methodology, scope and timetable; how this project fits into the existing literature; and projected outcomes, including a statement outlining how this research will benefit the library profession. Submissions will be reviewed for thoroughness and their potential to both positively impact the business librarian profession and to provide a useful addition to the existing library literature.   Past unfunded proposals are welcomed. Proposals will be accepted from both individual researchers and those working collaboratively; at least one member of a collaborative team must be a member of ALA. Please submit your proposals via e-mail to Jennifer Boettcher, chair of the Emerald Research Grant committee, at boettcher@georgtown.edu. All nominations must be received by Dec. 31. Winners will receive their cash prize, along with a citation, at the  RUSA Awards Ceremony on the Monday of the ALA Annual Conference, next scheduled for June 24-29, 2010 in Washington, D.C. 

The Reference and User Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, represents librarians and library staff in the fields of reference, specialized reference, collection development, readers advisory and resource sharing. RUSA is the foremost organization of reference and information professionals who make the connections between people and the information sources, services, and collection materials they need.  Not a member, but  interested in discounted registration rates on conference, preconferences and other events? Join, renew or add RUSA to your ALA membership at www.ala.org/membership. Learn more about the association at www.ala.org/rusa.

ACRL invites its committees, sections, and individual members to consider submitting a program proposal for the 2011 ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans. 

There will be a virtual meeting on December 8, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. CST for ACRL units and members interested in submitting a proposal for a 2011 ALA Annual Conference Program.  The purpose of this meeting is to provide potential conference program planners with an understanding of the Annual Conference program planning process, including budgets, timelines, and planning tips.  Please note that the Annual Conference program planning process spans twenty months, until Annual 2011.

2011 ALA Annual Conference Program Proposal forms will be due May 3, 2010.  The ACRL Professional Development Coordinating Committee will review and select 2011 Annual Conference programs, and notifications will be issued before the 2010 ALA Annual Conference.


More details about the Annual Conference program process are online at http://www.acrl.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/events/annualprogramsfaq.cfm

Interested in participating in the virtual meeting on December 8?  Please email Megan Griffin at mgriffin@ala.org.   Once log-in instructions are available, you will be notified.   These instructions will also be posted in ALA Connect, on the main ACRL page.


If you have any questions about the 2011 program process, please contact Megan Griffin at mgriffin@ala.org