World Library and Information Congress: 74th IFLA General Conference and Council

"Libraries without borders: Navigating towards global understanding"

10-14 August 2008, Québec, Canada

Call for Papers

School Libraries and Resource Centers Section, with the Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section

Theme: All aboard at the School Library: Giving children the tools they need to navigate the future!

In order to optimise global sharing and learning at the 2008 IFLA Conference, the School Libraries and Learning Resource Centres Section and the Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section are planning a session where we can showcase examples of best practice in School Libraries and in the education of School Librarians which facilitate diversity and awareness in our multicultural communities.

Children today are witness to constant changes in their environment, but very rarely do they have a voice in the changes that affect them. Schools and their libraries are often at the forefront of providing information to help them understand the world and people around them. Despite often having limited resources making sure that school libraries provide equal access for all our clients is an imperative.

If your school has led the way with innovative, challenging and/or successful solutions in providing a voice for and assistance to a diverse clientele this is your opportunity to spread best practices across the world. Tell us about it in Québec.

Participants are asked to present visually enticing materials to engage IFLA delegates and show best practices. Participants' contributions could include demonstrations of reading activities, story telling, the provision and use of local language materials, training techniques, reading promotion, theatre etc. that take place as part of a school library or school community programme in different parts of the world.

Submissions:

You are invited to submit proposal in English for this session.

The following should be provided:

Name and institution of presenter(s)
Description of programme/project/research/campaign/storytelling session etc. (1 page, up to 350 words)
Relevant biographical information of author(s)/presenter(s)
Kinds of materials to be presented
Equipment needed (table, board) - organisers will not be able to supply computers or electronic equipment
A maximum of 20 minutes will be allowed for the presentation of each paper

Send your proposals by February 14th, 2008 via e-mail to:

Karen P.H. Usher
Chair, School Libraries and Resources Centres Section
karen@musher.demon.co.uk or
library@shunsley.eril.net

The abstracts will be reviewed by the Review Committee and 4 proposals will be selected. The RC will make every effort to have representation from all continents. Diversity of language will be accepted but a simple hand-out in one of the IFLA languages will be encouraged. Successful proposals will be identified and announced by March 14th, 2008.

All presenters will be listed in the final IFLA Programme. Therefore they will be invited to prepare a full text of presentation of their programme, by April 30th, 2008 to allow time for the review of papers and preparation of translations; papers should be no longer than 20 pages.

Expenses:

Please note it is the presenters' responsibility to find funding for their participation (registration fee, travel, accommodation and associated costs). IFLA, The libraries for children and young adults section are not in a position to fund the attendance at the Conference.