October 25-26 , 2010 The Rizal Library “Fourth International Conference”

CALL FOR PAPERS AND POSTERS

The Rizal Library Conference Committee invites proposals for papers to the “The Fourth Rizal Library International Conference” to be held at the Leong Hall Auditorium, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines on 25-26 October 2010.

MAIN THEME: “Library Spaces: Building Effective and Sustainable Physical and Virtual Libraries.”

The changing information landscape is influencing the physical library and changing it from a collection-based library into a learning commons or community center where people can access and share information. As information becomes more available online, the community center role of libraries will become increasingly important both in the physical and virtual spaces. Library users are now in facebook, multiply, twitter and other social networking sites and the library must also join these communities to reach existing and potential library users. This conference is about building physical and virtual library spaces where people can get free information and share ideas.

Session themes:

1. The Information Commons

The Information Commons or learning commons is designed to be a one-stop physical space where any or all users may search, gather, share and create information. It is designed to engage students and enhance learning. It brings together pervasive technology, content and services in one physical space. This subtheme brings to fore the characteristics of the information commons and how it impacts on learning.

2. Mobile Digital Librarianship

Libraries are already offering services through the Web but most library users and non-users of today are “on-the go” and access information wherever they may be through their mobile devices. In order to engage this crowd, librarians must go where the users are. This subtheme presents the components of the mobile web and how the library can engage actual and potential users in using the library via their mobile devices.

3. Social Networking Tools

Libraries have always played two roles, that of providing free information and providing a space for learning and discussion. Social networking offers a great possibility to carry out these roles. It is a growing phenomenon that has revolutionized the way people communicate, collaborate or simply express themselves. It has attracted not only digital natives but also digital migrants. This subtheme is about the application of social networking tools in reaching library and non-library users.

4. Library Services for Distance Learners

Distance education has led to the enhancement and redefinition of academic library services. In traditional classroom based learning, the student and faculty have to go to the library to access information. With distance education, the library provides access to information from remote locations. Distance education demands that students and faculty access information from wherever they maybe. This subtheme provides discussion on the modes of delivery of information to distance learners.

5. Library Management Systems in the Virtual World

As more social and intelligent services are introduced in the Internet, library information systems are becoming more web-based to respond to the changing needs of users. Information users now want access to text, and multimedia as well as participation in tagging content of library catalogues. This subtheme presents library management systems that are web enabled and participatory.

6. Technical Services: Trends and Issues

Virtual environments and technological advances demand new systems and new knowledge and skills related to electronic resource management, metadata creation and other web applications. Many automation vendors have responded by developing new library systems that work on the Web environment. Librarians in turn should acquire new knowledge and competencies to be in tune with these changes. This subtheme introduces the trends and issues in technical services and discusses how librarians and libraries can cope with these trends.

7. Marketing and Promoting Libraries: Focus on Return on Investment (ROI)

In today’s economic climate, with rising costs and dwindling value of money, libraries are challenged to ensure the return on investment and if possible acquire income. Marketing and promotion have become by-words in libraries to increase usage of the collection and facilities of the library and the value of the services rendered. This subtheme aims to introduce librarians to the ways and means of marketing and promoting their services.

8. Reference Service and Information Literacy

The reference service in today’s libraries is at the forefront of providing information literacy skills to the net generation users who surf the net for information. Reference librarians are faced with engaging this group of users to maximize the use of databases and other search tools in searching for credible information instead of directly going to the Internet. This subtheme is concerned with teaching information literacy skills to library users.

9. Library as Place: Planning and Evaluating New Spaces

Libraries have always been considered as storehouses of books and as silent study areas. Today the use of space in libraries are changing to meet the needs of users and to become relevant to a changing information environment. Competition with the Internet and other information providers is difficult. To remain relevant it must provide an environment that will be attractive to its users. This subtheme will tackle the use of physical and virtual spaces in libraries that will engage users to visit and use the library regularly.

HOW TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL

All proposals will be submitted online and must contain all information requested below. All proposals will go through a peer-review process. The receipt deadline for the abstracts is March 1, 2010. Each proposal will be reviewed and results will be released directly to the submitters by April 1, 2010. The full paper (Text and presentation format) must be submitted by August 1, 2010 to be included in the conference handouts.

Proposals should include the following:
 Proposed title
 Abstract (200-300 words) which includes the objectives and learning outcomes for the audience.
 References cited for use in the review process
 Name of presenter(s)
 Position or title of presenter(s)
 Employer or affiliated institution
 Mailing/email address
 Contact numbers
 Short biographical statement and resume

Submit proposals to:

The 2010 Conference Committee, Rizal Library, Loyola Schools, Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Ave, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines
Email addresses: wcueto@ateneo.edu, conference_rizallibrary@yahoo.com, ltdavid@ateneo.edu, lourdesdav@gmail.com

All accepted paper submitters will be given 30 minutes for the presentation. The open forum from 15 to 30 minutes will follow after all papers for the session have been presented.

All accepted poster presenters must prepare posters with text and images that could be read from two to three feet away. The display should encourage two-way communication between the presenter and the audience. The Conference Committee will supply the display boards and the push pins or tacks that may be needed. A schedule for poster presentation will be provided.

Funding. The 2010 Conference Committee will not be able to provide full funding for paper presenters and poster presenters to attend the Rizal Library Fourth International Conference. Presenters must spend for their own travel. The Conference Committee will provide the conference fee, lodging with breakfast, for the duration of the conference, travel to and from the venue, and meals at the conference venue for one presenter per paper or poster only.