I know all of you awesome Michigan librarians have great things to share with other librarians from across the state. The Michigan Library Association Spring Institute Work Group would LOVE to hear about what you have to share! We're accepting *breakout session proposals* and *"Cool Things My Library Does" *proposals now! "Cool Things My Library Does" is a BRAND NEW option -* think of it like a strolling poster session show-and-tell with props.* Maybe you have a great way to organize all those storytime puppets and supplies that you think other libraries could implement. Or you have a super cool circulating collection that is unusual and successful. PLEASE submit a proposal to share your great ideas during an informal reception at SI. Email me with ANY questions: jmb.mlis@gmail.com *CALL FOR PROPOSALS* *MLA Spring Institute: Growing, Networking, and Inspiring!* April 14 – 15, 2016 Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, East Lansing, Michigan *Call for Breakout Session Program Proposals* *Submissions welcome through Monday, November 16, 2015* The 2016 MLA Spring Institute Conference theme is *Growing, Networking, and Inspiring,* and those are exactly the experiences that the event will focus on. All topics are welcome to be proposed. Examples could be, but not limited to: technology, SRP, early lit, programming, collections, and management. The conference will work to achieve the following goals and outcomes through its programs: ● *Provide quality professional development for those serving youth (ages 0 – 18) in libraries.* ○ Attendees will gain at least three ideas that they can apply or adapt at their libraries. ● *Enable an opportunity for those serving youth (ages 0 – 18) in libraries to exchange relevant, actionable knowledge through networking.* ○ Attendees will connect with new professional contacts with whom they can exchange ideas. ○ Attendees will build professional relationships that will provide future support. ● *Revitalize and inspire those serving youth (ages 0 – 18) in libraries.* ○ Attendees will return to their library with renewed enthusiasm for their work. *Agreements and Selection Notification* ● MLA will contact each program’s submitter and subsequent presenters in regards to final decisions after November 16, 2015. ● MLA will send all presenters a Presenter Agreement indicating date, time, and details of their presentation. This will be confirmed by the presenter and returned to MLA. *Program Submission General Guidelines* ● Program submitter may or may not also be the presenter. Either is acceptable. ● Communications by MLA will be to all members who are a part of your submission. Contact information is required for each presenter. ● Presenters are not reimbursed or compensated for session time, mileage, or any other such item. ● Presenters must register for the day(s) they attend Spring Institute if they intend to stay beyond their allotted presentation time. *Program AV & Room Setup* ● All presentation rooms will be supplied with a projector and screen; a microphone will be available as applicable. ● Internet access may be available but is not guaranteed. *Be sure to indicate if Internet access is required on the submission form.* ● Presenters will provide their own laptops and have presentations on laptops, flash drives, cloud, etc. Remote mouse devices/pointers are the responsibility of the presenter. Apple users will be responsible for also providing their own adaptor for connection to the projector. *Program Handouts & Evaluations* ● Handouts may be posted to the MLA website before the conference. Call for handouts will be on April 4, 2016. ● Printed handouts will not be reproduced by MLA for the conference. Presenters may provide handouts themselves if desired. *Selection Criteria* The Spring Institute work group will use the following criteria in assessing the viability of including a program on the schedule. The work group retains the right to reject, modify, or combine proposals. *Purpose:* Does the proposal clearly identify a goal and outcome(s), and are those in line with goals and outcomes of the conference as a whole? *Audience:* Is the target audience clearly identified? *Clarity: * Is the proposal easy to understand with technological or industry jargon explained, if necessary, correct grammar and professionalism? *Practicality: * Is the topic appropriate for a conference breakout session in content, time, audience? *Timeliness/Relevance:* Is the topic of current interest, bringing new ideas and a fresh perspective to its intended audience and conference theme? *Qualifications:* Does the speaker(s) have sufficient background experience to present on said topic? *Timeline (on or before)* ● November 16, 2015—*Final day* to submit program proposals ● November 24, 2015—*Selection notifications* emailed from MLA to program presenters ● December 30, 2015—*Presenter agreements* sent from MLA office to program presenters ● April 4, 2016—*Handouts received* for posting on MLA website ● April 14-15, 2016—*Spring Institute Conference*, Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, East Lansing, MI *Questions* Please feel free to contact the work group chair (Jocelyn Levin at jmb.mlis@gmail.com) with any questions you may have prior to your submission. *Program proposal submission form* https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pwlneNuDcqDVJlCsH8FrKMuiiMewXcO2u1QJLPMLM-Y... *NEW: Call for Cool Things My Library Does Proposals* *Submissions welcome through Monday, January 11, 2016* Do you have a great project you’ve implemented at your library, but don’t think the information would fill a whole breakout session time slot? Would you like to share your unique programming ideas with your peers? Have you or your library done something so great, you have to share it with the world? Consider submitting a proposal for “Cool Things My Library Does”, a new networking event at Spring Institute. This quick engaging presentation session will give you an opportunity to showcase your brilliance in a comfortable small group discussion format. Think of it like a strolling poster session show and tell with props. Topic examples might be unique collections, outreach programs, engaging services or distinctive displays. *Timeline (on or before)* ● January 11, 2016—*Final day* to submit *Cool Things My Library Does* proposals ● January 20, 2016—*Selection notifications* emailed from MLA to presenters *Questions* Please feel free to contact the work group chair (Jocelyn Levin at jmb.mlis@gmail.com) with any questions you may have prior to your submission. *Submission form* *https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1M40mTUHOz9pAipBiVQMUPgbrMVHaKPoj42TtfyHZuEg... <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1M40mTUHOz9pAipBiVQMUPgbrMVHaKPoj42TtfyHZuEg/viewform?usp=send_form> Jocelyn (Baldwin) Levin, MLIS Youth Services Librarian Baldwin Public Library 300 West Merrill Street Birmingham, MI 48009 jmb.mlis@gmail.com