Michigan Academic Library Association (MiALA) 2024 Annual Conference 

Call for Presentation Proposals

Libraries: Where Ideas Take Flight

"Libraries: Where Ideas Take Flight" captures the curiosity, optimism, and technological innovation propelling academic libraries on an ascent towards new heights. As skilled navigators of knowledge, academic library workers are entrusted to ensure our communities' smooth voyage into intellectual exploration. Have you implemented a forward-looking approach, developed a best practice, or have an engaging idea or project to share? If so, join us as a copilot on this journey, inspiring attendees with ideas that will shape the trajectory of librarianship and academic libraries into the future.

MiALA invites you and your colleagues to submit presentation proposals for the 9th annual conference to be held in-person, May 15-17, 2024 at The Fetzer Center, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. Participation from librarians, library staff, LIS students, and administrators from all types of academic libraries is encouraged. MiALA membership is not required to submit a proposal. We welcome proposals on topics covering any aspect of academic libraries. 

We are seeking the following presentation formats: 

• Presentations, panels, or moderated discussion sessions (45 min.)
• Individual or group presentations, panel sessions, and moderated discussion sessions are all welcome. Each of these sessions will be 45 minutes, including a Q&A.
• Interactive workshops (105 min.)
• An opportunity to teach and explore current and emerging topics in a collaborative atmosphere. Workshops encourage a hands-on experience that may combine active learning, collaboration, and discussion. 
• Lightning Talks (10 min.) 
• A short individual presentation addressing a specific topic or project. Lightning talks provide attendees the opportunity to hear about a range of innovative ideas from a broad and varied group of colleagues in a short amount of time. Lightning talks will be grouped into sessions that may or may not be themed. Lightning talk sessions will be 45 minutes, including a Q&A.

Along with presenter(s) information, program proposals must include title, presentation format, presentation description (up to 300 words), short abstract (up to 75 words), and learning objective(s). Proposals will be evaluated on relevance to the conference theme (Libraries: Where Ideas Take Flight), impact on academic libraries and higher education, originality, creativity, and clarity. For workshops, include plans for interactivity and audience engagement in the session description.

If you have a topic you’d like to explore and are looking for collaborators, consider adding your session idea to the Breakout Session Collaboration spreadsheet. This spreadsheet is not monitored by MiALA or the Program Committee and is not part of the official submission process.

Please submit your breakout session proposal using the application form located here by January 19, 2024. The primary contact listed on each proposal will receive a message indicating receipt of the proposal when it is submitted and decisions on proposals will be communicated to the primary contact in late January or early February.

Questions about proposals can be sent to julie.garrison@wmich.edu.

Questions about the conference in general can be sent to conference@miala.org. 

Mary O’Kelly

Associate Dean for Education and User Services

University Libraries – Western Michigan University

Chair, MiALA 2024 Annual Conference Planning Committee