2023 Panhandle Academic Libraries Conference

Call for Proposals: We would like to invite proposals for the fifth annual Panhandle Academic Libraries Conference scheduled for Friday, July 14, 2023, at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Florida.

The deadine for proposal submission has closed. Registration for the conference is now open.

Our keynote speaker for the conference is Elisandro (Alex) Cabada, Director, IDEA Lab Digital Scholarship Center, emerging technologies and immersive scholarship librarian at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Our theme is Academic Libraries: Engaging Our Communities. We seek proposals related to the conference theme in areas of:

  • Subject Librarianship
  • Collaboration
  • Collection and Funding
  • Instruction
  • Technology
  • Innovation

Share your experiences – both successes and learning opportunities – with your colleagues. We will accept a maximum of two proposals per presenter (including individual and panel discussions). No presentation may have more than five presenters.

The Panhandle Academic Libraries Conference is a wonderful opportunity for Florida Panhandle academic library staff to get together, learn, and discuss pressing matters at the frontline of the industry — especially for those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend larger national conventions.

We encourage you to submit proposals you might not have had the chance to present locally, as well as new presentation ideas you may want to explore and receive feedback on. Special attention will be given to proposals that:

  • Demonstrate new and innovative thinking;
  • Generate ideas or report research that contribute to ongoing discussion about the future of academic libraries;
  • Contribute ideas that position academic libraries to be leaders both on campus and in their surrounding communities;
  • Present strategies for implementing new ideas and technology; and
  • Encourage learning among conference attendees.

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Proposals are due by 11:59 pm ET on Friday, April 7, 2023. Applicants will be notified about their proposal status by April 18, 2023. Presenters will be responsible for registering for the conference and for arranging their own travel and lodging.

SESSION FORMATS:

  • Panel Discussion: 40-minute discussion with 10-minute Q & A. Panelists will provide multiple diverse perspectives on a topic or theme, followed by 10 minutes of question and answer for the audience. Proposal abstracts should highlight practical takeaways of attendees. 
  • Presentation: 40-minute talk with 10-minute Q & A. Presenter(s) will speak with the audience for 40 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of question and answer for the audience. Proposal abstracts should highlight practical takeaways of attendees. 
  • Interactive Workshop: 50 minutes. Presenters will engage attendees in active, hands-on learning. Proposal abstracts should present a clear description of the activity as well as highlight the practical takeaways for attendees. 
  • Roundtable: 50 minutes. Attendees are encouraged to participate in informal group discussions on topics of interest. Proposal abstracts should include sample questions that facilitators can plan to use. 
  • Pre-recorded Presentation: 5 minutes. Presenters will record a short presentation that will be available to conference attendees on demand.

See the conference rubric for more information on scoring.

We are excited for this fifth annual conference and hope you will join us! Your conference organizing team:

  • Regina Burgess, Panhandle Library Access Network (Co-Chair)
  • David Russell, Gulf Coast State College (Co-Chair)
  • Jules Bailey, Tallahassee Community College
  • Valerie Boulos, Florida State University
  • Melissa Davis, Pensacola State College
  • Brian Erb, FLVC Library Services
  • Michelle Finley, University of West Florida
  • Melissa Gonzalez, University of West Florida
  • Maria Goodspeed, Pensacola State College
  • Jeff Hipsher, Florida State University
  • Darrell Horton, Florida A&M University
  • Mike Meth, San Jose State University
  • Liam O’Leary, Gulf Coast State College
  • Teika Tucker, Florida A&M University

Questions should be directed to Regina Burgess.