London Calling: ILI Call for Speakers

Call for Speakers

Internet Librarian International 2008
Translating 2.0 Technologies for Tangible Benefits & Transparency

16-17 October 2008

Novotel London West
London UK

Deadline: 28 March 2008

Information Today invites proposals for presentations at Internet Librarian International 2008, to be held at the Novotel London West Hotel in London, UK, 16-17 October 2008. We welcome dynamic speakers from all countries willing to share their knowledge and experience about information tools, techniques, processes and management. How do information professionals translate various 2.0 technologies so they provide real value to people in all types of information environments?

This is the tenth year of Internet Librarian International—and the changes over the past decade are enormous. The Internet is now embedded in daily life; it’s no longer an exotic technology thriving in library jungles. Now the challenge is to evaluate technologies in light of their actual benefits. This holds true for all types of libraries—public, academic, commercial and government—and for those outside the traditional library—web designers, content evaluators, portal creators, systems professionals and independent researchers

New digital initiatives, delivery options and Web resources make for increasingly challenging workplace interactions. Internet librarians excel at embracing change and love innovation. Web 2.0, Library 2.0. Learning 2.0 and other 2.0s impact not only what we do but also how we do it. We can communicate across national borders, collaborate across time zones, and collect amazing amounts and types of information. At the same time, we must ensure that we do not race so far ahead of our constituencies that our users can’t follow. The necessity of establishing ROI benchmarks, ascertaining real value, and sharing knowledge on funding tactics goes hand-in-hand with learning new technologies, training end-users and implementing creative solutions to real problems.

We are looking for a mix of papers for conference sessions, workshops, and short tutorials. Our emphasis is on the practical rather than theoretical; we are seeking case studies and proposals about initiatives in your organisation, not product pitches or overviews. If you would like to be considered as a speaker, please submit your ideas at http://www.internet-librarian.com/CallforSpeakers.shtml.

What has worked in your work environments and what has not? Share your experiences and thoughts with your colleagues during Internet Librarian International.

Possible topics (but don’t let this limit your imagination):

Web search tips
Relating new technologies to libraries’ purpose
Libraries as place/space
Search as platform
User generated content
User needs analysis
New tools
NextGen libraries
Federated search
Digital libraries/collections
Evaluating web resources
Social software, networking & media
Blogs, wikis, podcasts
Libraries as publishers
Taxonomies, folksonomies
Evidence-based librarianship
Gaming, libraries & learning
Information policy
Web site usability
Intellectual property rights and protection
Collaborative working
Search as service
Internet resources
Communicating value
Managing e-resources
Mobile technology
Library 2.0
Open access; open source
Distance learning, e-learning
Marketing techniques
Multimedia searching
Innovative projects
Business intelligence
Portal designs
Managing digital projects
Incorporating new technologies
Web design
Content management
Training and teaching

The Advisory Committee will review all submissions. Notification regarding acceptance will be made this summer. If your proposal is selected, the primary speaker will receive a gratis registration to the full conference, which includes lunches and a reception. The organizers cannot be responsible for speakers’ travel and accommodation costs. October is a perfect time to visit London, and the Novotel Hotel is strategically located in West London and reasonably priced.

Thank you. We look forward to receiving your ideas and suggestions as we plan this very important international conference.

Chairs
Marydee Ojala
Editor, ONLINE: The Leading Magazine for Information Professionals
marydee@xmission.com

David Raitt
Editor, The Electronic Library