Call for Speakers

Library Futures & Wildest Dreams

Deadline for Submissions Is October 2, 2023

Coming out of challenging times, libraries have the opportunity to create their own exciting futures with technology, partnerships, passion and commitment. As we head toward 2030, the Year of the Dog and prosperous wealth, we plan to let our imagination bloom with crazy ideas, blue-sky dreams, and creative innovations in an effort to go beyond where we have been to venture toward unknown pathways. Our communities deserve our spirit and resources as they carve a path to the future. What’s your wildest dream for your library community? Our information industry has so many solutions, passionate advocates, experienced and customer service-focused info pros who can illustrate our leadership role in rebuilding our communities, so they have a desirable and sustainable future. Whether that is a smart city, rural township, corporate organization, academic campus, K–12 school, or any other information-intensive community, we can and do make a difference. Computers in Libraries 2024 highlights innovative examples of libraries innovating, taking advantage of leading technology, creating wild dreams, and making them happen in their communities.

The next generation of technology and talented, well-trained people are at the heart of our 39th annual Computers in Libraries in 2024, and along with it go our spirit and passion for adapting our library programs and services to make a positive difference and impact. Building on what we have learned during the last few years while dealing with uncertainty, this conference shares new strategies, practices, knowledge, and techniques as well as the new tools that help us succeed as we reset, transform, and engage our communities, campuses, corporations, governments, health and medical establishments, legal firms, and more. Get ideas and insights for moving your library or information service into the new world!

Information Today, Inc., a key provider of technology conferences for more than 40 years, is excited to host our community of librarians and information managers this March for four days of practical advice, inspiring thought leadership, and in-depth training. Hear from experienced library leaders, newbies to the information industry with fresh ideas, networkers, and connectors who can link you to colleagues, The conference offers a multifaceted program designed to meet the needs of librarians, community and information managers, IT and systems professionals, e-resource managers, researchers, webmasters and web managers, archivists, content and museum curators, digital strategists, and information specialists. The focus of the conference is on emerging and leading-edge technology that allows us to engage With, and bring strategic value to, our user communities. Using the latest information and practices to help you make informed choices, this event looks at how to escalate and delight both the human and digital experiences in your community—whether an academic, corporate, nonprofit, public, or school library.

Conference Tracks & Topics

Computers in Libraries caters to all interests and all levels of knowledge, offering five simultaneous tracks plus many workshops, networking opportunities, and an extensive exhibit hall. This year’s tracks and themes encompass Innovative Libraries & Practices; School Libraries; Killer Strategies & Community Attention-Grabbers; Partnerships & Collaboration; User Design & Experience; Learning From Library Leaders; Creative Making & Makerspaces; Digital Transformation & Engagement; Information Discovery & Search; Content Management; Artificial Intelligence & Leading-Edge Technology for Libraries; Web Design, Tools, & Development; and more. Speakers are knowledgeable and authoritative and focus on practical applications, “how-to” solutions, and case studies as well as technical and managerial issues. Please consider sharing your knowledge and ideas; send us a proposal to speak. Below are some of the topics we hope to cover, but don’t let this list limit your imagination! We look forward to hearing from you.

Possible Topics (suggestions only – the more creative the topic, the better!)

  • Library Futures & Visions
  • Connect With New Tech Partners
  • Facing Disruption With Strategy Reset
  • Learning From Failed Experiments
  • Aligning Digital & Human Experience
  • Digital Community Programs Services
  • Next-Generation User Communities
  • Community Engagement Strategies
  • Mining Library Data for Decision Making
  • Innovative Libraries, Practices, & Services
  • Digital Transformation & Engagement
  • Ebook Publishing, Distribution, & Lending
  • User-Friendly Interfaces for Positive UX
  • Video: Streaming as a Marketing Tool
  • Content Management & Curation
  • Enterprise Information & Knowledge Management
  • Understanding Community Needs & Opportunities
  • Finding & Working With Partners
  • Sparking Imagination & Innovation
  • Creating Tomorrow's Learning Environments
  • Connecting People & Technology
  • Creating Strategic Value
  • Digital Archiving
  • Cutting-Edge Information Tools
  • Connecting With Clients in New Ways
  • What’s New in Library platforms?
  • Gaming & Learning
  • Streaming Content to Mobile Devices
  • Library Performance Improvement
  • Information Discovery & Visualization
  • Web Design/Redesign & Usability
  • Digitizing Collections
  • Cool Web/Tech Tools
  • Usability Testing for Web Sites
  • Web Development Tips & Tools
  • New & Emerging Technologies
  • AI & Robots for Libraries?
  • Community Sustainability 
  • Building Smart Communities
  • Successful Tech Experiments 
  • Internet of Things & Libraries
  • Innovation Labs & FabHubs
  • Emerging Tech & Tools 
  • Culture Changing Techniques 
  • Cool Library Partnerships
  • Mobile Computing
  • Transforming Library Spaces 
  • Researching Customer Needs
  • Measuring Impact of Services
  • Library Labs & Incubators
  • Digital Repository Management
  • Illustrating Value & ROI
  • Aligning with Strategic Priorities
  • Creative Management Practices
  • XR, AR, & VR Experiments
  • Community Management
  • Latest Engagement for Mobiles
  • Making Tough Choices
  • Evolving Web Strategies
  • Innovative Community Apps
  • Social Media & Libraries
  • Strategic Library Competencies
  • Managing & Engaging Digitally
  • Maximizing User Experience
  • Technology Planning
  • Building Technology Alliances
  • E-learning Strategies & Cases
  • Managing Electronic Resources
  • Personalization & Customization
  • Collaboration Software
  • Search Engine Tips & Tools
  • Teaching Tips for All Ages

How to Submit a Proposal

If you would like to participate in Computers in Libraries 2024 as a speaker or workshop leader, please submit a proposal as soon as possible (extended to October 2, 2023). Include the following brief details of your proposed presentation on the form: title, abstract, a few sentences of biographical information that relate you to the topic, and full contact information for you and your co-presenters (title, address, email, and phone). All abstracts are reviewed by the Organizing/Review Committee and notification regarding acceptance will be made in the fall.

Program Organizing and Review Committee

Program Chair
Jane I. Dysart, Dysart & Jones Associates

Program Coordinator
Brian Pichman, Evolve Project

Review Committee
Amy Affelt, Compass Lexecon
Bryan Alexander, The Future of Education Observatory
Marshall Breeding, Library Technology Guides
Frank Cervone, University of Illinois, Chicago
Carolyn Foote, School Librarian
Richard Hulser, Consultant
Rebecca Jones, LLEAD
Dick Kaser, Executive Editor, Computers in Libraries

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