Presentation proposals are currently being accepted for the fourth annual international and entirely online conference on the future of libraries in a digital world, the Library 2.014 Worldwide Virtual Conference.

Scheduled for October 8 and 9, 2014, the open online conference, co-founded by the San José State University (SJSU) School of Information, will be held across multiple time zones worldwide and is expected to draw thousands of information professionals.  

Dr. Sandra Hirsh, director of the SJSU School of Information and Library 2.014 co-chair, says that the school is “thrilled” to be a founding partner of the online event. “Building a global network is very important to the school,” said Hirsh, “and the Library 2.014 conference is one of the ways we foster international connections. We look forward to wide participation across the globe and having the opportunity to hear from international colleagues and leaders and to discuss important global issues impacting the library and information profession.” 

Emphasizing the conference’s focus on inclusiveness, Steve Hargadon, who chairs the conference with Hirsh, says the conference provides an excellent occasion for information professionals to network. “This is a collaborative event,” said Hargadon. “It is a unique opportunity to make more connections than you can in a physical event. You can connect with other professionals directly and collaborate with people in a network of 20,000 members much more easily than you could at a traditional conference.” 

Hargadon also notes that “the act of presenting is significant milestone for professionals,” and he anticipates the online conference will once again feature more than 100 sessions covering a “broad range of topics.” Indeed, there are six suggested subject strands for virtual presentations, but additional topics are welcomed as well.

Presentation proposals for the Library 2.014 Worldwide Virtual Conference will be accepted until September 15, 2014. According to the official call for proposals, “everyone is welcome to submit a presentation proposal and participate in this free event.” Once a proposal is accepted, participants will be able to schedule presentation times that are convenient for their time zone. Proposals are submitted online.

For more information about the conference, please visit the Library 2.0 website.

SJSU iSchool Faculty, Students, and Alumni Join Presenters Group

Getting an early start on submitting their presentation proposals for the Library 2.014 Worldwide Virtual Conference are a number of SJSU School of Information faculty, students, and alumni.

Hirsh is one of nine confirmed keynote presenters for the conference and will be giving the opening keynote presentation. SJSU iSchool professors Dr. Lili Luo and Dr. Michael Stephens are both participating in a session entitled “Enhancing Librarians’ Research Skills” that discusses their Institute for Research Design in Librarianship (IRDL) professional development project.

Representing student presenters, Sara Kelso, who is enrolled in the SJSU iSchool’s Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree program, will be discussing “best practices for authors and editors of peer-reviewed scholarly publication and manuscript submission.” Co-presenters for the “Get Published” presentation include the editorial team of the school’s Student Research Journal.

Several SJSU iSchool alumni will also speak at the global conference. Alumna Elizabeth Borghi (MLIS 2011) will draw on her experience working at Silicon Valley-based Rocket Fuel, covering the skills that information professionals can apply outside library environments during her presentation. Medical librarianship is the focus of the session presented by alumnae Marina Aiello (MLIS 2011) and Eve Melton (MLIS 2001), both of whom currently work in library services for Kaiser Permanente. The use of iPads in children’s services will be discussed in alumna Lauren Poelvoorde’s presentation. Poelvoorde (MLIS 2011) works in children’s services for the Santa Clara County Library District of Calif.