Saturday, December 23, 2006

CFP: Mountain Plains Library Association (MPLA) Academic Section Professional Forum

CFP: Mountain Plains Library Association (MPLA) Academic Section Professional Forum

The Academic Section of the Mountain Plains Library Association (MPLA), in co-sponsorship with the New Mexico Library Association, announces a call for papers to be presented at the:

2007 NMLA/MPLA Joint Conference
Albuquerque, New Mexico
March 14-16, 2007

For additional details of the 2007 NMLA/MPLA Joint Conference, go to: http://www.nmla.org/abq2007/home.htm

The MPLA Academic Section sponsors the Professional Forum, which presents new ideas, innovations, and case studies in librarianship that benefit the profession. Research methodology is encouraged, but not essential. Academic, school, and public librarians are all invited to participate. The papers are peer reviewed for an award of a $300 prize to the winning paper presentation.

GUIDELINES FOR PAPERS

• Problems are clearly identified and solutions proposed
• Themes may include locally implemented experiences resulting in success or failure, theoretical models, statistical studies, or state of the art reviews
• Although formal research methodology is not required, papers should develop clear positions or concepts

EVALUATION

Papers will be selected on:

• Significance of topics to library professions
• Development of concept and quality of organization
• Clarity of ideas and objectives

Final presentations will be judged at the annual conference on:

• Objectives are evident, with clear ideas and concepts
• Quality of organization
• Quality of presentation, use of visuals, etc.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Authors must be current members of MPLA
• Papers must be original – not published or presented elsewhere
• Papers in length from two to six pages, with bibliography and appendices as needed
• Selected authors will make a presentation of the paper at the 2007 NMLA/MPLA Joint Conference
• Submit an abstract electronically by January 17, 2007 to: jfandrich@msubillings.edu

For more information contact:

Jan Fandrich, Technical & Access Services Librarian
Montana State University-Billings Library
1500 University Drive
Billings, MT 59101
Voice: 406-657-1665
Fax: 406-657-2037
Email: jfandrich@msubillings.edu

MPLA Professional Development Grants are available to fund research and travel!
See application information at the MPLA website: http://www.mpla.us/committees/profdev/grants.html