Call for Papers: Open Sessions

Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section

Theme:

"Multicultural Library Guideline and Toolkit – Case Studies and Illustrations from a Global Perspective"

The IFLA Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section invites proposals to be presented at a two-hour session at the next IFLA General Conference in August 2017 in Poland.

In 2015 this Section published an IFLA/Manifesto – Implementation Kit based on the IFLA/UNESCO Multicultural Library Manifesto.

“Cultural Diversity” or “Multiculturalism” refers to the harmonious co-existence and interaction of different cultures, where “culture should be regarded as the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group, and that it encompasses, in addition to art and literature; lifestyles, ways of living together, value systems, traditions and beliefs”. Cultural diversity or multiculturalism is the foundation of our collective strength in our local communities and in our global society.

The IFLA/UNESCO Multicultural Library Manifesto sets the stage for libraries to address their community’s unique cultural and linguistic needs through dedicated services and strategies. The Implementation Kit is designed to support multicultural service development by assisting libraries in planning, applying, and sustaining the principles and actions described in the Manifesto.

This session will present a workshop about the Toolkit for the first hour and will then open it up to papers that discuss case studies and illustrations of services to multicultural populations in libraries around the world.

Topics of interest include:

  • Library policies, strategic plans, and services related to cultural diversity
  • Community analysis and needs assessment of diverse library communities
  • Training of library staff
  • Use of the Manifesto
  • Collection development priorities
  • Marketing and outreach to attract different groups to the library
  • Space design that encourages inclusion and engagement

Language of the session

The language of the session is English.  However presenters may also give their talk in any of the IFLA working languages.  Simultaneous translation is not guaranteed; therefore presenters are encouraged to provide the PowerPoint in English to facilitate the understanding of ideas presented.

Important dates:

All proposals must be submitted by 17 February 2017. 

Notification of acceptance will be sent by 10 March 2017.

Successful candidates will submit a full paper by 16 June 2017.  The full paper will be posted online.

Proposals should include:

  1. Title of proposed presentation
  2. An abstract of the proposed paper of 1,000 words maximum
  3. Name(s) of presenter(s)
  4. Position or title of presenter(s)
  5. Employer or affiliated institution of presenter(s)
  6. Email address
  7. Telephone/fax numbers
  8. Short biographical statement(s) regarding the presenter(s)

Submissions

All proposals must be in before 17 February 2017.

Please email your proposals to:

Susan Schnuer
Email:  ifla.mcultp@gmail.com

Please note

At least one of the paper’s authors must be present to deliver a summary of the paper during the program in Wrocław, Poland. Abstracts should only be submitted with the understanding that the expenses of attending the conference will be the responsibility of the author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted papers.

All papers that are presented at the WLIC 2017 will be made available online via the IFLA Library under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.

Authors of accepted papers must complete the IFLA Authors’ Permission Form.

All expenses, including registration for the conference, travel, accommodation etc., are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. No financial support can be provided by IFLA, but a special invitation letter can be issued to authors.

Congress Participation Grants

List of opportunities for support is available on our Conference Participation Grants webpage