Is there something you would like to talk to other instruction
librarians about?
Consider convening a discussion with instruction librarians at the ALA
Midwinter convention in Denver in January, 2009, to share your ideas,
get feedback on your research, find a colleague for research, get more
ideas, increase your expertise.
ACRL/Instruction Section (IS) Current Issue Discussion Groups
Call for proposals for ALA Midwinter Conference, January 2009
Description
Current Issue Discussion Groups provide a way for IS members to
introduce instruction-related topics of current importance, to promote
discussion and encourage further exploration.
What to Include in the Proposal
The following five elements need to be addressed and clearly stated in
the proposal:
-A clear description of the discussion topic’s issue/s
-Rationale for convening a discussion on the topic’s issue/s
-Importance of the topic’s issue/s for academic instruction librarians
-At least three sample discussion questions that may be used to facilitate group discussion
-Proposed strategies and structure that will maintain group discussion
The potential scope of issues includes, but is not limited to:
Teaching methods; Instruction and Information technology;
Assessment; Management of instruction programs; Outreach and
collaboration; Research in academic information literacy. The topic
should be focused enough to be covered reasonably well within the
allotted time. (For example “Everything about WIKIs” would be too broad,
while “Using WIKIs in Library Instruction at Academic Institutions”
might be just the right scope).
Expectations for Current Issue Discussion Group Conveners
For the selected proposals, the proposal author(s) will serve as
convener(s) and commit to:
-becoming up-to-date and familiar with the discussion topic;
-exploring possible discussion formats and selecting the appropriate format that allows for maximum discussion within the parameters and scope of the topic;
-drafting an initial two-page to three-page, double spaced
“Current Issue Digest” summarizing findings about the issue to be posted to ILI-L at least two weeks (by January 8, 2009) before the conference and handed out at the discussion;
-identifying a few key readings, related organizations and/or
programs to include in the “Current Issue Digest;”
-facilitating one of two “Current Issue Discussions” at the ALA Midwinter Conference (in Denver, CO: January 23-28, 2009);
-revising and submitting a final “Current Issue Digest” to be posted on the IS web site within one month (by March 1, 2009) of the discussion;
-distributing the final Current Issue Digest to the ILI Listserv after the ALA Midwinter Conference;
– maintaining communication with an assigned liaison from the Discussion Group Steering Committee throughout the planning, program, and follow-up processes.
Who May Apply
Applications are welcome from any IS members. (If it is a group, one person needs to be an IS member!)
How to Apply
Complete and submit the proposal form to the IS Current Issue
Discussion Group Steering Committee co-chair by June 1, 2008. The
proposal form is attached. Send the completed form to Rebecca Jackson
(rjackson@iastate.edu).
Contact committee co-chairs Rebecca Jackson (rjackson@iastate.edu) or Gail Gradowski (ggradowski@scu.edu) with questions.
Check the IS- DGSC webpage as well for more information:
http://www.ala.org/ala/acrlbucket/is/iscommittees/webpages/discussiongroup/index.cfm
Process
Selection will be based on the perceived importance and impact
of the proposed topic. Additional selection criteria used in the
selection process include evaluating proposed topics for: timeliness,
relevancy, currency, practicality (that the topic lends itself to a
discussion), innovation, evidence of applicant’s knowledge, and clear
focus. Proposals must be submitted by June 1, 2008, for ALA Midwinter in
Denver, CO. Proposal writers will be notified by July 9, 2008, as to
whether or not their proposal was accepted and will be assigned one of
the two discussion time slots. Conveners are responsible for their own
conference registration and travel expenses.
IS Current Issue Discussion Group
Proposal Form
Proposals submitted by June 1, 2008, will be considered for one of two
discussion groups to be held at the ALA Midwinter Conference in Denver, CO.
Brief title:
(Approximately 8 words, providing a succinct description)
Please attach a summary of the proposed discussion’s focus and
its importance to the profession (Note: Keep in mind the selection
criteria used: timeliness, relevancy, currency, practicality,
innovation, evidence of applicant’s knowledge, and clear focus.):
(Up to 400 words)
Please attach a proposed outline as to how you will initiate and
facilitate discussion, as well as how you will maintain a discussion
format. Include a MINIMUM of 3 questions that will be posed in the
discussion. (Up to 400 words)
Contact information for proposed discussion group convener(s):
Name
Institution
Email Address
Phone
___ Please check to confirm that all proposed conveners are
current IS members.
___ Please check to indicate that you accept the
responsibilities of discussion group conveners.
If your proposal is selected, you will be notified by July 9,
2008. You will be appointed as a convener of your discussion group.
Conveners are responsible for becoming up-to-date and familiar with the
discussion topic, drafting an initial two-page to three-page,
double-spaced “Current Issue Digest” summarizing the discussion topic,
posting the “Current Issue Digest” to ILI-L at least one week before the
conference and handed out at the discussion, leading a discussion of the
topic, and creating a written digest of key discussion points to be
posted on the IS web site within one month after your discussion.
Conveners and other participants are responsible for their own
conference registration and travel expenses.
Submit your completed proposal form by email to Rebecca Jackson
(rjackson@iastate.edu), co-chair of the IS Discussion Group Steering
Committee, by June 1, 2008.