Call for Papers 23

The 2023 conference theme, Sense and Sustainability: Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability in Libraries, will explore aspects of how libraries are responding to current sustainability issues, and discuss likely future trends and developments in relation to library design, services, technology, collections, teaching and research.

CONUL invites submissions for presentations and posters which address topics including, but not limited to:

  • The Green Library – library design, space, and services
  • Sustainability and Open Science and Open Research
  • Libraries and Sustainability Development Goals
  • Sustainable Collection Development
  • Sustainability and Strategic planning
  • The Green library – emerging innovative and smart technologies
  • Sustainability in library preservation, conservation, and digitisation
  • Promoting Sustainability Literacy
  • Sustainability in Research
Submit Your Abstract
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The Conference Committee welcomes proposals on the theme and sub-themes which include trends which may shape the future and practical elements of research and academic librarianship. Papers that may not fit into the above topics but relate to the overall theme are equally welcome.

An abstract can be submitted for consideration as one of the following conference session formats:

  • Parallel Paper: a 20 minute presentation followed by Q&A
  • Lightning Talk: a 10 minute presentation followed by Q&A
  • Show & Tell: a 5 minute presentation followed by an opportunity for delegates to have 1-1 discussions with presenters
  • Workshop: an interactive 60 minute session which involves the audience participation throughout the session
  • Talent Show: This session is ideal for presenting projects, demonstrating technology or pitching ideas. Participants have 3-5 minutes to demo their concepts. Between 5-7 “acts” perform before the audience is asked to vote on their favourite
  • Poster Presentation: highlight and share your library activities or research

Oral presentations: 300 word abstract submission

Poster presentations: 100 word abstract submission

The closing date for abstract submission is Midnight (GMT), Monday 16th January 2023. This is a fixed deadline and will not be extended. Further information on the Call for Papers, including presentation types, important dates and submission guidelines are available here.

Important Dates

  • Opening of Call for Papers:Monday 28th November 2022
    • Deadline for abstract submission: Midnight (GMT), Monday 16th January 2023
    • Notification of abstract acceptance: Monday 13th February 2023.
    • Deadline for registration of presenters: 5pm (GMT), Friday 24th February 2023
    • Deadline for submission of final presentation: Midnight (GMT) Sunday 21st May 2023
Presentation Formats

Parallel Paper

20-minute presentation and Q&A. This format provides an opportunity to explore a topic or research project in some depth.

Lightning Talk

10-minute presentation and Q&A. This format provides an opportunity to showcase short research projects and case studies and to receive feedback and questions about your work.

Show & Tell

5-minute presentation followed by an opportunity for delegates to have 1-1 discussions with presenters.

Workshop

An interactive 60 minute session which involves the audience participation throughout the session

Talent Show

This session is ideal for presenting projects, demonstrating technology or pitching ideas. Participants have 3-5 minutes to demo their concepts. Between 5-7 “acts” perform before the audience is asked to vote on their favourite

Poster Presentation

This format provides an opportunity to showcase visually short research projects or case studies.

Oral Presentation & Poster Submission Requirements

  • The working language of the Conference is English. All presentations (oral and poster) must be delivered in English
  • Submitted abstracts, full papers and/or posters may be published in print and/or online after the conference
  • The Conference Programme Committee may, at its discretion, move an accepted submission into another presentation type or thematic category to ensure continuity of the Conference programme
  • When notified of acceptance, presenters are required to confirm their offer by registering for the full residential conference by 5pm (GMT), Friday 24th February 2023 or they shall be removed from the programme

Oral Presentations

  • Parallel papers and lightning talks should be a practically based presentation on a completed or current project that showcases the conference theme of Sense and Sustainability: Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability in Libraries
  • Presenters may be required to participate in panel Q&A sessions at the end of plenary or parallel sessions
  • Presenters may be recorded for live streaming. A recording of their presentation and a copy of their slides may be published online after the conference
  • Parallel papers may be included in either plenary or parallel sessions. The Programme Committee may, at its discretion, move an accepted submission into another category to ensure continuity of the conference programme
  • Presenters are required to submit the final version of their presentation by Midnight (GMT) Sunday 21st May 2023. Please note it will not be possible to facilitate last minute changes
  • Presentations for parallel papers, lightning talks and show & tell papers should be created in MS PowerPoint, MS Sway, or PDF

Poster Presentations

  • Poster presenter(s) are expected to be available during the allocated poster session time(s) on the Conference programme
  • The poster should be of A1 portrait size and professionally printed. Posters should not be mounted on rigid backing as they will be displayed on poster boards
  • Please note all expenses for design and printing are the responsibility of the presenter(s)
  • At the conference it would be ideal to have a leaflet/brochure of your poster to give to delegates
  • The final version of the printed poster should be submitted as a PDF file for publishing online post-conference
  • Poster presenters are required to submit the final version of their poster presentation by Midnight (GMT) Sunday 21st May 2023. Please note it will not be possible to facilitate last minute changes