Call for Education Program Proposals 

The 2024 OLA Super Conference Program Proposal Site will open August 22, 2023 until September 29, 2023. 

 

Planning Your Education Program Proposal 

Key Dates 

Proposal site opens: August 22, 2023 
Proposal site closes: September 29, 2023 
Proposal review begins: October 3, 2023 
Proposal review ends: October 17, 2023 
Preliminary Schedule Announced: November 1, 2023 
Registration Opens: October 2023 
Early Bird Registration Closes: November 23, 2023 

 

Proposal Evaluation Criteria 

The OLA Proposal Review Rubric is included in the call for proposals and on the proposal submission site for your use. Carefully review the selection criteria and keep it available for reference when creating your proposal. Writing your proposal so that it clearly addresses all criteria on the rubric will make it easier for the SC planners to score. 

Proposals will be evaluated on each of the following: 

  • Proposal Title & Description 
  • Learning Objectives 
  • Timeliness & Demand 
  • Presentation & Engagement Style 
  • Relevance to the Target Audience 
  • Inclusion of Perspectives 
  • Content focused on new approaches to work, and driving change in the library sector.

 

Program Proposal Guide 

Please review the more detailed OLA Program Proposal Information Guide for explanations and definitions of the learning formats, evaluation criteria, and step-by-step instructions on submitting a proposal. 

Education Formats 

Attendees at the OLA Super Conference have identified a preference for sessions that allow for active and applied learning opportunities. We have programmed a number of conference learning formats to give you a range or options as a speaker. Please choose the type that best suits your content, your learning objectives and your personal style. 

Conversations (30 minutes) 

  • Peer-to-peer conversations on topic that are important and timely to the library community 
  • Led by 1-2 facilitators 

Shop Talk (15-20 minutes) 

  • Bite-sized presentation on timely topics and tools. 
  • These are practical talks with tangible learning objectives that will improve the audiences everyday work, and ability to achieve or improve upon a task. 
  • Shop Talks will be grouped based on subject matter and intended audience. 

Learning Lab (60-75 minutes) 

  • This is a standard conference session. Active instruction with the goal of the audience understanding a specific method, approach or opportunity. 
  • This is not a show and tell session – this is a chance to demonstrate how another library system can learn from something you have done, and apply it themselves. 

Poster Presentation (60 minute Q&A) 

  • Poster presentations demonstrate a tangible activity, project or concept. They do not need to follow formal research poster protocols, but should be engaging, informative and concise. 
  • Presenters are responsible for their own printed poster. Poster board dimensions 37’’ x 70’’. Presenters will also have the opportunity to upload a short audio track to the mobile app, giving context to their poster. 

Long Workshop (2-3 hours) 

  • In-depth and interactive workshop 
  • Led in-person by content expert(s) 

 

FAQs 

Does OLA have a Code of Conduct for conference? 

 

If my proposal is accepted, am I responsible for my own travel, accommodation and registration fees? 

  • Yes, all presenters are responsible for their travel and accommodation fees and reservations. Speaker registration rates will be available to all those accepted in the final program, a savings of over 50%.