Call for Submissions: Association for Information Science and Technology Asia Pacific Regional Conference

A low-technology or low-tech information environment is one with relatively unsophisticated technological development or equipment. For example, many institutions operate in areas with little or no Internet access or operate in infrastructure-light but mobile-heavy environments.

Even with rapid developments in technological infrastructure in many parts of the world, low-tech information environments persist for many reasons. For instance, institutional cultures and mindsets simply do not support organisational changes in information technology; the push for greener and healthier information practices may sometimes favour low-technological environment; or the lack of infrastructure or resources may render organisations and institutions to adopt adaptable and often low-tech solutions.

This conference, which takes place January 3-4, 2019, will focus on effective learning in such contexts. We are interested in (but not limited to) the following topics:

• Learning in low-tech information environments across different organisational contexts
• Case studies of information worlds, cultures, social dynamics, and access from the Asia-Pacific region
• Green information systems and learning
• Implementation of high-tech information and technological strategies in low-tech environments
• Pedagogical approaches, models, and theories for effective learning in low-tech environments
• Learning in formal and informal low-tech settings
• Strategies and challenges for learning in low-tech information environments
• Evaluation and assessment of learning in low-tech environments
• Research methods, ethics and implementation of learning in low-tech environments
• Innovation of learning in low-tech information environments
• The future of learning in low-tech environments

We invite papers, posters, panels and workshop submissions centred on this theme from or relating to the Asia-Pacific region. Work that reflects the broader mandate of ASIS&T (Association for Information Science and Technology), regarding the creation, representation, storage, access, dissemination and use of information, media and records, and the systems, tools, and technologies associated with these processes will also be of interest. The conference embraces plurality in methods and theories, and encompasses research, development and practice from a broad spectrum of domains, as encapsulated in ASIS&T's many special interest groups (SIGs). Please note that at least one of the authors must register for the conference in order for an accepted paper to be part of the proceedings.

Important dates

All proposals are to be submitted through the EasyChair system. If you have any questions about the submissions process, please contact Natalie Pang at Natalie.Pang@nus.edu.sg or Diane Velasquez at Diane.Velasquez@unisa.edu.au.

Long and Short Papers
Submission System opens: 25 June 2018
Submissions due: 22 September 2018
Notifications: 10 November 2018
Final publishable version due: 20 December 2018

Panels, Visual Presentations and Workshops 
Submission System opens: 25 June 2018
Submissions due: 22 October 2018
Notifications: 10 November 2018
Final publishable version due: 20 December 2018

Submission types

1) Long Papers:  Long papers should discuss, analyze, critique theories and concepts, or report original, unpublished research; all papers must be substantiated by experimentation, simulation, theoretical development, analysis or application in practice. Submissions will be judged on such criteria as quality of content, significance for theory, relevance for practice, method, design, originality, and quality of presentation.

2) Short Papers:  Short papers are similar to long papers in terms of scope, but may also report work in progress. Submissions will be judged on such criteria as quality of content, significance for theory, relevance for practice, method, design, originality, and quality of presentation.

3) Panels: Proposals for panels are invited on topics that explore emerging cutting-edge research and design, analyses of emerging trends, opinions on controversial issues, analyses of tools and techniques, or contrasting viewpoints from experts in complementary areas of research. Panels are not a substitute for a set of contributed papers; they must have a cohesive theme and promote lively discussions. Proposals should include an overview of the issues to be discussed and must also list panellists who have agreed to participate, indicating the qualifications and contributions of each.

4) Visual Presentations: Submissions are also invited for visual presentation via poster, demonstration, video, etc. at the meeting. Visual presentations are expected to invite questions and discussion and offer a unique opportunity to present late-breaking results, work in progress, or research that is best communicated in an interactive or graphical format.  Authors are expected to address how the work will be presented at the meeting.

5) Workshops: Workshops will be held before or after the conference. The purpose of a workshop is to provide a more informal setting for the exchange of ideas on a focused topic and suggest directions for future work. As such, they offer a good opportunity for researchers and professionals to present and discuss their work among a targeted and interested community. Workshops may be mini-focused research presentations, a series of working events, brainstorming and idea sharing, or even teaching/learning a new skill like a tutorial.

Submissions should be formatted according to the AM18 Proposal Template.

Publication opportunities

The three best conference papers (short or full) accepted by this conference will be nominated for submission to JASIST, a top journal in Information Science and Technology.

Location: University of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

For more information, visit the conference website.

Call for Proposals: 11th Annual Symposium on Scholarship and Practice

Bridging the Spectrum: The 11th Annual Symposium on Scholarship and Practice

Friday, February 8, 2019 at Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.                                 

Proposals are invited for the 2019 Bridging the Spectrum Symposium. Researchers, practitioners and students are encouraged to submit their proposals to share research findings, best practices, and works in progress at http://cuaslis.org/openconf/author/submit.php  

Proposals may relate to various aspects of library and information science including, but not limited to:

• Information services in the "fake news" era
• New developments in information organization (linked data, semantic web, blockchain, etc.)
• Preservation and management of digital and digitized resources
• Management and analysis of data and information
• Library networks and international collaboration
• Technology trends and impact on information services
• Marketing and advocacy for library and information services (social media, community engagement, etc.)
• Management of information services in cultural institutions

Presentation Formats
Proposed contributions may take the form of one of these formats:

• Briefing: A presentation on an innovative practice, initiative, or research activity. Each briefing may take 15-20 minutes. There will morning and afternoon briefing sessions.
• Panel: A panel of speakers discussing a theme or a topic, typically one hour in length. 
• Poster: A poster presentation on a practice, project, research activity or work in progress. Posters will be viewable throughout the day, and there will be a dedicated poster session as well as a "lightning round" of poster descriptions.

Important Dates
    •    Proposal Submissions Open: July 18, 2018
    •    Proposals Due: September 18, 2018
    •    Notification of Acceptances: November 5, 2018
    •    Final Program released, registration opens: December 11, 2018
    •    Symposium: February 8, 2019

Submit your proposal at http://cuaslis.org/openconf/author/submit.php

Find additional information about the 2019 Symposium at http://lis.cua.edu/symposium/2019/

ALA International Member - Sara Ulloa

I am ALA INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT highlights and recognizes talented international members from different regions around the world. The inaugural international spotlight features Sara Ulloa, a school librarian in Peru.

Can you tell us about yourself and your library?
My name is Sara Ulloa. I am a school librarian from Peru. I work at San Silvestre School, a British school in Lima, which has three libraries: Early Years, Primary and Secondary Section. I am in charge of the Secondary Section. Our library is bright and welcoming. Every year we update our collections in order to adjust it to the curriculum; we do it in collaboration with teachers and students. My favourite part is to update the Fiction collection because it is important to keep it alive for the pleasure of young readers. I like helping students to find a book they connect with. Also, I assist students with their research and subsequent referencing skills. I find being a school librarian brings out my creativity and puts in practice my other studies such as graphic design, marketing and photography. It is my hope to pursue a career in the area of Information Literacy.

Why is it important to be an international librarian today?
It is important for me to be an international librarian today because we are living in a global society. As an international librarian who comes from a country where libraries barely exist, knowing other experiences is essential. It gives me a wide perspective of the career and enhances my knowledge considering most of the research in Library Science comes from countries where their library community and policy is stronger. Also, being an international librarian connects me with colleagues from around the world who share interests in my area, school libraries. It is inspiring for me to be connected with people who are making great contributions within our profession.

Tell us three words that describe you?
Enthusiastic, curious, learner.

How has ALA helped you in your career?
It awakes my library conscience, which I define as having the sense of free access to basic services for reading, information and the world’s cultures; I consider this a basic human right but not everyone has access to it. It has allowed me to see that having a library service network within Peru is a dream that can be achieved. It has helped me to realize that having more professional librarians working in the field is a necessity. Sadly, it has also made me realize how far my country has yet to go with regard to these issues.  The ALA has also given me the opportunity for professional development. For instance, I attended its annual conference in Chicago last year and found it was amazing. It had never occurred to me that I would be surrounded by thousands of colleagues and I would be meeting authors like Raina Telgemeier, Cece Bell and Veronica Roth, among other famous personalities. Attending this type of conferences increase my motivation and learning continuum.