Call for Papers — Open Sessions
Asia and Oceania Section
- 4 December 2017, 13:52
Theme: "Libraries Transformed to Transform Their Communities (Society)"
In keeping with the overall theme of the WLIC, “Transform Libraries, Transform Societies”, the open session of the IFLA Regional Section for Asia and Oceania (organised by the Regional Standing Committee – RSCAO) will focus on the role of libraries in transforming the communities by providing equitable access to information for enhancement of quality of life.
For RSCAO open session, we seek contributions that illustrate the different ways in which all types of libraries in Asia and Oceania must re-position themselves to enhance their effectiveness in contributing to the social, educational and economic development of the communities they serve. We are seeking high-quality, thoughtful and inspiring papers, and we encourage professionals across the Asia-Pacific region to submit proposals for papers on topics relating to the session theme.
Sub-themes
The following topics are suggested (though other proposals may be considered):
- Library Services (how library services are emerging to meet new user needs)
- Information Literacy (how information literacy as a catalyst is turning today’s information society into tomorrow’s learning society)
- Library Collections (how library digital collection is unlocking the opportunities for greater knowledge discovery and better preservation of valuable content and cultural heritage)
- Library Spaces (how libraries are conceptualised by communities/users and providing spaces suitable for different learning styles and usages)
- Library Technology (how innovative technologies are reshaping libraries and transforming the ways we do things)
- Library Staffing (how new skills are needed to support the changing roles of librarians and emerging services)
- Library Leadership (how library leaderships are developing to meet the challenges of managing the modern complex library)
- Library’s role (how libraries are evolving from service provider to strategic partner/asset)
- Freedom to Access Information (how libraries play an important role in facilitating access to information)
- Impact of Open Access (how open access is empowering our users)
While our suggested topics may be similar to others which will be discussed at the Conference, our approach as a Section is to look at these topics from a broad Asia-Oceania regional perspective. Authors who submit papers on specific local or national initiatives must explain how their conclusions or lessons learned could be generalized/applied elsewhere in Asia or the Pacific.
Members of other IFLA Sections are welcome to propose papers demonstrating how work in their professional field could be applied across the Asia-Oceania region, provided that there is a clear link with the theme of our open session.
Submissions
- The deadline for submitting a detailed abstract (500 words) and full author details is Wednesday 28th February 2018. Selection of papers is based on the abstract. Due to the large number of submissions received, only the successful presenters will be notified by Friday 13th April 2018.
- The committee will evaluate the submitted abstracts against criteria which include: innovative content, topical relevance, regional interest, clarity of exposition, originality, and overall quality.
- Papers must be original submissions not presented or published elsewhere – (IFLA rule).
- Full texts of papers are due on Friday 15 June 2018. Both abstracts and full papers should be submitted as a MS Word file by email.
- Papers should not be more than 4,000 words, single spaced in Times New Roman 12 point.
- Papers and abstracts should be in English.
- The author(s) should include their full contact details and brief biographical notes.
- Note: all papers presented at IFLA WLIC 2018 should be available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. Authors of submitted papers have to sign IFLA’s Authors’ Permission Form which formalises this.
Content of abstracts
Informative abstracts (500 words) should be prepared following the template provided below. Each abstract will be blind reviewed by members of the Professional Committee of Regional Standing Committee for Asia and Oceania. Abbreviated abstracts or late submissions will not be considered.
Purpose of this paper |
What are the reason(s) for writing the paper (or the aims of the research)? |
Theme |
How does it relate to the theme of the session? |
Design, methodology, approach |
How are the objectives achieved? Include the main method(s) used for the study. What is the approach to the topic, and what is the theoretical or subject scope of the paper? |
Findings |
What was found in the course of the work? This will refer to analysis, discussion, or results. |
Research limitations and implications (if applicable) |
If the paper reports on research, this section must be completed. It should include suggestions for future research and any identified limitations in the research process. |
Practical implications (if applicable) |
What outcomes and implications for practice, applications and consequences are identified? All papers should have practical applications. What changes to practice might be made as a result of this research/paper? |
Originality |
What is new in the paper? State the value of the paper and to whom. |
Presentation of accepted papers
The presenter (who need not be the author) must be fluent in English.
- Keynote – 30 Minutes
- Six Presentations/paper of 10 minutes each.10 minutes will be allowed in the session for a summary presentation based on the paper, with time for questions. Presenters should not read their full written paper.
- Discussion- 30 minutes
Submission Deadline:
Please send your abstract by Wednesday 28th February, 2018 to:
Ms Tina Yang, Secretary of RSCAO
Email: yangta@hku.hk or rscaoifla@gmail.com
Please also copy your email to:
Dr Ramesh C. Gaur, Congress Planning Committee for RSCAO Open Session -Convener
Email: rcgaur66@gmail.com
and
Mr Sanjay Bihani, Chair of RSCAO
Email: sanjaykbihani@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 Malaysia. 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 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.