(via Dr. Karen Kaufman, Seminole State College)
Periodically, the ALA Library Research Round Table (LRRT) acts as the principal supporter of the Library Research Seminar (LRS). LRS has a rich past, with notable institutions hosting the event. Recent Seminar locations have included the University of South Carolina, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the University of Maryland. Featured speakers have been Miriam Sweeney, Edward Tenner, Barbara Ford, and David Gracy. (See Library Research Seminar | Round Tables for more information.) The LRS is the home of cutting-edge inquiry and scholarship into a variety of library-related activities, management, economics, and services. In-depth research, including interdisciplinary research, is the hallmark of each LRS. The educational, communication, technical, sociological, economic, political, psychological, and other approaches to libraries of all types are welcome at the LRS. Participants come from a wide range of environments and explore a wealth of contexts.
The Seminar is hosted by an institution that is especially interested in library-related research; typically a university (with or without an ALA-accredited library and information science program) hosts the event. The LRRT Steering Committee is charged with the selection of the next host institution.
Any institution interested in hosting the next LRS, preferably to be held in October of 2024, should submit a bid to the current Chair of LRRT, Karen Kaufmann (kaufmannk@seminolestate.edu) by Wednesday, February 1, 2023.
New to the LRS Seminar bid process this year, is the opportunity for interested host institutions to include in the proposals three Seminar format options: in-person, hybrid, or virtual. The LRRT will establish a working committee that will be able to consult with potential hosts, along with the selected host, on many of the details related to the offering and administration of the Seminar. The selected host will be responsible for establishing a theme (as specific or as general as you choose) for the Seminar.
Guidelines for the bid and processes related to the bids.
Bidding institutions should include the following information:
- Where the LRS VIII is to take place including identifying the intended format (in-person, hybrid, or virtual)
- Assurance that there will be accommodations for attendees
- Assurance that there will be adequate meeting space
- Assurance that there will be local financial and administrative support for the Seminar
- Assurance that catering will be sufficient (in the event of an in-person or hybrid Seminar)
- Provision of any social events related to the Seminar (including, but not limited to, receptions, breakfasts, lunches, breaks between sessions, and (optional) dinners; again, in the event of an in-person or hybrid Seminar)
- Detailed budget, including all events and expenses
Some of the details can be worked out with the LRRT working committee
- Registration for the Seminar
- Provision of a Web site to support the Seminar
- Plans for promotion of the Seminar
The LRS typically is comprised of:
- Plenary speaker(s)
- Papers (15- 20 minutes presentation time)
- Panels (total of 75 minutes presentation and Q&A time)
- Posters
- Audience participation
The papers, panels, and posters will be subjected to a double-blind peer review process. Any other anticipated activities should be included in the bid.
The LRRT Steering Committee, plus the LRRT working committee, will review the bids according to the above criteria. Should individuals interested in bidding have questions about the criteria or process, they can feel free to contact the principal source, Karen Kaufmann (kaufmannk@seminolestate.edu) or John Budd (buddj@missouri.edu), the chief coordinator of the project. The Steering and working committees will render a decision regarding the bids within six weeks of the Wednesday, February 1, 2023, deadline. The person(s) responsible for the winning bid will be notified immediately thereafter.