(via Laureen Cantwell-Jurkovic, Colorado Mesa University)
We are pleased to announce the upcoming Empirical Studies in Libraries Summit (ESiLS), a forum dedicated to showcasing and discussing the latest research and findings happening in and about libraries. The Summit will take place on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, via Zoom, with some asynchronous options. This event aims to bring together scholars, practitioners, and students who are engaged in empirical studies that advance our understanding of library practices, user behaviors, the impact of libraries on their communities, and more!
We invite proposals for presentations, workshops, and panel discussions that address, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Innovative methodologies in library research
- User experience and satisfaction studies
- Data-driven decision-making in library services
- Impact assessment of library programs and services
- Information-seeking and user behavior studies
- Collaboration between libraries and community organizations
- The role of libraries in promoting digital or information literacy
- Case studies highlighting successful empirical research in libraries
Proposal Guidelines:
- Submission Format: Proposals should be submitted by Friday, December 20, 2024. Proposals should include: Title, Authors, Abstract, and Format.
- Review Process: All submissions will undergo a blind-peer-review process by the organizers of the conference. Proposals will be evaluated based on their originality, relevance to the Summit theme, methodological rigor, and potential impact on the library community. Session proposals that do not include empirical data collection will not be accepted. Session proposals that are not accepted may be asked to convert their session to an asynchronous poster.
- Notification of Acceptance: Authors will be notified of the acceptance of their proposals by Monday, January 20, 2025.
We encourage researchers as well as practitioners in academic, public, special, and all other libraries to submit proposals. Doctoral students are especially encouraged to apply. To further our commitment to inclusivity, proposers will have the option to disclose whether or not they are members of marginalized communities during the submission process. We aim to amplify the voices of those from these communities and strongly encourage their participation in submitting proposals.
Questions about the Empirical Studies in Libraries Summit may be sent to the organizers, at info@esils.org. Additional information is available on our website https://www.esils.org.