12th National Conference of African American Librarians Call for Proposals!
The Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) is seeking proposals for innovative projects and programs for the 12th National Conference of African American Librarians (NCAAL XII).
The 12th National Conference of African American Librarians (NCAAL XII) will be held July 24 – 27, 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel, 555 Canal Street. The conference will be in person and hybrid.
The conference theme is Culture Keepers XII: Unity in Diversity: Stronger Together in the African Diaspora. NCAAL is the largest conference devoted to African-American librarianship and librarians serving minority populations. All proposals are welcome. The deadline for proposal submissions is December 15, 2023.
The committee welcomes proposals on all types of issues affecting libraries but is specifically interested in:
- Advocacy/Marketing – Showing the value of libraries and librarians
- Assessment – Evaluating library services and programs
- Black Consciousness Principles – Black joy, history, culture, resilience, life, and experience
- Boards of Trustees – Trustee duties and expectations
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Best practices
- Emerging Technologies – Recent technologies, including social media, AI, and mobile devices
- Health Information – Health issues and the use of medical and health resources; emotional labor
- Information & Financial Literacy – Teaching information and financial literacy skills
- International Relations Across the African Diaspora – Issues and trends in libraries across the African Diaspora
- Leadership & Management – Building leadership and management skills; administrators; trustees; managers
- Learning & Engaging – Children, Youth and Library Service
- Outreach & Community Engagement – Libraries connecting with the local community
- Transforming Spaces – New spaces, including learning commons and maker spaces
Presentation formats include:
- Breakout Sessions: 45-minute presentations covering emerging and current issues in libraries.
- Lightning Talk: Short 20-minute sessions introducing a new idea or project or discussing an innovative topic or recent technology being used in the library.
- Panels & Workshops: 90-minute conversations or interactive sessions addressing emerging or current issues in libraries.
- Poster Sessions: 60-minute time blocks visually showcasing research, services, projects, and issues in the field.
- Pre-conferences: Interactive half-day or day-long workshops on emerging topics in libraries that provide practical tips and techniques. Topics of interest include assessment, advocacy, copyright, grant writing, and space planning.
- Roundtables/Conversation Starters: 45-minute sessions discussing current issues in libraries.
Submit proposals online at: https://forms.gle/w3bkhhEzRqt3s94aA
The conference program committee will evaluate proposals for relevance to the conference theme, clarity, originality, and audience. Presenters will be required to register for the conference.
(Complimentary registration may be requested for non-librarian presenters) ; assign first publication rights to BCALA; and provide both hard-copy and electronic versions of presentations by the deadline date.
In accordance with American Library Association (ALA) practices, librarian presenters cannot receive honoraria nor have expenses reimbursed for presenting conference programs.
Non-librarian presenters may be eligible for per diem and/or travel reimbursement. All requests for reimbursement or honorarium are subject to approval by the conference co-chairs. Acceptance of the proposal does not guarantee funding.
For more information, please contact the Program Committee Co-chairs Michele Fenton and Deloice Holliday at: ncaalprograms1@gmail.com
The NCAAL XII Conference Co-chairs are Mahasin Ameen and Rhonda Oliver. You can reach them at: NCAALXII@bcala.org.
Important Dates:
Proposal Submission Due: December 15, 2023
Acceptance Notification: February 15, 2024
Conference Dates: July 24 -27, 2024
Founded in 1970, the Black Caucus American Library Association (BCALA) is the premier Library Association focusing on Black Librarians and patrons in the United States. BCALA serves as an advocate for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services and resources to the nation’s Black community and provides leadership for the recruitment and professional development of Black librarians.