2020 WAPL Conference Call for Proposals: Due December 31, 2019

http://wla.wisconsinlibraries.org/wapl/conferences-events/wapl-conference

Please read the following Call for Proposals, brought to us by ​WAPL Conference Programming Co-Chairs Eva Kozerski, Black Creek Village Library; Angie Bodzislaw, Spooner Memorial Library; and Kaushalya Ivengar, Waukesha Public Library:

Now is the time to look past impossibilities and obstacles and focus on possibilities…

We’re looking for library staff who believe in infinite possibilities! The Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL) Annual Conference Programming Committee seeks program proposals for the next public library conference to be held April 29 – May 1, 2020 at the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel & Conference Center in Oshkosh.

With a theme of Infinite Possibilities, the goal of this year’s conference is that attendees will leave believing that there are infinite possibilities when they are given guidance, encouragement and wisdom. Rather than focusing on impossibilities and weaknesses, we want this conference to be all about possibilities, strengths and strategies to make the most of our work as library staff. We want you to think big picture, but we also want to hear practical and effective strategies, ideas and projects from your corner of the library world that at one time were only “possibilities.”

We encourage small librarians and staff to step up and share how they have led their library by considering possibilities instead of obstacles. We encourage youth and adult services staff to step up and share stories of collaboration and techniques that have led to possibilities in their community. We encourage library directors, trustees, system and support staff, and managers to step up and share how they have turned impossible situations into possibilities despite budget issues, feeling unheard when advocating, building projects, times of uncertainty, and more. We encourage topics such as technology, inclusivity, staffing, fundraising and outreach. We want to continue the important conversation about diversity in staffing, serving, programming and cultivating connections. We encourage library staff and leaders of color to lead these conversations and other programs as well.

Proposals for presentations, panels, workshops and business meetings are welcome. Sessions will run either 45 or 60 minutes in length with a maximum of four presenters.

Please use the Program Proposal Form to submit a program. 

Submission deadline is December 31, 2019! 

Acceptance or rejection notifications will take place no later than February 14, 2020.
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Please contact us with any questions. We're looking forward to an excellent conference!

​WAPL Conference Programming Co-Chairs 
Eva Kozerski, Black Creek Village Library
Angie Bodzislaw, Spooner Memorial Library