Call for Speakers

Digital Transformation:
Next Gen Tools & Strategies for Community Impact

Our world has been dealing with becoming digital for almost 30 years but the next frontier, digital transformation, is now upon us. A handful of successful transformations like Amazon, AirBnB, and Uber have made significant impact on traditional businesses. Governments are struggling to transform as are our cultural institutions, libraries included! Artificial intelligence, bots, cognitive computing and other leading edge technologies are allowing the mining and learning from data as never before. What can libraries learn from the vast amounts of data they create and house? How can our models change dramatically so that our impact is not diminished by our institutions and programs? Computers in Libraries 2018 delves deeper into our models, strategies, transformational technologies, creative processes, and innovative programs while looking for new and exciting solutions to engage our communities and have positive impacts on our members.

Hear from excellent and innovative libraries, network and learn from leaders in the field, and definitely be an active participant in the 33rd Computers in Libraries -- the most comprehensive North American conference and exhibition concentrating all aspects of library technology. The conference offers a multifaceted program designed to meet the needs of librarians, community and information managers, systems professionals, eresource managers, researchers, webmasters and web managers, content evaluators, digital strategists, and information specialists. The focus of the conference is on emerging and leading edge technology that allows us to engage with, and bring strategic value to, our user communities. It provides the latest information and practices for you to make informed choices for your community -- whether it is an academic, corporate, non-profit, public, or school library community.

Conference Tracks & Topics

Computers in Libraries caters to all interests and all levels of knowledge, offering five simultaneous tracks plus many workshops, networking opportunities, and an extensive exhibit hall. This year’s tracks and themes encompass: Innovative Libraries & Practices; Internet @Schools; Killer Strategies & Community Attention Grabbers; Partnerships & Collaboration; User Design & Experience; Creative Making & Makerspaces; Digital Transformation & Engagement; Information Discovery & Search; Content Management; Web Tools & Leading Edge Technology; Web Design & Development, and more.  Speakers are knowledgeable, authoritative and focus on practical applications, “how to” solutions, and case studies as well as technical and managerial issues. Please consider sharing your knowledge and ideas; send us a proposal to speak.  Below are some of the topics we hope to cover, but don’t let this list limit your imagination!  We look forward to hearing from you.

To submit a proposal for the two-day dedicated Internet@Schools track click here.     

Possible Topics (suggestions only – the more creative the topic, the better!)

Digital Transformation & Engagement Mining Library Data for Decision Making Innovative Libraries, Practices & Services Culture Changing Techniques Ebook Publishing, Distribution, Lending  User Friendly Interfaces for Positive UX Building Strong Communities Content Management & Curation Enterprise Information & Knowledge Management Understanding Community Needs & Opportunities Finding & Working with Partners Sparking Imagination & Innovation Creating Tomorrow’s Learning Environments Connecting People & Technology Creating Strategic Value Top Tips for Teaching Adults Cutting Edge Information Tools     Innovative Ways to Connect with Clients What’s New in Library Platforms? Gaming & Learning Streaming Content to Mobile Devices Library Performance Improvement Information Discovery & Visualization Web Design/Redesign & Usability Digitizing Collections Cool Web/Tech Tools Building Community Partnerships Usability Testing for Web Sites Web Development Tips & Tools New Technologies & Libraries of the Future Funding Technology  Co-ordinating Web Teams

Internet of Things & Libraries Cool Library Partnerships Mobile Computing Transforming Library Spaces Researching Customer Needs Measuring Impact of Services Library Labs & Incubators Digital Repository Management Illustrating Value & ROI Aligning with Strategic Priorities Creative Management Practices Experimenting & Learning Community Management Social Listening Making Tough Choices Future Net/Web Strategies     Future Tech & Apps Social Media & Libraries Strategic Library Competencies Managing & Engaging Digitally Maximizing User Experience Technology Planning Building Technology Alliances eLearning Strategies & Cases Managing Electronic Resources Personalization & Customization Content Management Tools     Collaboration Software Search Engine Tips & Tools Teaching Tips for All Ages         Digital Archiving Lessons learned from Techies

How to Submit a Proposal

If you would like to participate in Computers in Libraries 2018 as a speaker or workshop leader, please submit a proposal as soon as possible (September 12, 2017 at the very latest). Include the following brief details of your proposed presentation on the form: title, abstract, a few sentences of biographical information that relate you to the topic, and full contact information for you and your co-presenters (title, address, email, phone & fax). All abstracts are reviewed by the Organizing/Review Committee and notification regarding acceptance will be made in the fall.

Organizing/Reviewing Committee
Program Chair Jane I. Dysart Dysart & Jones Associates jane@dysartjones.com Phone: 416-484-6129	Helene Blowers OCLC Marshall Breeding Library Technology Guides Kathy Dempsey Marketing Library Services	Darlene Fichter University of Saskatchewan Richard Hulser Natural History Museum Los Angeles County Dick Kaser Executive Editor, Computers in Libraries	Donna Scheeder Library Strategies International Hannah Sommers George Washington University