The Center for Research Libraries and its French (CIFNAL) and German (GNARP) international programs, together with French and German partners, invite proposals for papers, presentations, and posters to be presented at an international symposium. New Directions for Libraries, Scholars, and Partnerships will be held on October 13, 2017 at the German National Library in Frankfurt, Germany. 

Themes and opportunities

France will be the Guest of Honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair (October 11-15, 2017), making this symposium an unparalleled opportunity to gather library and scholarly communication professionals from North America, France and Francophone countries, Germany, and beyond. Special emphasis will be on digital scholarship in the humanities and social sciences; distinctive services or collections; practical strategies for facilitating learning and research; and proposals for partnerships. Scholars work in the global arena; academic and research libraries in Europe and North America share the challenges inherent in supporting and participating in teaching and scholarship. Collaboration, innovation, and international partnerships are necessary for an effective and sustainable infrastructure for critical inquiry and research.

Proposals are encouraged from library and scholarly communication professionals at all career stages. Successful proposals may address the general symposium themes of innovation, collaboration, or partnerships or be inspired by the related topics suggested below. Presentations or papers should be 15 minutes long; poster specifications are available here. 

Potential topics

• New Dimensions of Engagement with Scholars and Students
  • Transforming research information services
  • Contributing to emerging research methods, sources and practices
  • Developing subject and liaison librarianship
  • Using digital tools for teaching and learning in European studies
• Strategies for Collections and Partnerships
  • Regional and international alliances and partnerships
  • Distinctive French-language collections
  • Digital humanities or social sciences projects in French or European studies
  • Addressing international interlibrary loan and document delivery dilemmas
• The 21st Century Digital and/or Hybrid Scholarship Cycle
  • Issues and solutions for humanities and social science scholars
  • Effects of the current publishing (r)evolution
  • Open Access and copyright
  • Collecting and managing born-digital or transmedia material
  • Preservation and archiving
• Tools and Techniques for Sustained Professional Development
  • Engaging new library professionals in international collaborations
  • Internships, exchanges, training, and curriculum innovation
  • Digital pedagogy and digital tools
  • Teaching information literacy and research methods
  • Librarianship and the liberal arts

Submission guidelines

Please submit your proposal by March 15, 2017 for a 15 minute paper or presentation (about 2,000-3,000 words, or PPT presentation) or for a poster (A1 size or approximately 24” x 36”). Use the submission form on the symposium website, and include an abstract of 500 words or less. Notification will be by May 1, 2017. Final presentation drafts are due September 20, 2017.

The primary symposium language will be English. If you need to present in French, please contact organizers to describe how you might provide translation into English, or to discuss translation options.

For further questions about posters or presentations, contact frankfurtsymposium@listserv.crl.edu.

Important dates

• Proposal submission - EXTENDED deadline: March 30, 2017
• Notification of authors: May 1, 2017
• Early symposium registration: August 1, 2017 (registration is required of all attendees)
• Submission of paper (text), presentation (PPT), or poster (PDF): September 20, 2017
• Symposium: October 13, 2017
• Frankfurt Book Fair: October 11-15, 2017

General information

Participants are responsible for their own lodging and travel; however, suggestions and local information will be posted on the symposium website. Please note that Frankfurt Book Fair registration includes regional transportation for the five Fair days, permitting registrants to stay more cheaply outside the city, with easy access to key locations. The symposium registration fee will be moderate.

Symposium organizers are planning other activities to take place during the Book Fair week. Please consult the symposium website for forthcoming information about these activities, and for the program.