Monday, December 05, 2011

RUSA MARS Hot Topics in Electronic Reference Discussion Group - Last call for participation

RUSA MARS Hot Topics in Electronic Reference Discussion Group - Last call for participation

Last call for participation!  Deadline extended to December 7th. 

The RUSA MARS Hot Topics in Electronic Reference Discussion Group would like to know how your library is:

Reaching out to patrons in virtual ways: old school successes and new initiatives.

Has your academic, public, or “special” library revamped an existing service or created something new and exciting to enhance and improve library services in an overwhelmingly electronic environment?  Let’s talk about: virtual reference and instruction, library presence in social networks & software programs (i.e. Facebook, Linkedin), and new models of staffing and communication (i.e. smartphones, VoIP) that are transforming the traditional reference universe.  If so, we’re seeking panelists for our upcoming program at ALA Midwinter 2012: “Reaching out to patrons in virtual ways: old school successes and new initiatives.”

Presentations are in panel format, but are relatively informal and are intended to jumpstart discussion among the attendees.  The program will be held Saturday, January 21st from 1:30 – 3:30 at the ALA Midwinter conference in Dallas, TX (room and exact location TBD).  If you are not able to attend in person but can participate virtually on the panel, this can be accommodated.  If you are interested in serving as a panelist, please contact Christa Fowler (lcfowle2@sar.usf.edu) with a short (<400 words) summary or proposal by Wednesday, December 7, 2011. The committee will notify all potential speakers by December 9th. 

We’re flexible on the final number for our panel, but expect 3-4 speakers with 15-20 minutes each.