Call for Papers

With the theme “Connected Actions, Collective Vision: Libraries Transforming Society,” PLAI envisions to lead the country’s library community in a collective call to connected actions towards transforming society.  Libraries have the capacity to transform societies, thereby contributing to the development of a nation.

This is also in connection with the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ (IFLA) Strategic Plan for 2016-2021 that includes Strategic Direction 1, which states that:

Strategic Direction: 1. Libraries in Society – We will empower libraries to build literate, informed and participative societies. We will develop strategies and tools to enable libraries to act as key providers of information, education, research, culture and social participation.

1. Understand the role of libraries and information centers in building literate, informed, and participative societies, thereby contributing to societal, cultural, and economic growth of a nation;
2. Recognize that connected actions and collective vision of the library community will help libraries address the challenges of the future;
3. To engage libraries, archives, and other cultural heritage partners and institutions in safeguarding cultural heritage in all its diverse forms;
4. To advocate the roles of librarians and library associations as key players for societal improvements and change through capacity building and professional agenda.

The Conference Committee invites submission of abstracts for paper/oral (professional category) and poster (professional and/or undergraduate student categories) presentations. The abstracts should be in line with the general theme and topics based on IFLA’s four Strategic Directions, namely:

I. Libraries in Society
Building literate, informed, and participative societies using strategies and tools to enable libraries as key providers of information

II. Information and Knowledge
Providing equitable access to information and knowledge in any form and place

III.Cultural Heritage
Safeguarding cultural heritage in its diverse forms (traditional, historical, indigenous, and contemporary expressions)

IV. Capacity Building
Advocating libraries and librarians as key players for national, regional, and global change

Full text of IFLA Strategic Plan 2016-2021 is accessible at:
https://www.ifla.org/files/assets/hq/gb/strategic-plan/2016-2021.pdf

Paper/oral presentation (Professional Category): 20-30 minutes presentation, with 10-15 minutes for questions during the plenary session.

Poster presentation (Professional and Undergraduate Student Categories): Presentation describing the research project with the aid of the text and visuals in the poster. Authors must be present to interact and respond to the questions from the participants. 

Abstracts for paper and poster presentations should be submitted using the following format:

1. Title of Paper (in capital letters, Times New Roman font size 14)
2. Name of Presenter/s. Use * for the presenting author
3. Institution/Company Affiliation (including official designation and office address)
4. Contact details: email address and mobile number
5. Paper abstract (not more than 300 words, Times New Roman font, size 12)
6. Keywords (2-5 words)
7. Regional Council to which the member belongs
8. Brief author’s biography (maximum of 3 pages)
9. Professional/ Government/ Company ID (For Librarians: PRC license should be valid/updated by the time of the Congress)

Abstracts must be sent to: PLAI Conference Committee plaicongress@gmail.com

Use PLAI Congress Abstract Submission [Paper or Poster (Professional or Student Category)] in the subject line.

Please be informed that only upon the acceptance of the full paper (for oral presentation) by the Committee that you will be invited to present your paper at the Congress.

IMPORTANT DATES

Paper presenters: waived registration fee for one author per approved paper
Poster presenters: 50% discount on registration fee for one author per approved abstract/poster

All selected abstracts will be published in the PLAI National Congress 2018 Book of Abstracts. Full papers (oral presentation) will undergo peer-review for possible inclusion in the PLAI Journal.

Due to the limited number of available slots, submitted abstracts not selected for paper presentation may be considered for poster presentation.

For the poster presentation, each Regional Council is encouraged to have submissions for both professional and undergraduate student categories. Regional eliminations may be conducted by the Regional Councils for this purpose.