2015 Conference on Inclusion and Diversity in Library and Information Science (CIDLIS)

2015 Conference on Inclusion and Diversity in Library and Information Science (CIDLIS) Registration and Paper Submissions Now Open

The 2015 Conference on Inclusion and Diversity in Library and Information Science (CIDLIS) is now accepting registrations and submissions. The conference (known in past years as the Symposium on Diversity in LIS Education) focuses on issues of diversity, inclusion, and information access in library and information professions. It will be held at the University of Maryland on October 15 and 16, 2015. Please note that this is a corrected date from some previous announcements.

It is the one place that practitioners, educators and scholars interested in issues of diversity, inclusion, rights, and justice in LIS can gather to learn, share, and network. The two previous events have included more than 170 attendees; it is a large and vibrant community who attend this conference.

I. Registration and Workshops

As always, attendance is free (and so is the food). All you need to do is send an email to lisdiversity@gmail.com with the word “Registration” in the subject line. Please include your name, title, organization, and contact information.

The main day of the conference will be on Friday, October 16. That day’s events will include the presentations, keynote talks, and the presentation of the James Partridge Award.

The events of October 15 will be in the evening – three concurrent workshops:

• A session for doctoral students interested in conducting research and teaching on topics of diversity and inclusion in library and information science;

• A session for faculty interested in conducting research and teaching on topics of diversity and inclusion in library and information science; and

• A session for library professionals interested in collecting data to improve services to diverse populations.

Each workshop will be facilitated by faculty working in these areas.

Space is limited for the workshops. If you want to attend one of them, please clearly indicate which one in your registration email. Unless you say you want to participate in one of the workshops, we will assume that you only want to attend the events on October 16.

When you register, you will also be given the opportunity to make a donation to help support the event. It is not required, but it would be appreciated.

II. Submissions

This year, papers for the conference will be refereed and published as proceedings in the new open access Journal of Inclusion and Diversity in Library & Information Science Education (JIDLIS).

The CDLIS planning committee welcomes abstracts that address topics including – but not limited to – the following themes:

• Increasing diversity in LIS education, professions, research, and practice

• Libraries and information organizations as change agents

• The impact of libraries/librarians on social justice

• Libraries as Institutions of Human Rights

• Programming and service to underserved populations

• Programming and service to patrons with disabilities

• Cultural competence in LIS

• Methods for increasing diversity in LIS

Your abstract should be no more than 350 words and also include a title, and your name, title, organization, and contact information. Submitted abstracts must describe papers that have not been published previously nor are under consideration for publication.

Abstracts must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on August 30 via an email to lisdiversity@gmail.com. The subject line of the email should be “Submission.”

Please email questions regarding registration and the call for abstracts to lisdiversity@gmail.com.

Additional information as available will be posted at: http://ipac.umd.edu/cidlis-2015

Sponsors for the 2015 CIDLIS include the Information Policy & Access Center (iPAC), the College of Information Studies at the University of Maryland, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion at the University of Maryland, University of Maryland Libraries, ProQuest, Cecil County Libraries (MD), Harford County Libraries (MD), Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (MD), Carroll County Libraries (MD), and Simmona Simmons.