LIRT (Library Instruction Round Table)

2025 Theme Description & Submission Guidelines:

The "Tech for Equity: Leveraging Tools and Tech to Build Inclusive Futures" free online conference invites proposals for presentations, lightning talks, PechaKuchas, and posters that explore innovative approaches, research findings, practical strategies, and emerging trends in libraries and information literacy related to new and existing technologies, particularly in support of equity and inclusivity. We welcome submissions from librarians, information literacy professionals, educators, researchers, LIS students, and other information workers from all types of libraries passionate about shaping the future of lifelong learning in the digital age.

Possible presentation topics include, but are not limited to the following, with more of a focus on practical uses rather than theory:  

• How information literacy professionals use AI or other online tools

• Positive aspects of AI or online tools

• Accessibility issues for online tools

• How AI or online tools helps our learners

• Effective or innovative use of AI or other tech tools for teaching and learning

• Decision-making on AI and tech tools for teaching and learning  for those not in decision-making roles

Introducing Topics Related to New Technologies  (to your classrooms, library, campus/organization) 

• AI or online tools and Critical Thinking

• Recognizing and incorporating Critical Librarianship in instruction, using AI or online tools

• Educational technology and accessibility

• Supporting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion through intentional instructional design

• Trauma-informed teaching 

• Continuing education and self-education of AI and online tools for library workers

Pivoting

• Best practices for engaging online, hybrid, or "hyflex"* instruction

• Providing access to print and online materials during library closures or unprecedented times

• Addressing the digital divide

• Community engagement, marketing, and outreach 

Starting from Scratch 

• Creating or rebuilding instructional programs to support digital or AI literacy, with an information literacy focus

• Redesigning instructional programs for a new format using AI or online tools

• Developing tech support systems for library workers, with an information literacy focus

• Strategies for determining user information-literacy-related needs during times of change  

• Learning from each other: Transferring and exchanging ideas related to information literacy among  types of libraries

We will be accepting proposals for presentations, lightning talks, PechaKuchas, and online  poster sessions:

Presentations (15 min presentation plus Q&A): Dynamic presentations that share experiments, works in progress, or sustained reflections and outcomes of more complete projects while engaging a range of participants and fostering connections and dialogue.

Lightning Talks (5 to 7-min lightning talk plus Q&A): Highly-focused presentations that succinctly introduce a topic, method, tool, project, or work-in-progress to catalyze ideas and foster follow-up discussions.

PechaKuchas (20 image-driven slides, 20 seconds/slide = 6 minutes 40 seconds plus Q&A) " Originating from the Japanese term for 'chit chat,' PechaKucha was developed as a storytelling format that emphasizes visuals over text and precise timing to spark curiosity, invite creative approaches, and offer quick insight into experiments, ideas, or outcomes in a dynamic and memorable way."   ChatGPT  

For more information:

"How to Make a PechaKucha Presentation for Class" 

Examples of PechaKuchas:

• "Three Six Five"

• "Cyberbullying" 

• "What work is it you are here to do?"

Posters (2 min presentation plus Q&A): Poster proposals present work on any relevant topic or offer project tools, and software demonstrations in any stage of development. Selected posters will be emailed to registered attendees one week before the conference. The hope is to allow for more discussion and questions during the interactive poster session.

PROPOSAL ELEMENTS

All proposals must have: 

• a title

• 300-word abstract

• 3 main takeaways for the audience. 

Creative and engaging proposals that include interactive elements will be given priority. Please indicate your preferred format when filling out the proposal submission form. All proposals will be blind-reviewed by a group of LILi Advisory Board members.

About LILi

LILi (Lifelong Information Literacy) is a group of professionals and students in library and related information fields, interested in information literacy. LILi members agree to abide by the LILi Code of Conduct and Community Agreement . 

The LILi Bylaws state: 

"The organization's mission shall be to:

a. investigate, craft, promote and recommend effective models of lifelong, information literacy instruction that consider previous knowledge, abilities, specific tasks and needs, evolving technology, future opportunities, and ongoing collaborations among all those committed to information literacy.

b. offer professional development and networking opportunities."

LILi website:  https://lili.libguides.com/lili

LILi's OVERALL APPROACH

We endeavor to support everyone who is interested in presenting, but ask that proposals not advertise or promote paid services or consultancy. LILi conferences are free, shared learning spaces for all. We especially encourage students and early-career folks to be part of our conference - do not hesitate to submit. We invite proposals from diverse voices, giving priority to people from marginalized communities during the submission process. We want anyone who is interested in this conference theme and the LILi mission to be part of our LILi community. At this time, LILi is only accepting English-language proposals and presentations. However, editorial support will be offered for accepted proposals to individuals whose native language is not English.

All presenters, presentations, and related materials are asked to ensure:   

• Accessibility - Presentations should be in an accessible format.

• Conference format - As an online conference, presenters should keep in mind best practices for engaging remote attendees.

• Community values - Presenters and attendees are asked to uphold our LILi Community Agreement Policy and Code of Conduct Policy. 

For accommodations please contact us as soon as possible.

Previous conferences 

Learn more about previous conferences, presentations, and more by visiting: https://lili.libguides.com/lili/conference

Questions? Natalie Marquez   marquezn@uci.edu  or Nicole Arnold, nsarnold@uci.edu 

NOTE: *"The hybrid flexible, or HyFlex, course format is an instructional approach that combines face-to-face (F2F) and online learning. Each class session and learning activity is offered in-person, synchronously online, and asynchronously online. Students can decide how to participate." 

Milman, Natalie, et al. 2020. "7 Things You Should Know About the Hyflex Model." Educause. https://library.educause.edu/resources/2020/7/7-things-you-should-know-about-the-hyflex-course-model