Periodically, the Library Research Round Table (LRRT) acts as the principal supporter of the Library Research Seminar (LRS). LRS has a rich past, with notable institutions hosting the event. Recent Seminar locations have included the University of South Carolina, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the University of Maryland. Featured speakers have been Miriam Sweeney, Edward Tenner, Barbara Ford, and David Gracy. (See Library Research Seminar | Round Tables (ala.org) for more information.) The LRS is the home of cutting-edge inquiry and scholarship into the variety of library-related activities, management, economics, and services. In-depth research, including interdisciplinary research, is the hallmark of each LRS. The educational, communication, technical, sociological, economic, political, psychological, and other approaches to libraries of all types are welcome at the LRS. Participants come from a wide range of environments and explore a wealth of contexts.
The Seminar is hosted by an institution that is especially interested in library-related research; typically a university (with or without an ALA-accredited library and information science program) hosts the event. The LRRT Steering Committee is charged with the selection of the next host institution.
Any institution interested in hosting the next LRS, preferably to be held in October of 2023, should submit a bid to the current Chair-Elect of LRRT, Karen Kaufmann (kaufmannk@seminolestate.edu) by 30 June 2022.
Guidelines for the bid and processes related to the bids.
Bidding institutions should include the following information:
- Where the LRS is to take place
- Assurance that there will be accommodations for attendees
- Assurance that there will be adequate meeting space
- Assurance that there will be local financial and administrative support for the Seminar (N.B.: there will be financial support provided to host the event; contact Karen Kaufmann for the approximate amount of this support)
- Provision of a Web site to support the Seminar from the time the bid is awarded
- Provision of any social events related to the Seminar (including, but not limited to, receptions, breakfasts, lunches, breaks between sessions, and (optional) dinners)
- Assurance that catering will be sufficient
- Registration for the Seminar (with possible assistance from the LRRT)
- Detailed budget, including funding for invited speakers, such as plenary presenters, and registration fees (again, with possible support from the LRRT)
- Plans for promotion of the Seminar
The LRS typically is comprised of:
- Plenary speaker(s)
- Papers (15- 20 minutes presentation time)
- Panels (total of 75 minutes presentation and Q&A time)
- Posters
- Audience participation
The papers, panels, and posters will be subjected to a double-blind peer review process. Any other anticipated activities should be included in the bid.
The LRRT Steering Committee, plus LRS coordinators, will review the bids according to the above criteria. Should individuals interested in bidding have questions about the criteria or process, they can feel free to contact Karen Kaufmann (kaufmannk@seminolestate.edu) or John Budd (buddj@missouri.edu), the chief coordinator of the project. The Steering and coordinator committees will render a decision regarding the bids within six weeks of the 30 June 2022 deadline. The person(s) responsible for the winning bid will be notified immediately thereafter.
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Africa Hands
Assistant Professor
East Carolina University
She/Her/Hers
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