The Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) was founded in 1977 for the purpose of furthering the study and preservation of gravestones. AGS is an international organization with an interest in gravemarkers of all periods and styles as well as the larger cemetery as a cultural landscape. Through its publications, conferences, workshops and exhibits, AGS promotes the study of gravestones and cemeteries from historical and artistic perspectives, expands public awareness of the significance of historic gravemarkers, and encourages individuals and groups to record and preserve gravestones and historic cemeteries.  

The annual conference, to be held in person June 20-25, 2023 in Denver, Colorado at the University of Denver, features lectures, guided cemetery tours, paper sessions, roundtables, exhibits, classes, and documentation and conservation workshops.  The Association for Gravestone Studies welcomes proposals from graduate students, emerging and independent scholars, as well as established scholars and members of the Association.  Presenters are strongly encouraged to use images in their talks.  The AGS conference audience is a diverse mix of academics and members of various professions.  Scholars come from the fields of history, archaeology, cultural studies, archives, historic preservation, cultural resources management, art history, material culture, anthropology, and art.  Professionals include conservators, cemetery directors, monument company personnel, and historic site managers.  The call for papers is available on the AGS website at https://www.gravestonestudies.org/conferences/2023-conference.

We are accepting applications for general paper and workshop proposals through April 1, 2023 at AGSConfProposals@gmail.com.  All paper presentations visuals should be formatted as PowerPoint-compatible projection files.

Applications are open until April 15, 2023 for the Slater Scholarship and Stockton Scholarship – both of which are for students to present their research during the conference. Application Here.

Contact Info: 

Perky Beisel, AGS Vice President and 2023 Conference Co-Organizer, professor of History, Stephen F. Austin State University, pbeisel@sfasu.edu 

Contact Email: pbeisel@sfasu.edu

URL: https://www.gravestonestudies.org/conferences/2023-conference

Call for Speakers

Community Impact: Connecting People & Evolving Tech

Submit your proposal

Deadline April 10

What will our world be like when almost everyone can use AI to be an “artist,” a “coder,” or a “journalist”? And what about those people on the other side of the ever-widening digital divide? Digital inclusion/literacy is even more important for Internet Librarians who shine as tech leaders in their communities, whether it’s through training and enabling discovery, developing studios and makerspaces, providing access to the world’s resources, guiding community partnerships, identifying misinformation, experimenting with AI and XR to find new spaces and processes in the metaverse, or retooling the community for jobs of the future. Creating digital/multimedia content that helps connect people, libraries, communities, and their ideas and stories is at the forefront for leading libraries and this event showcases those that are excelling around the world.

The 27th Internet Librarian event highlights some of these exciting possibilities in a global virtual event. There are so many positive possible futures for libraries in every community—campuses, municipalities, hospitals, schools, corporate and nonprofit enterprises, governments, and more! The trick is to channel the passion that librarians have into building awareness and relationships in their communities; taking action and not waiting for citizens, students, researchers, business folks or faculty to come to them; creating and experimenting with innovative programs and services using new and evolving technologies; securing solid partnerships to expand programs and resources; and futurizing strong, collaborative, successful, and sustainable communities! Internet Librarian 2023 highlights how libraries are using AI and machine learning to save time for new programs, dealing with big data to pinpoint insights, using sensors and other “internet of things” devices to improve and extend services, experimenting with extended realities like augmented and virtual reality to delight their communities, and tracking and sharing applications of smart technology with their campuses, organizations, and neighborhoods. Internet Librarians never, however, lose sight of people in their communities as they futurize and transform to make sure they are relevant and valuable in their communities.

Join us at the most comprehensive conference for library and information professionals interested in technology to discover the insights, strategies, and practices that allow us to push the envelope in expanding the internet, take advantage of evolving technologies, manage libraries and digital information, and enhance the information sharing and learning experience of people in our communities. Internet Librarian Connect 2023 provides attendees with lots of opportunities to meet and hear from leading “movers and shakers” in the global information industry in all types of environments. Leaders in the information industry are integrating content and delighting their clients, organizing and managing digital content in creative ways, setting the context for excellence in information utilization in their organizations, revolutionizing the roles of info pros, creating new learning and discovery areas with makerspaces, and building strong collaborative communities among their customers, colleagues, and partners, as well as using new and evolving technologies in exciting ways. This conference encourages you to bring and share your ideas and champion new practices—this is where ideas and action come together, catalysts are born, and innovation ignites.

Information Today Inc., a key provider of technology conferences for more than 40 years, is pleased to announce the 27th annual Internet Librarian event—the only conference for information professionals who are using, developing, and embracing internet- and web-based strategies in their roles as information architects and navigators; digital managers, developers, and integrators; content evaluators and curators; taxonomists; searchers; community builders, managers, and partners; information providers, trainers, and guides; and more. This comprehensive conference and exhibition offer a wide-ranging program designed to meet the needs of librarians, information managers, systems professionals, researchers, content managers, curators and information specialists. Internet Librarian Connect 2023 caters to all interests and all levels of knowledge with four simultaneous tracks, plus many workshop and networking opportunities.

This year’s tracks encompass such topics as Discovery & Navigation, Makerspace Strategies & Creative Services, Smart Tools & Technologies, Integrating Evolving Technologies, AI & Machine Learning, User Experience, Curating Digital Assets, Resetting & Inspiring Innovation, Web Presence Development & Management, Enterprise Trends, Social Media & Networking, Collaborating With New Community Partners, Content Management, and more. Speakers are knowledgeable, authoritative and focus on practical applications, new tools and techniques, and case studies as well as technical and managerial issues. Please consider sending us a proposal to speak. Following is a list of some topics we hope to cover, but don’t let this list limit your imagination! We look forward to hearing from you.

Conference Topics

• Action for Impact – Case Studies
• Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
• Inspiring Connections & Partnerships
• Community Integration Strategies
• IoT: Internet of Things
• ROI Tips & Tools for Libraries
• Tactics Against Disinformation & Fake News
• Customer Engagement & Service
• Innovation & Excellence in Libraries
• Attention-Grabbing Engagement Strategies
• Facilitating Knowledge Sharing & Learning
• Business Practices for Library Excellence
• Revolutionizing Roles & Services
• Makerspaces & Libraries
• Creative Community Connections
• Creative Funding of Tech Initiatives
• Dealing with Changing Space Issues
• Information Discovery
• Leading Edge Technologies & Libraries
• Integrating Content for Creative Products
• Streamlining User Online Experiences
• User Generated Content & Services
• New Roles for Info Pros
• Leading Edge Digital Library Practices
• Mobile Campuses & Communities
• Improving Digital Info Flows & Access
• Identifying & Working with Information Partners
• Usability & Web Site Functionality
• Navigating & Search Tools
• Social Media Strategies & Practices
• Semantic Web Strategies and Applications
• New Workspace/place Concepts & Cases
• Next Generation eBook Strategies & Policies
• Designing for Web Devices & Appliances
• Knowledge Management Strategies
• Distance-Learning Technologies
• Navigating Strategies & Techniques
• Integrating K-12 Curriculum & Net Technology
• Web Development Tools & Techniques
• What’s Next for the Future?
• Machine Learning
• Magic Sauce Recipes for Library Success
• Smart Campuses, Cities & Companies
• New Funding Strategies & Practices
• Pivot Strategies for Fast Change
• Empowering Conversations
• Management & Leadership Development
• User Experience (UX)
• Tech Tools for Collaboration
• Impact & Value for Libraries
• Harnessing Social Media
• Digital Strategies & Practices
• Mobile & Pop Up Libraries & Services
• Digital Preservation
• Digital Content Curation
• Managing Devices & Gadgets
• Content Streaming
• Social Media Apps for Libraries
• Discovery Platforms
• Tips for Web Redesign
• Creating & Testing New Ideas
• New & Converging Technologies
• Search Engine Nuts & Bolts
• Hot Trends for Internet Librarians
• Podcasting & Videocasting – Tips
• Cool Video Applications
• Shifting Roles & Strategies
• Intranet Politics & Web Teams
• Search Engine Tips
• Cutting Edge Tech & Apps
• Negotiating for eResources
• Visual Interfaces
• eLearning Tips & Tools
• Digital Rights Management
• Digital Library Services & Archiving
• Digital Ethnography
• Building Customer Relationships

How to Submit a Proposal

If you would like to participate in Internet Librarian 2023 as a speaker or workshop leader, please complete the submission form here.

Or contact the Program Chair at the email address listed below as soon as possible (by April 10, 2023 at the latest). Include the following brief details of your proposed presentation: title, abstract, a few sentences of biographical information that relate to the topic, and full contact information (job title, address, e-mail, phone & fax) for you and any co-presenters. All abstracts will be reviewed by the Organizing/Review Committee and notification regarding acceptance will be made by June.

Jane I. Dysart, Program Chair
Dysart & Jones Associates
Email: jane@dysartjones.com

Brian Pichman, Program Coordinator
Evolve Project
Email: bpichman@evolveproject.org

Organizing/Review Committee

Erik Boekesteijn, National Library of the Netherlands
Susan Broman, Los Angeles Public Library
Cindy Hill, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
David Lee King, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
Chad Mairn, St. Petersburg College
Marydee Ojala, Editor, Computers in Libraries
Amanda Sweet, Nebraska Library Commission
Jeff Wisniewski, University of Pittsburgh

About Information Today, Inc.

Internet Librarian 2023 is organized and produced by Information Today, Inc., a diversified digital media and print publisher and conference and events organizer and producer. Our mission is to deliver world-class content in a variety of formats and serve our audiences with the information they need to make informed and critical decisions for their organizations.

The Dublin Seminar for New England Folklife (founded 1976) is pleased to announce the subject of its 2023 gathering, Indigenous Histories in New England: Pastkeepers and Pastkeeping, to be held June 23–24, 2023.

Three decades have passed since the 1993 publication of the Seminar’s proceedings Algonkians of New England. Over that space of time, both the study of Indigenous histories in the region (encompassing present-day New England and adjacent areas of New York and Canada), and understanding of the memory work of pastkeepers and pastkeeping, have been transformed.  The 2023 Seminar Indigenous Histories in New England: Pastkeepers and Pastkeeping will explore long traditions of Indigenous pastkeeping and the wide variety of ways in which Native peoples have stewarded history and memory.  

The Seminar invites proposals for papers that focus on addressing the gaps in Indigenous voice and visibility in public views of the past. We wish to critically consider who has claimed responsibility for “keeping” the Indigenous past in New England, including how it has been represented (for better or worse), how historical research can be decolonized and improved, and what museums and tribal nations have done to engage the public in better understandings.

Papers offering historical perspective might explore, for instance:

• Indigenous forms of memory-making and pastkeeping, on landscapes and in oral tradition
• Native American authors of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth century, including autobiography and tribal histories
• collections of material culture; histories of tribal museums
• repatriation and cultural recovery
• language reclamation
• artwork as vehicles for historical reflection

The Seminar will give particular attention to the work of museums, archives, historic preservation organizations, cultural centers, and initiatives that over the past thirty years have worked to provide more holistic and inclusive representations of regional Indigenous peoples and histories. 

The Seminar will convene in Deerfield, Massachusetts. This will be a hybrid program, with both on-site and virtual registration options for attendees. Speakers will present on site at Historic Deerfield.

The conference program will consist of approximately seventeen lectures of twenty minutes each. Dublin Seminar presenters are expected to submit their papers (approximately 7000 words) for consideration to the Annual Proceedings of the Dublin Seminar by June 16, 2023. The scholarship proposed should be unpublished and available for inclusion in this volume to be published about eighteen months after the conference.

To submit a proposal, please send (as a single email attachment, in MS Word or as a PDF, labeled LASTNAME.DubSem2023) a one-page prospectus that describes the paper and the archival, material, or visual sources on which it is grounded followed by a one-page vita or biography.

Email proposals to dublinseminar@historic-deerfield.org. Deadline: Noon EST Friday, March 3, 2023. 

For more information on the Dublin Seminar, see https://dublin-seminar.org/.