Tag: IFLA

Open Session Call for Papers: Using Oral History to Document the Histories of Library Associations and Evolving Library Practice [IFLA]

Open Session Call for Papers: Using Oral History to Document the Histories of Library Associations and Evolving Library Practice

Library History Special Interest Group with IFLA Sections of Preservation and Conservation, Information Technology, Library and Research Services for Parliaments, Library Theory and Research, and the Kazakhstan Library Union

Session Theme: 

A Focus on Diverse Communities and Ethical Preservation in the Digital Age

Libraries and archives play a pivotal role in documenting the histories of library associations, yet challenges persist in preserving these narratives—particularly those of underrepresented communities and born-digital records. This call for papers invites contributions that explore the opportunities and challenges of using oral history to document the histories of library associations and their evolving practices, with a focus on diversity, collaboration, and preservation in the digital age.

Call for Papers: 

The IFLA Special Interest Group Library History, together with the IFLA Sections of Preservation and Conservation, Information Technology, Parliamentary Libraries, Library Theory and Research, (to be confirmed) and the Kazakhstan Library Union are seeking proposals for papers to be presented at a session to be held at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Astana, Kazakhstan, 18-22 August 2025. Papers should reflect the conference theme, “Uniting Knowledge, Building the Future”

Themes and Objectives

This call aims to advance discussions around oral history’s role in documenting library association histories, addressing critical questions such as (not limited to.):

  • How can oral history initiatives overcome the tension between subjective memory and historical accuracy?
  • What is the role of archivists as curators versus creators of records, particularly in oral history projects?
  • How can libraries and archives ensure the preservation and accessibility of born-digital records?

Contributions are encouraged to address the following themes:

                1.            Oral history and archival theory

  • How has oral history challenged and informed archival theory and practice over the past fifty years?
  • What ethical, human-centered approaches can libraries adopt to integrate oral histories into their collections?
  • Reconfiguration of the role of librarians and archivists in the development of oral historiography: from ‘custodians of knowledge’ to ‘creators of knowledge’

                2.            Diversity and sustainability in oral history projects

  • Case studies highlighting oral history projects that document diverse and underrepresented voices.
  • Examples of library and archival initiatives that connect with communities to preserve cultural and professional heritage.
  • Models that ensure the sustainability of projects and programs that seek to document the history of the field.

                3.            Preserving born-digital content

  • Challenges and best practices for managing born-digital records in the context of library association histories.
  • Strategies for ensuring long-term access, curation, and stewardship of digital content.

                4.            Global perspectives on library association histories

  • Insights from international organizations on the preservation of library professional association histories, as discussed at IFLA and other forums.
  • Collaborative efforts across continents to document and share the histories of library and information science associations.
  • Comparative regional studies: comparing differences in the development of library associations in Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, etc.

                5.            Innovative approaches and future directions

  • Exploring new methodologies for recording, preserving, curating and disseminating oral histories.
  • The potential for interdisciplinary collaborations to address the evolving needs of the field.
  • Exploring the indicators and methods for assessing the quality of oral history work
  • Exploring the use of AI and machine learning in the preservation and analysis of oral histories.
  • Discussing the role of digital tools in improving the accessibility and usability of oral history archives.

Why Participate?

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a global dialogue on documenting library association histories, addressing pressing issues in the preservation of oral and born-digital histories, and shaping future practices in the profession.

Submission Guidelines

Proposals should include a title, abstract (max. 300 words), and a brief biography of the author(s). Please submit your proposals to [insert contact email] by [insert deadline].

90 Minutes


Important dates & deadlines:

  • 30 April, 2025– Deadline for submission of proposal abstract
  • 13 May, 2025 – Notification of acceptance
  • 20 July, 2025 – Submission of Full-Text of Paper
  • 20 July, 2025 – Deadline for submission of presentation slides

Submission guidelines

We invite submissions of research papers, case studies, and reflective essays that align with the themes above. Join us in advancing the historical and cultural preservation of our profession, ensuring that diverse voices and digital records are not only documented but celebrated for generations to come.

Proposals should include:

  • Title of proposed presentation
  • Abstract of proposed paper (no more than 300 words)
  • Name of presenter plus position and/or title
  • Employer / affiliated institution
  • Contact information including email address, telephone number
  • Short biographical statement of presenter

Send proposals via email to: IFLA LIBHIST SIG <iflalibhistsig@gmail.com>

Use subject line: WLIC 2025 LIBHIS-SIG

Please note:

  • At least one of the paper’s authors must be present to summarize the paper during the program in Astana. Abstracts are to be submitted only with the understanding that the expenses of attending the conference will be the responsibility of the author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted papers.
  • The language of the session is expected to be English.
  • All papers presented at the WLIC 2025 will be available online under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
  • All papers must be unpublished and not previously presented.
  • Authors must disclose whether they submit this proposal to another WLIC 2025 session.
  • Authors of accepted papers must complete the IFLA Authors’ Permission Form.
  • All expenses, including registration for the conference, travel, accommodations, etc., are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. IFLA does not provide any financial support.

Call for Book Chapter Proposals on the History of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions

Call for Book Chapter Proposals on the History of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions

Key Timeline

  • Deadline for Proposals: December 15, 2024
  • August, 2025, IFLA Library History SIG Sponsored Author’s Symposium to workshop and discuss chapter drafts
  • Full chapters will be due in April 2026
  • The book will be published in 2027 by De Gruyter academic publishing

Editors:

  • Steven Witt, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
  • Peter Lor, University of Pretoria, South Africa
  • Anna Maria Tamaro, University of Parma, Italy
  • Jeffrey Wilhite, Oklahoma University, USA

Inquiries: Steve Witt, Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign swwitt@illinois.edu.

To mark the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ (IFLA) centenary, the IFLA Library History SIG seeks proposals for book chapters that investigate IFLA’s history. We seek broad and interdisciplinary perspectives that draw upon established historiographical methods and primary source materials. We encourage and welcome chapters that take regional perspectives while also seeking submissions focused on topics and themes of both information and transnational/global history as they relate to the impact and activities of IFLA on society, culture, and the information professions. Authors are encouraged to adopt analytical and critical, as distinct from annalistic and celebratory, approaches.

IFLA was founded in 1927 during a period marked by intense interest and development in the potential for organized knowledge to advance individuals and societies, accelerate science and technology, develop economies, and promote international peace and cooperation. Efforts in the library and information science field spawned ambitious projects to catalog human knowledge, standardize practices, and promote access to information through the proliferation globally of public libraries and information bureaus. In the ensuing 100 years, IFLA weathered economic depression, world war, the Cold War, regional conflict, and the continuing information revolutions. At the same time, libraries as institutions, cultural touchstones, and places of refuge played an important role in societies, advancing development, spreading literacy, and supporting governance at all levels. Libraries and the LIS professions have also served as cultural symbols that both inspire hope for social change and engender debate about the role of information and books in advancing contested values.  In short, libraries and organizations such as IFLA have helped to shape both individuals and societies throughout the past 100 years.

Submissions

Chapter proposals of no more than 1,000 words exclusive of the cover page and references are welcome.

Please include the following to facilitate the peer review process:

Cover Page that includes:

  • Author’s Name
  • Contact Information
  • Institutional Affiliation
  • Names of additional authors

Proposal with following elements:

  • Chapter Abstract (up to 1000 words) and with following elements:
  • Significance to both the history of IFLA and history of information and libraries
  • Temporal and geographical scope
  • Theme and topics covered (with reference to below organization and themes)
  • Archival and primary source materials to be used to support research
  • Bibliography containing relevant secondary source materials

Authors may submit proposals that are derived from historical research projects that have been completed or that are still in progress.

All proposals will undergo peer review.  Decisions will be communicated after the editorial committee’s review of the proposal and a full timeline and guide for authors will be provided to authors at that time.

Upon acceptance of the proposal, authors will be asked to provide a draft chapter for presentation, review, and comment at an author’s invitational symposium of the IFLA Library History SIG to be held in August of 2025.  Revised and complete chapters will be due for final review in April of 2026 to enable publication of the book in 2027.  Following review, chapters should range from 4,000 to 10,000 words inclusive of titles, abstract, manuscript, and references.  These will be submitted using the Chicago Manual of Style notes and bibliography system.

Although the final book will be published in English, the Library History SIG would like to encourage authors from diverse linguistic backgrounds to submit proposals.  The editors will work with authors who wish to write in a language other than English to facilitate translations.

Please send all submissions to the following address: IFLALIBHISTSIG@gmail.com with the following subject line: Chapter Proposal

Organization and Themes

The book aims to include both transnational and regional perspectives on IFLA and the history of libraries and the information society over the past 100 years.  The editors plan to organize the volume under the following broad themes:

  • Informational utopia – networks, knowledge organization, and the global rise of libraries
  • Cold War and the dawn of information technology
  • Information for All – access and information justice amidst globalization
  • The future of libraries in an era of ubiquitous information

Within these broad themes, regional perspectives are encouraged from the IFLA Regions:

  • Asia Oceania
  • Europe
  • Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Middle East and North Africa
  • North America
  • Sub-Saharan Africa

In addition, themes and topics to consider with this broader framing include yet are not limited to IFLA’s history as it relates to:

  • Free Access to Information Movement
  • Cultural Heritage
    • Disasters
    • Climate change
    • Committee of the Blue Shield
    • Memory of the World and UNESCO
  • Impact on social, economic, and/or political development
    • Libraries
    • Associations
    • Civil society / governance
  • Post-colonial societies
  • Globalization of information
  • Global political economy of libraries and information
  • Global governance of information and technology
  • Development of public libraries, school libraries, and other library types
  • Public library politics program
  • Relations with international Organizations or associations: League of Nations, UNESCO, WIPO, FID, etc.
  • Relations with foundations and national funding bodies: Carnegie, Bill and Melinda Gates, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) etc.
  • IFLA sections, units, and programs
  • Leadership development – related to grants and funding for conference attendance
  • Building strong library associations initiatives
  • IFLA during periods of war and social strife
  • Expansion of IFLA as truly global organization inclusive of global south etc.

During various planning sessions and presentations over the past several years, a number of themes have been identified and suggested for the centenary book.  These have been compiled by Peter Lor, one of the book editors, and are available in “Sources and themes for the historiography of IFLA”.

Contact Information

Steve Witt, PhD
Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Convenor, IFLA, Library History SIG

Contact Email

swwitt@illinois.edu

URL: https://www.ifla.org/news/call-for-book-chapter-proposals-on-the-history-of-the-international-federation-of-library-associations-and-institutions/