12th ALIA National Library Technicians Conference
9-12 September 2003
Bridging services - embracing reality

Call for papers...

Paper presenters - please check deadlines for your finished presentations.

The theme for the 12th ALIA National Library Technicians Conference, Bridging Services: embracing reality focuses on customer service - the single most valuable service provided by libraries. Excellence in customer service attracts new clients and retains existing ones, for without clients there is no library. It also adds immeasurably to core library services and resources. In this age of rapid change, libraries face many challenges in the provision of personal customer service. To remain relevant they must keep pace with evolving technologies and societal expectations by providing new services, technologies and resources, whilst at the same time retaining the basics of quality customer service - good communication, genuine interest in clients and their needs, well trained staff, and a commitment to high standards. Library Technicians are often found at the forefront of client service - personal, online and virtual - and have a vital role to play in the planning and delivery of customer service of all kinds. The worth of excellent customer service to individuals, communities and organisations, cannot be under-estimated.

The organising committee for the 12th ALIA National Library Technicians Conference is pleased to announce the Call for Papers. Submissions from library and information professionals are welcome, with special encouragement extended to library technicians. We are calling for fresh and innovative presentations on all facets of customer service. The conference aims to bring together issues of concern for all libraries, as well as topics of interest to groups within the library community. Suggested topics are:

• policies/planning/management of library services to meet client needs/excellence in customer service;
• strategies, skills, techniques, tools and resources employed in the delivery of quality library services;
• challenges faced by libraries in providing personal customer service in a rapidly changing technological environment;
• evolving services/new technologies;
• career development, education and training.

Head to the conference themes page for full details of the overall and daily themes.

Format guidelines

• Author/s name, organisation, position and full contact details are required with presenting author/s underlined.
• Abstract is not to exceed 250 words and must be in Times New Roman 12 point with single line spacing.
• Biography is not to exceed 50 words.
• Title/abstract of proposed presentation should clearly indicate the content/topic.
• Submissions may take the following forms: papers, workshops, panel sessions/forums, poster presentations.
• Time allocations are as follows: papers - 20 minutes (with 10 minutes for introduction and questions); workshops - 90 minutes; panel sessions/forums - negotiable (30-60 minutes); poster presentation - 5 to 10 minutes.
• Papers must not have been published, accepted for publication or presented elsewhere prior to this conference.
• Acceptance or otherwise will be at the discretion of the Conference Education/Programme Committee.
• Completed papers will be required and information regarding these will be forwarded with the acceptance letter.

Speaker benefits

• Presenters will receive one free day registration on the day their paper is presented (for one presenter per paper). Day registration includes conference attendance on that day, lunch, morning and afternoon teas and entrance to the trade exhibition.

Copyright

• Authors must grant copyright permission to ALIA for publication in conference proceedings.

Important dates

Paper presenters must submit a final copy of their paper to Organisers Australia by Monday 2 June 2003, in Microsoft Word format.

Presentations in PowerPoint format must be submitted by Monday 12 August 2003.

Please note: No amendments to presentations will be accepted after 12 August 2003

Address for submissions:

Please e-mail (or post on disk/CD) your abstract to:
12th ALIA National Library Technicians Conference
c/- Organisers Australia
PO Box 1237 Milton Qld 4064
E-mail: alia@orgaus.com.au
Ph: 07 3369 7866
Fax: 07 33671471

A conference brochure [PDF, 552Kb download] is also available with details on how to submit abstracts. Should you need further information or assistance please contact Krys Henshaw, Organisers Australia at the above address.

The place to be 2003. Brisbane, Queensland

Robyn MacKenzie
Programme/Education convenor
12th ALIA National Library Technicians Conference
9-12 September 2003, Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Brisbane, Queensland.