[IFLA-L] Call for papers Reference and Information Services Section for World Library and Information Congress Quebec 2008

World Library and Information Congress Quebec– Canada, 10 -– 14 August 2008

IFLA Reference and Information Services Section invites the submission of proposals for papers to be presented at a two-hour session in Quebec

Theme:
Have we have blown up the reference desk? Reference Services in virtual worlds

Subjects of interest:
This open session will provide pro and contra experiences and arguments for reference services in virtual worlds. We have moved on from the reference librarian on the internet or in an ‘ask-a-librarian’ service. By looking at both the virtual world (such as Second Life) and the physical world, there will the opportunity for an open-minded investigation into the suite of information services now on offer.

This Session is not about connectivity or technology, but about user expectations, service delivery and staff. It looks at the following questions:

Are there new roles for libraries and librarians in virtual worlds?

What does it mean to be a virtual librarian and what knowledge base and skills does that librarian need?

How does real life service link in with virtual / Second Life services and can the same level of service be provided in both environments?

Will reference staff as gamers be able to connect to and be of relevance to users, or do they stay with their more traditional roles?

In the mean time what is happening in the real life service? How are services being provided and from where? Can physical and virtual services work side by side?

Do we need to re-think our purposes and infrastructures?

Proposals
Deadline for submitting a detailed one-page abstract and full author details is January 22, 2008. Late submissions will not be considered. The selected presenters will be notified by end ofFebruary 2008.

Papers
Must be original; written in English, or with an English translation attached, and should be no longer than maximum 5,000 words with an abstract of 350 words. Selected papers will be published on the IFLA website prior to the conference and must be submitted no later than May 1, 2008 Presentations at the session will be a summary of the paper in English or a virtual presentation with accompanying introduction - either should not exceed 20 minutes in length. There will be an open forum to
allow audience interaction with the speakers, who should be fluent in
English.

Please note that the expenses of attending the Quebec conference will be the responsibility of the author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted papers and at least one of the presenters/authors must be present for the programme.

Please send your abstract via e-mail to:
Amanda Duffy
184 Burnt Oak Lane
Sidcup, Kent
DA15 9DG
UNITED KINGDOM
Phone (+44) 208 300 0845
E-mail burntoak@dsl.pipex.com