Call For Participation Is Now Closed

Make Waves with us!

To match a year that is unlike any other The Collective at Sea will be unlike any other event!

At The Library Collective, our journey began with a clear objective: to revolutionize professional development for library workers. As we proudly commemorate our 10th year, we are determined to push the boundaries of “Library Land” even further by delving into disruptive ideas and pioneering solutions for libraries. With the arrival of our annual gathering in 2024, themed "Make Waves! Create Change!", we aim to ignite a spirit of exploration, encouraging the pursuit of unconventional approaches to redefine the role of libraries in both the present and the future.

Libraries have undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from conventional repositories of knowledge into dynamic hubs that foster creativity, collaboration, and lifelong learning. In this spirit of progress, we extend an invitation to all those who wish to showcase how libraries are effectively meeting the diverse needs of users while challenging conventional notions. Join us on this transformative journey as we collectively redefine the roles of libraries and elevate our profession to new heights!

Whatever you have to share, we’ll consider it in our open, two-stage peer review process!

The Collective at Sea has room for robust and diverse contributions from library workers and stakeholders, from the serious to the silly, the pedagogical to the personal.

We welcome submissions in a variety of formats. We offer some provocations and suggested formats below to get you started, but you can also event your own!

If you have an idea for a session that doesn’t seem to fit into this process, please reach out to program@thelibrarycollective.org. We’re open to radically creative ideas!

Suggested Formats

Here’s some options to get you thinking but feel free to combine, riff, reinvent, or diverge from this list!

Dork Short - A short tutorial that introduces an app or tool and walks participants through a how-to and use case(s). This can totally be a third-party product, in other words something you didn't make or invent but use in a cool way. But no sales pitches, okay?

Hands-On/Skill-Building Workshop - step-by-step tutorials or instruction whose target audience is your fellow library workers. Participants should take away a new skill. Feel free to think beyond library instruction - we welcome workshops on any topics of interest to our community.

Interactive Panel (N.B. Interactive is key--no "sage on a stage" please!) - Moderated discussions with “experts” and heavy interaction from attendees. Think more Q&A and less pontificating.

Pecha Kucha - A “grown-up” version of Show and Tell. You’ll show us something cool-using 20 slides with 20 seconds of commentary each. It could be a tour of something fabulously innovative happening at your library, a guided walk-through of a digital project, or another form of performance or sharing that you dream up.

Plenary (Large Discussion/State of Profession) - A big format for REALLY BIG ideas. This is the forum where major statements are made and broad-ranging debate may occur. If you have something everyone needs to hear then this is the format for you!

Make/Hack/Play - You’ll collaboratively build something with participants, such as a topic-specific syllabus, tool, or game. You’ll develop the instructions for participation as well as a prototype or template to get folks started. Take your inspiration wherever it may lead you and create something that makes “Library Land” a better place!

Roundtable Discussion - Organized discussion around a specific topic or group of issues. Everyone is given equal right to participate.

Some Other Awesome Thing - Don’t let us limit your imagination! Tell us your great idea that’s in a category of its own!

WE WERE ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS ON A ROLLING BASIS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1, 2023.