Call for Papers — Open Sessions

Reference and Information Services

• 24 January 2020, 14:17

Theme: "Enabling Information Ethics in a Technologically Saturated World"

The References and Information Services Section (RISS) invites speaker proposals for papers to be presented in its open session during the IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Dublin, Ireland, that address the ethical dilemmas faced today by reference and information services librarians.

New technologies, many of them based in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Predictive Analytics, inspire information professionals with their power and ability to discern relevant information. They enable us to provide more and better services. We can discover a wealth of information in resources owned by libraries and in external sources.

However, the algorithms endemic to search platforms are opaque. This lack of transparency too often results in information that is biased, incomplete, and flawed.

The role of the librarian can take many forms. We need to shine a light upon algorithms that obscure information, challenge analytics that lead to biased conclusions, and educate library users about misinformation and disinformation. Our ethical responsibilities, as reference and information services librarians, to connect our users with unbiased, relevant, accurate, and timely information has never been as critical as it is today, given the new technologies saturating our world.

Important dates

2 March 2020 extended to 13 March 2020: Deadline for the submission of proposal to speak

6 April 2020: Notification of acceptance

1 June 2020: Deadline for the submission of full paper

Submissions

Proposals must be submitted by email and must contain the following:

• Email subject line: RISS Dublin Paper Proposal
• Title of proposed presentation
• Presenter(s) name, job title, affiliation, email address
• Presenter(s) bio (150 words maximum)
• An abstract in any of the IFLA working languages (no more than 300 words)

Please submit your proposal to:

Marydee Ojala, Secretary, RISS
Email: marydee@xmission.com

and to

Kimberley Bugg, Chair, RISS
Email: kimberleybugg@gmail.com

Proposals will be reviewed by members of the RISS Standing Committee.

Please note:

At least one of the paper’s authors must be present to deliver a summary of the paper during the program in Dublin. Abstracts should only be submitted with the understanding that the expenses of attending the conference will be the responsibility of the author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted papers.

The paper must be an original submission not presented or published elsewhere. All papers that are presented at the WLIC 2020 will be made available online via the IFLA Library under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.

Authors of accepted papers must complete the IFLA Authors’ Permission Form.

All expenses, including registration for the conference, travel, accommodation etc., are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. No financial support can be provided by IFLA, but a special invitation letter can be issued to author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted papers.

Congress Participation Grants

List of opportunities for support is available on the Apply for Grants & Awards webpage.