91´«Ã½

CHICAGO - The Steering Committee of the 2012 Joint Conference of Librarians of Color (JCLC) has announced an open call for program proposals for the conference scheduled for Sept. 19-23, 2012 in Kansas City, Mo.

The Joint Conference of Librarians of Color: Gathering at the Waters: Celebrating Stories and Embracing Communities, is a conference for everyone and brings together a diverse group of librarians, library staff, library supporters and community participants to explore issues of diversity in libraries and how they affect the ethnic communities libraries serve. JCLC deepens connections across constituencies, creates spaces for dialogue on issues of diversity and encourages the transformation of libraries into more democratic and diverse organizations.

JCLC 2012 will include session presentations in all areas of diversity, including, but not limited to Advocacy, Outreach and Collaboration; Collections, Programs and Services; Deep Diversity and Cultural Exchange (Understanding and Valuing Differences); Leadership, Management and Organizational Development; Technology; and Innovation. Ideal programs will provide insights, skills, tools and strategies that stress solutions, implementation and practical applications; highlight exemplary programs, approaches and models; facilitate constructive dialogue, interaction and understanding around significant issues affecting conference constituencies; or discuss efforts to create more inclusive environments, programs and curriculum. All sessions are 75 minutes long and may take the format of panel presentation, individual paper, roundtable or workshop. A more complete description of program tracks is available at the Conference website, .

Proposals may be submitted through the Joint Conference of Librarians of Color website at and must be received by midnight (PDT) on Sept. 15, 2011. All proposals will be blind reviewed (without author identification) by the JCLC Program Committee. Proposals are evaluated on quality and clarity of content, uniqueness of topic, relevance to conference attendees, ability to engage the audience and the relationship of the proposal to the mission of the conference. Notification of proposal selection will be made on a rolling basis beginning on Nov. 1, 2011 and ending on Dec. 15, 2011.

The Joint Conference of Librarians of Color is sponsored by the five ethnic caucuses: the American Indian Library Association (AILA), Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (AP91´«Ã½), Black Caucus of the 91´«Ã½ (BC91´«Ã½), Chinese American Librarians Association (C91´«Ã½) and the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking (REFORMA). The first Joint Conference was held in Dallas, Texas in 2006. More information may be found at .

The JCLC Steering Committee would like to thank the members of the 2012 JCLC Program Planning Committee, Alanna Aiko Moore (Chair), Toni Anaya, Jeehyun Davis, Gerardo Colmenar, Min Chou, Portia Latalladi, Sarah Kostelecky, Susan Luevano, Sara Martinez, Mark Puente and Sandy Wee.