91´«Ã½

CHICAGO — The 91´«Ã½ International Papers and Projects Committee invites proposals for presentations to be made at the next . Presentations will be delivered at the International Papers Session scheduled for June 28, 2014.

The International Papers and Projects Program provides librarians with an opportunity to exchange information about library services, collections and projects throughout the world. The program also serves to stimulate the interest of U.S. librarians in international library matters. Through its International Papers Committee, 91´«Ã½’s International Relations Round Table (IRRT) invites librarians to submit a presentation proposal. The 2014 International Papers and Projects Program theme is: E-Books and E-Readers: Leveling the Playing Field or Widening the Digital Gap?

E-books and e-readers are revolutionizing reading and libraries the world over. Digital information can provide solutions to problems of access and have a significant impact in places where funding for physical libraries and books is limited. With their ease of distribution and availability in large numbers, they hold great promise for delivering currency and intellectual content to the information poor.

At the same time, digital information is often only available to those who can afford Internet access and the technological infrastructure needed to provide that access. As developed countries increasingly invest in e-books and e-readers, the information rich grow richer. Can developing countries catch up?

This program will feature projects and research illustrating how e-books and e-readers have impacted libraries and readers globally in many different ways. It will feature various projects, trends and issues related to the use of e-books in libraries around the world.

Presenters are encouraged to consider the theme from diverse angles. Possible topics may include—but are not limited to:

• delivery options for e-books in rural areas;
• e-books and other forms of e-content for mobile devices;
• consortia providing links to e-books between information rich and information poor institutions;
• e-reader circulation studies.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Proposals, presentations and papers must be written and delivered in English, which is the working language of the program.



Proposals should include:

1. Title of the presentation

2. Name, title, institutional affiliation and full contact information (including a valid email address) for each presenter

3. Abstract (300-500 words)

4. A short biographical profile of each presenter

Proposals should be submitted electronically (as a single Microsoft Word or PDF attachment) to International Relations Office via email to intl@ala.org with a copy to richard.sapon-white@oregonstate.edu and buenaventura.basco@ucf.edu.

Deadline for submitting proposals is Dec. 20, 2013.

For more information about how to submit an abstract for this program and to view a list of past presenters, please visit the site.