SELA/MLA Joint Conference Call for Proposals

15 Apr 2022

For 2022 we’re back in person and better than ever! This year’s MLA/SELA joint conference will be held at the MSU Riley Center in Meridian, MS, from October 11^th – October 14^th, 2022. We are so excited to be back together again and to welcome SELA members to Mississippi!

The theme for this year’s conference is “Libraries Uncensored”. One of the basic principles of the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights states that “libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment” (ALA Council, 1939). While censorship challenges of library materials, resources, and services have been happening for many years we are seeing a resurgence of challenges as of late. ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) recorded a total of 729 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2021, which resulted in more than 1,597 individual book challenges or removals. This is the highest number of attempted book bans in 20 years. Now, more than ever, libraries play a critical role in making knowledge and ideas available to everyone so that people are free to choose what to read. “Libraries Uncensored” doesn’t just refer to book challenges/bans, rather, it encompasses all the ways that libraries uphold intellectual freedom.

We are seeking program proposals that will speak to all aspects of library work in public, academic, school, and special libraries. While topics related to this year’s theme will be prioritized, we welcome ALL topics! Ideas include, but are not limited to, proposals relating to programming and services, collection development, technology, library leadership, cataloging/technical services, customer service, reference, and MORE. Each afternoon we will have a “Library Happy Hour” where fun sessions encouraging networking and togetherness will be highlighted.

Proposals for all conference events, including program presentations, section/roundtable/committee meetings, awards, etc. should be submitted using the proposal link: https://forms.gle/MMwG41iCoL1furAo9. The deadline for proposals is 5:00 pm CST on July 15, 2022.  

Please contact Sarah Mangrum (Sarah.Rials@usm.edu) or Phillip Carter (pcarter@starkville.lib.ms.us) with any questions or comments.