We are pleased to announce that next year’s AMICAL Conference will be held 12-15 June 2013 at John Cabot University in Rome.
THEMES AND TOPICS
As always, we will be trying to build a program supportive of collaborations at the level of library and information services and the curriculum. This year, however, we are hoping to give particular emphasis to faculty collaborations - working with faculty to envision and deliver library and information services, information and media literacy, and other learning-focused information work. Among the themes we are considering:
- Teaching in a learning intensive world - Technology is enabling the masses to engage like never before in both self-directed learning and creative work. How are the roles of faculty, technologists and librarians changing to adapt to learning environments that increasingly engage students in the design and structuring of their own learning experiences?
- Digital humanities - Leveraging technology in the humanities, and new modes of inquiry in the humanities enabled by technology; collaborations between librarians, technologists and faculty on creation of technology-enabled humanities resources
- Information and digital media literacy - With the foundations of digital media and scholarly communications shifting so rapidly, where and how should faculty, librarians, and technologists be working together on this shared objective for student learning?
- eBooks and the academy - Ebooks are finally starting to come of age for higher education. How are faculty, libraries and IT departments working with each other and other campus players to adapt their work to this new publishing, reading and learning environment?
EVENT FORMAT
Anticipating that faculty may be more likely to attend a shorter event, where sessions relevant to them are focused within a 2-day period, we are planning a “2+2” format for this conference:
- 2 days of practical workshops focusing on library and information services, including but not limited to:
- introductions or best/innovative practices in specific library service areas
- IT (administrative, academic, instructional technology, etc.) - lessons learned, solutions to shared problems
- ethnographic methods in studying users of library and information services
- 2 main conference days, with session formats encouraging reflection and discussion on topics relevant to faculty, library and IT:
- presentations
- lightning talks (pecha kucha)
- panels
- round table discussions
- unconference (informal, participant-organized presentations/discussions)
- technology showcases
- …and other session formats suggested by AMICAL members!
AMICAL Members: your input on the conference program - about the themes, topics and keynote speakers in particular - would be greatly appreciated. Share your thoughts in the discussion on AMICALconnect.