MLA '06: How to Submit a Contributed Paper or Poster Abstract

An Invitation to Present Best Practices
The 2006 National Program Committee (NPC) invites you to submit abstracts for contributed papers or electronic or print poster presentations.

The diversity of thought-provoking programs coordinated by MLA sections and special interest groups (SIGs) offers exciting opportunities for you to celebrate the realm of medical librarianship and bask in our bright future.

The range of opportunities for self-expression through a poster or electronic demonstration is unlimited. Consider local practices, valid research results, current trends, use or development of innovative technologies, and future projects that highlight what is best about health sciences libraries and information centers and the role librarians and information professionals play in making health information accessible to all.

Structured Abstracts Requirement

A structured abstract is required for all paper and poster submissions. Structured abstracts can actually help turn an idea into a finished project. Common abstract forms and other various formats are flexible enough to accommodate just about any type of project. The following resources will help guide you in writing your abstract, from conception of an idea to the reporting stages of your project:

• Structured abstract requirements (developed by the MLA Research Section)
• Two common forms of abstracts (developed by the MLA Research Section)
• Examples of various forms (developed by the MLA Research Section)
• Inventory of research methods for librarianship and informatics (January 2004 JMLA)
• Please consult the MLA Style Manual for editorial guidelines when submitting abstracts.

Selection Criteria

Abstracts for both papers and posters are peer reviewed and selected based on the following criteria:

• originality and innovation
• organization and clarity of presentation
• relevance to the field and the MLA '06 themes
• relevance to the section or SIG program title (for contributed papers)
• potential for improving service or practice (for posters)

Contributed Papers

• Paper contributions should relate to one of the proposed section titles.
• Please select the first session for which you are contributing your paper. If you feel it's appropriate, you may also submit a second program title for which you would like your paper considered. However, you may not submit the same idea as both a paper and poster session.
• A presenting author needs to be identified upon submission and register and pay for at least the day of presentation during the annual meeting.
• The audiovisual equipment supplied by MLA will be identified on the submission site, but Internet access and computer needs will be at the author's expense.
• Presentations will be limited to fifteen minutes, plus five minutes for questions and answers, and changing speakers. Session moderators will confirm presentation lengths in March 2006.
• Audio and presentation files will be recorded on CD-ROM. The CD-ROM will be for sale during and after the meeting. Handouts from presentations may be posted on MLANET following the annual meeting. Please keep in mind that nonattendees might access your presentation; therefore, it is important that your slides and handouts have enough content on them to be meaningful on their own.
• For more detailed information on how to submit contributed paper abstracts, visit the contributed paper FAQ.
• Inquiries about section programs, abstracts, or contributed paper topics should be sent to Charles Greenberg, 2006 NPC Section Council liaison. Between September 16 and October 6, please direct questions to 2006 NPC member Kristine M. Alpi, AHIP.

Posters

• Poster contributions should present results of investigations or initiatives with practical applications that improve procedures or services.
• You can not submit the same idea as both a poster and a paper session.
• Posters will be available for viewing during all of MLA '06.
• Posters and related handouts will be posted to MLANET after the meeting.
• All poster presenters will be provided an eight-foot by four-foot poster board, one six-foot skirted table, and one chair.
• MLA will also supply electricity for laptops or projection equipment brought by presenters of electronic posters.
• Presenters may bring or rent a projector to enlarge the image of their electronic posters. The image can be framed in the information presented on the poster board.
• Although it is recommend that a downloaded version of an Internet-based presentation be used, rather than a live, Web-linked version, ordering information for Internet access and projection equipment will be sent to presenting authors. Internet access and computer needs will be at the expense of the author.
• A presenting author will need to be identified upon submission and register and pay for at least the day of presentation.
• Posters selected for inclusion in the program will be assigned to one of the two poster sessions—either Sunday or Tuesday afternoon.
• All posters should be installed prior to the Sunday, May 21, afternoon viewing and be displayed until Tuesday, May 23, 2006.
• Presenteres are required to staff their displays during the assigned times.
• Presenters are encouraged to submit their presentations to MLA for posting on MLANET following the annual meeting. Please keep in mind that nonattendees might access these presentations; therefore, it is important that your slides have enough content on them to be meaningful on their own.
• For more detailed information on posters, visit the poster FAQ.
• Questions about electronic or print posters should be sent to 2006 NPC member Beth Layton, AHIP.

Submission Process for Papers and Posters

• Abstracts for papers and posters must be submitted using a structured abstract template. For information on how to write a structured abstract or to consult various samples, please visit the MLA Research Section home page.
• The submission deadline of November 7, 2005, MIDNIGHT, CST, using the online submission process. There will be no extension of this submission deadline.
• In the event you cannot make submissions online, contact Brenda Dreier before October 24, 2005, to receive a paper submission for by email attachment or fax.
• The original submission must include the "objective" and "methods" sections of the structured abstract and not exceed 350 words.
• The objective, for which you can substitute the research question, cannot exceed 60 words and the methods, which can include brief descriptions of the population and expected results, cannot exceed 140 words.
• Presenters selected for the program will be asked to add results and conclusions sections during February 2006. Results and conclusions should not be included during the submission process.
• Structured abstracts should not contain tables, figures, or bibliographic references.
• Abstracts may be prepared and uploaded using Microsoft Word.
• Accepted abstracts will be published in the MLA '06 Abstracts: Supplement to the Official Program and on the MLA '06 Itinerary Builder Website. MLA reserves the right to edit the abstract per MLA style guidelines.
• Submitting authors can make abstract changes up to, but not after, November 7, 2005, MIDNIGHT, CST. At that time, the submission site will officially close and the review process will begin.
• To allow for blind review, author names, institutional affiliations, and address information should be listed in the author section of the electronic submission system only, not in the body of the abstract. MLA reserves the right to edit abstracts containing any author, institutional, or company names for the purpose of eliminating this identifying information before sending the abstract to reviewers. Authors are urged to blind their abstracts themselves, because MLA cannot guarantee the resulting quality if changes must be made after submission.
• Results and conclusions inadvertently entered for review will also be deleted prior to review.
• The primary author will be notified of acceptance by US mail sent the week of January 16, 2006. All authors will be notified by email that the primary author has been sent the notification letter.
• Questions about the submission process should be directed to Brenda Dreier, MLA meeting director.

Important Dates

Contact Information

• Questions about the abstract submission process should be directed to Brenda Dreier, MLA meeting director.
• Questions and comments about contributed paper topics and section program themes should be sent to Charles Greenberg, 2006 NPC Section Council liaison.
• Questions about electronic or print posters should be sent to 2006 NPC member Beth Layton, AHIP.

MLA '06 Contributed Paper Program Themes