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MLA '09: Call for Papers and Posters
Abstract submission is now closed. Thanks to all for submitting!
Download the Call for Participation (PDF, 460KB)
The 2009 National Program Committee (NPC) invites submission of abstracts for contributed papers or electronic and print poster presentations at MLA ’09, May 15–20, 2009, at the Hawaiian Convention Center in Honolulu, HI.
Contributed papers can explore the newest ideas, best practices, and fusion-related themes. Consider what is best in 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 available to all. Handouts and electronic presentations from the paper presentations will be posted to MLANET. Plan to submit your abstract, using the structured abstract guidelines at www.research.mlanet.org, by Monday, October 6, 2008.
The 2009 NPC also invites proposals for best ideas expressed as a poster or electronic demonstration. The range of opportunities for self-expression is unlimited. Consider the use or development of innovative technologies, local best practices, valid research results, current trends, and future projects that highlight the power of partnerships, the best about health sciences libraries and information centers, and the roles that librarians and information professionals play in making health information accessible to all. Posters will be available for viewing during MLA ’09. Posters and related handouts will be posted to MLANET prior to the meeting. Plan to submit your abstract, using the structured abstract guidelines at www.research.mlanet.org, by Monday, October 6, 2008. Posters should not repeat information submitted for papers.
Guidelines for Submission
As a guide in the submission process, review the article, “The Structured Abstract: An Essential Tool for Researchers”. Originally appearing in Hypothesis: The Journal of the Research Section of MLA, the article shows how a structured abstract can help turn an idea into a finished project. Also, review the Research Section’s structured abstract guidelines, noting examples of common forms and formats. Authors may postpone entering results and conclusions until after the peer-review process is completed. If the abstract is selected, authors will have an opportunity to add results.
For information on how to classify research, see “Inventory of Research Methods for Librarianship and Informatics,” published in the January 2004 issue of the Journal of the Medical Library Association and available at PubMed Central. Please also consult the MLA Style Manual for guidance on style, spelling, and grammar.
Contributed Papers
Submit your abstract by October 6 , 2008. Paper contributions should relate to one of the proposed section or NPC-sponsored programs . Please select the first session for which you are contributing a paper. You may also submit a second program for which you would like your paper to be considered. However, you may not submit the same idea for both a paper and a poster session.
A presenting author needs to be identified upon submission and must register and pay for at least the day of presentation during MLA ’09. Audiovisual equipment supplied by MLA will be identified on the submission site, but Internet access and computer needs will be at the authors’ expense.
Presentations will be approximately fifteen minutes plus five minutes for questions and answers and changing speakers. Session moderators will confirm presentation lengths in March 2009. Presentations will be audio-recorded for sale by MLA. A few weeks before the meeting, presenters will be asked to email electronic slides and handouts to be incorporated in the recording.
For more information about contributed papers, see the frequently asked questions on the MLA ’09 website. Inquiries about section programs, abstracts, or contributed paper topics should be sent to Janice Cox, AHIP, 2009 NPC Section Council liaison.
Posters
Submit your abstract by October 6, 2008. Posters should not repeat information submitted for papers. Awards will be given for best research posters.
Contributed posters should present research results, innovative library programs, or notable projects. Presenters may not submit the same idea for both a poster and contributed paper session. Poster submitters will be asked to categorize their posters based on predetermined themes that are described on the MLANET submission site.
Poster boards will be eight-foot-by-four-foot in size. Note: no tables will be provided unless requested in advance or if the presenter has indicated that the poster is electronic. Electronic posters will occupy the same exhibition space as paper posters, and presenters should take advantage of the poster boards to draw attention to their presentations—perhaps by using signage. Internet access and equipment can be ordered for a fee, although a “canned” presentation is recommended. Electricity will be not be supplied. Poster sessions are one hour in length, so presenters should check to make sure their laptop batteries are fully charged.
Additionally, accepted poster presenters will be required to submit electronic versions (PDF, PowerPoint, etc.) of their posters prior to the meeting to give attendees a chance to digest material ahead of time. Posters and related handouts submitted by presenters will remain on MLANET after the meeting as well.
The lead or presenting author must be identified at the time of submission and are expected to pay for that day’s registration. Presenters will be required to staff their poster displays during their assigned times.
For more information about posters, see the frequently asked questions on the MLA ’09 website or contact 2009 NPC members Julia Kochi or Lisa Oberg.
Submission Process
MLA offers an easy-to-use, online abstract submission process with blinding and formatting options. Abstracts for papers and posters must be submitted using the structured abstract template available on MLANET. The final submission deadline is Monday, October 6, 2008, at midnight, central time. There will be no extensions of this deadline. If you cannot submit online, contact Brenda Dreier before September 26, 2008, to receive a paper submission form by email attachment or fax.
The original submission must include, at a minimum, the objective and methods sections of the structured abstract. The total abstract is not to exceed 350 words. The objective section, for which a research question may be submitted, cannot exceed 60 words, and the methods section, which may include brief descriptions of the population and expected results, cannot exceed 140 words. Authors have the option to input the results and conclusions sections, not to exceed 150 words, with their original submission or they can add them after acceptance and no later than February 16, 2009. In either case, the results and conclusions sections will be blinded during the review to make the process more objective. Abstracts should not contain tables, figures, or bibliographic references. Abstracts may be prepared and uploaded using Microsoft Word with Times New Roman, 10-point font, and Symbol font for symbols.
Accepted abstracts will be published in the MLA ’09 Abstracts: Supplement to the Official Program (online only) and on the MLA ’09 Program Planner.
Submitting authors can make abstract changes up to, but not after, Monday, October 6, 2008, at midnight, central time. At that time, the submission site will close and the review process will begin.
Important: To allow for blind review, author names, institutional affiliations, and address information should only be listed in the author section of the electronic submission system, 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. As noted previously, the results and conclusions field, if entered, will not be visible to the reviewers.
The primary author will be notified of acceptance by email sent the week of December 15, 2008.
Questions about the submission process should be directed to Brenda Dreier, MLA meeting manager.
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