Are You a New(ish) Librarian? Submit a Poster or Lightning Talk Proposal for MLA ’25
The 2025 National Program Committee invites colleagues who are newer to the profession to submit poster and lightning talk proposals for presentation at MLA ’25: Bridging Tradition and Innovation in Pittsburgh.
Hearing new and diverse voices will enhance the conference experience and benefit our profession. Presenting at MLA ‘25 is a good career step because you gain experience, demonstrate professional growth, and enhance connections to your colleagues.
Submission Guidance and Support
Everyone who’s ever presented at an MLA meeting has had a “first” time submitting a proposal. We’re here to support you if you need it. MLA supports librarians who are submitting for the first time in several ways.
- About and How to Submit MLA ’25 Proposals
- MLA ’25 Submission Tips
- Have more questions? Contact the MLA Contributed Content Working Group
The deadline to submit a poster or lightning talk proposal is January 30, 2025.
More Information:
- Lightning talk presentations are limited to five minutes. Presenters will participate in sessions and can answer questions during and after the session.
- Posters are highly visual presentations. Accepted poster presenters will have the opportunity to participate in a poster session at the in-person conference where they can answer questions.
- Both lighting talk and poster presenters will be asked to record their presentation for on-demand viewing.
- Like Papers, Posters and Lightning Talks can be submitted as a program or as research proposal. Submissions require a structured abstract. More information about structured abstracts can be found at The Structured Abstract: An Essential Tool for Researchers.
- If you have submitted a Paper proposal that was not accepted, consider updating the abstract and submitting the topic for consideration as a Poster or Lightning Talk.
MLA ‘25 will offer a limited number of sessions virtually with the majority to be held at the in-person conference in Pittsburgh. You will be asked to provide your preference for presentation (Live Virtual Session or In-Person Session) at the time of submission. If selected, you will be able to provide your final preferences in February 2025.
Presenter Discount
MLA member presenters who will be attending MLA ’25 may be eligible for a $75 in-person registration discount. Discounts are available as follows:
- Up to 2 presenters per Paper, Lightning Talk, or Poster upon acceptance.
- Presenter discounts are not available in combination with existing registration discounts such as institutional bulk registration or student registration, or for one-day in-person registrations.
Don’t Forget to Submit by the Deadline!
The Call for Proposals: Round 2 contributed poster and lightning talk proposals are due by January 30, 2025, at 10:59 p.m., central time / 11:59 p.m., eastern time / 8:59 p.m., pacific time.