On the East Coast, the fall leaves are in full color and the temperatures are dropping, but I am thinking about sunny California in June for Atla Annual 2024. We will gather in Long Beach, CA from June 19-22, 2024 for a hybrid event with multiple onsite and online options. But before that can happen, we need your help.
Join your fellow theological librarians and submit a proposal for Atla Annual. This is your chance to share your innovative ideas, new best practices, or fresh insightful reflections on major events or experiences with your colleagues at other institutions. What do you have to share with the members of Atla?
Whether you are a seasoned presenter with new wisdom to share or a first timer with fresh perspectives, we want to hear from you. For those who have not presented before, please know that you are part of a receptive and engaged community. In my experience, Atla Annual has been a wonderful opportunity to meet and connect with colleagues with similar interests, gain fresh perspectives and ideas to take back to my library, and find my voice within the field of theological librarianship. I am grateful to the welcoming and supportive Atla community for allowing me these opportunities, and I want to share them with you. An important first step in this process is submitting a conference proposal.
Think through what you have done over the last year or what you are currently working on. Did you try a new, innovative idea that you would like to explain in a listen and learn session or give a quick overview on in a lightning talk? Would you like to discuss your research paper? Would you consider exploring an important topic with colleagues by convening a panel or facilitating a discussion group? Do you have interest in leading us in morning worship or teaching new skills through a workshop? There are many ways you can share your ideas, research, and best practices at Atla Annual.
While the proposal submission deadline may seem a while away, I would encourage you to get a head start on your proposal now. Final exams and the busy holiday season will sneak up on us. The submission deadline of Sunday, January 7, 2024, will be here much quicker than we imagine. Check submitting your proposal off your to-do list early.
The Conference Committee is eager to hear your ideas. Please consider submitting a proposal and helping us create a conference that is a meaningful learning experience for all.
Submit Your Proposal
To submit your proposal(s), click on this link. You will be asked to log in to or create your account at the My Atla web portal. You do not have to be a member of Atla to submit a proposal, but you must create a free account on My Atla to submit. Once logged in, under “My Activities” select “Submit Proposal” on the left to begin the process.
Submissions are due on Sunday, January 7, 2024. Remember that leaders of interest groups and denominational groups should also use this form, submitting business meetings or presentation sessions on behalf of their group.
Conference Proposal Rubric Categories
A copy of the scoring rubric the Conference Committee uses to evaluate proposals is provided below. I hope this resource will help you understand what the Committee is looking for and will help you craft the best possible proposal.
- Contribution to Organizational Ends – Is the proposed session consistent with the organizational ends of Atla?
- Purpose and Session Type – Does the session description match the session type? Is there appropriate engagement for the session type?
- Currency, Timeliness, Appropriateness – Does the proposal address a recent and/or significant development or issue in theological librarianship?
- Quality of Proposal – Does the proposal represent accepted standards of professional communication (i.e., tone, grammar, spelling, etc.)?
- Audience Applicability – Does the proposal have a broad audience for librarians at institutions of different sizes and types?
- Attend – Would you attend or recommend attendance at this session?
Each category is scored on a scale of 1-4 (1=definitely not, 2=probably not, 3=probably, 4=definitely).
Conference Proposal Timeline
- November 2023 – Call for proposals
- January 7, 2024 – Deadline for submission of proposals
- Late January/Early February 2024 – Conference Committee meets to review and select proposals
- Mid- to Late February 2024 – Notification to proposal submitters
Other Resources
If you have any questions about this call for proposals or the annual conference, please contact me, the Chair of the Conference Committee, or Atla.
The Conference Committee looks forward to reading and considering your proposals!
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