The 2025 OLA Super Conference Program Proposal Site is now open! Proposals can be submitted from August 20, 2024 until September 30, 2024.

How-To Submit: Support

  • Want to watch a video on what to expect when you’re ready to submit? Check out our explainer video on YouTube. 
  • A .pdf version of the step-by-step process is also available here.

Planning Your Education Program Proposal 

Key Dates 

Proposal site opens: August 20, 2024 (Submit now!)
Proposal site closes: September 30, 2024
Proposal review begins: October 4, 2024 
Proposal review ends: October 10, 2024 
Preliminary Schedule Announced & Registration Opens: Week of November 11, 2024

Proposal Evaluation Criteria 

Super Conference Planners make their selections in accordance with the OLA Proposal Review Rubric. Carefully review the selection criteria and keep it available for reference when creating your proposal. Writing your proposal so that it clearly addresses all criteria on the rubric will make it easier for the SC planners to score. 

Proposals will be evaluated on each of the following: 

  • Proposal Title & Description 
  • Learning Objectives 
  • Timeliness 
  • Inclusion of Perspectives 
  • New Approaches & Driving Change

Program Proposal Guide 

Please review the more detailed OLA Program Proposal Submission Guide for explanations and definitions of the learning formats, evaluation criteria, and step-by-step instructions on submitting a proposal. 

Education Formats 

Attendees at the OLA Super Conference have identified a preference for sessions that allow for active and applied learning opportunities. We have programmed a number of conference learning formats to give you a range or options as a speaker. Please choose the type that best suits your content, your learning objectives and your personal style. 

Conversations (45 minutes) 

  • Peer-to-peer conversations on topic that are important and timely to the library community 
  • Led by 1-2 facilitators 

Shop Talk (15-20 minutes) 

  • Bite-sized presentation on timely topics and tools. 
  • These are practical talks with tangible learning objectives that will improve the audiences everyday work, and ability to achieve or improve upon a task. 
  • Shop Talks will be grouped based on subject matter and intended audience. 

Learning Lab (60-75 minutes) 

  • This is a standard conference session. Active instruction with the goal of the audience understanding a specific method, approach or opportunity. 
  • This is not a show and tell session – this is a chance to demonstrate how another library system can learn from something you have done, and apply it themselves. 

Poster Presentation (60 minute Q&A) 

  • Poster presentations demonstrate a tangible activity, project or concept. They do not need to follow formal research poster protocols, but should be engaging, informative and concise. 
  • Presenters are responsible for their own printed poster. Poster board dimensions 37’’ x 70’’. Presenters will also have the opportunity to upload a short audio track to the mobile app, giving context to their poster. 

Pre-Conference Workshop (2-4 hours) 

  • In-depth and interactive workshop 
  • Led in-person by content expert(s) 

NEW: Pre-Recorded Virtual Presentation for On-Demand Content Library (flexible) 

  • Recording will take place in Fall 2024
  • Session will be available on-demand on the conference platform for all attendees, including virtual attendees, to allow for some choice if the livestreamed sessions are not topics they are interested in.

FAQs 

Does OLA have a Code of Conduct for conference? 

  • Yes, please view the Code of Conduct policy that all presenters, attendees, exhibitors, and guests are required to follow. 

I require an accommodation in order to speak at OLA. How should I let OLA know?

  • There is a space in the Call for Proposals form to let us know about any accommodations you require. If your proposal has already been submitted and accepted when your need for accommodation arises, please get in touch with superconference@accessola.com or your OLA Super Conference Planner and they will be able to assist.

If my proposal is accepted, am I responsible for my own travel, accommodation, and registration fees? 

  • Yes, all presenters are responsible for their travel and accommodation fees and reservations. Speaker registration rates will be available to all those accepted in the final program, a savings of over 50%.