Call for Proposals - Lake Superior Library Symposium

The organizers of the Lake Superior Libraries Symposium (LSLS) invite breakout session proposals for our 13th annual conference to be held on June 6, 2025, at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet, Minnesota.

This year’s theme, “Embrace, Engage, Excel: Libraries in Their Communities,” challenges attendees to consider the relationship between their libraries and the communities they serve.  How do we ensure that libraries are welcoming to all? What can we do to engage with the library-anxious? How can we continue to serve library users while maintaining a commitment to our professional values?

Possible presentation topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Data-driven decision-making
• Storytelling
• Outreach
• Programming
• Strategic planning
• Partnerships
• Staff development
• Collection development
• Facilities planning 
• Stewardship

Successful breakout session presentations will be applicable to many types of libraries and showcase effective and innovative practices. 60-minute breakout sessions should include 10-15 minutes of question and answer. Panel presentations, particularly those representing a diversity of library types, sizes, and/or locations, are strongly encouraged. ** New this year: all presenters will receive FREE conference registration, which includes breakfast and lunch. **

Breakout session presenters should submit proposals at https://forms.gle/pmwD3RN6E4XSwcdH7. The CFP submission deadline is Friday, March 21st. Presenters will be notified of acceptance in mid April.  

LSLS allows library staff to share their expertise, learn from their colleagues, and network to develop a stronger community of information professionals. We welcome proposals from all types of libraries. The event is organized and supported by library staff and educators from Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin; for a full list of our supporters, see http://lakesuperiorlibrariessymposium.com/about/supporters/.

For questions about proposals and submissions, please contact Julie Rustad at jrustad@css.edu. A complete listing of speakers, agenda, and costs will be released in late April.

More information about the LSLS can be found here.