PROGRAM FORMATS

Preconference Session  (180-240 minutes)

This extended session allows for a deep dive into a specific topic, blending presentations, interactive discussions, and hands-on activities. Designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the subject, this format includes expert-led segments, collaborative group work, and practical exercises. Attendees will have ample opportunities to engage with presenters and peers, ask questions, and gain actionable insights.

Breakout Session (Workshops, Panels, etc.)  (45 minutes)

General presentations may cover a specialized topic from different perspectives or a general topic in-depth. The presentation may be by an individual, group, or panel.

Poster Presentations

Poster presentations provide an excellent opportunity to connect with a diverse group of professional colleagues. They can focus on a variety of topics, including but not limited to, library projects and programs, research studies, emerging trends, and problem-solving analyses. Presenters are required to design visually engaging materials and should be prepared to engage in discussions about their work with conference attendees.

PROGRAM TRACKS

The 2025 REFORMA National Conference Program Committee has selected the following program tracks. The track descriptions should be read carefully before completing the proposal form, as you will be asked to select the track that best applies to your proposal (you may select up to two). Examples are provided to stimulate ideas and are not meant to exclude any potential program concepts.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS 

Before you submit your online proposal, prepare the following information:

• Program Format (Select one of the following)

  • Preconference (3-4hr)

  • Breakout session (45 minutes)

  • Poster Presentation

• Program Title (32 word maximum)

• Descriptive Abstract (80 word maximum)

  • Please provide a short descriptive abstract for your program in 80 words or less. This is the language that will appear in the conference catalogue.

• Program Synopsis (400 word maximum)

  • Please provide a detailed program synopsis in 400 words or less, including topics covered and the format of the presentation (such as a panel, lecture, round table, discussion, workshop, or other). Please describe how your presentation will be supported by research or data, demonstrate applications to the work of participants, address the intersectionality of librarians and the Latino/x/é and Spanish-speaking public, use approaches for different types of learners, and encourage opportunities for learner engagement. The abstract should make clear the relevance to the conference theme “Moving Forward Together: Empowering the Latino Community.”

• Three Learning Outcomes (300 word maximum)

• Author Information (Please provide the following information for each presenter. Each program proposal may have up to six presenters.)

  • Organizational affiliation 

  • Country

  • Position Title

  • Phone Number

  • (The name and email address that you provide for your Ex Ordo profile will be used for your submission.)

• Program Tracks (Select up to two of the following)

  • Collections & Resources Development

  • Diversity, Equity & Intersectionality

  • Leadership & Management in Libraries

  • Library & Information Studies Education

  • Community-Centered Programs & Services

  • Technology & Innovation

  • Community Engagement, Outreach, and Advocacy

  • Wellness

  • Introduction to REFORMA

• Target audience (Select all that apply)

  • Academic Librarians

  • Archivists

  • Children or Young Adult Librarians

  • General Audience

  • International Librarians

  • Library & Information Studies Students and Faculty

  • Public Librarians and Staff

  • School Librarians

  • Special Librarians

  • Other 

• Language (Please select the language in which your program will be presented.)

  • English

  • Spanish

  • Bilingual

  • Other

SAVE AND CONTINUE

While working on your proposals, you can navigate between pages without losing your work, and save to continue later. You can also view and edit your submission up until the deadline (February 28, 2025).

ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATIONS

Applicants will be notified by email of proposal status by May 9, 2025.

Applicants may be invited to use a format other than the one(s) proposed or might be invited to co-present with others who have proposed similar topics.

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

REFORMA Conference abstracts, papers, and presentations, will be compiled into Proceedings after RNC VIII. The Proceedings will be made available via the conference mobile app and possibly published. If your proposal is accepted, we invite you to share your presentation materials to be available for free to the general public and REFORMA members. You are not required to share your presentation materials, but you will be able to choose from sharing the abstract only, a full paper, or other materials like a poster or slide deck, etc.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• All selected program presenters must be registered for RNC VIII by Saturday, May 31, 2025 in order to present.    

• Presenters are responsible for paying the conference registration fee.

NON-COMMERCIAL POLICY

REFORMA programs are non-commercial educational learning experiences. Under no circumstances should a preconference session, breakout session or poster presentation be used for direct promotion of a speaker’s product, service, or other self-interest.

You will be asked to create an Ex-Ordo login, or to log in if you already have one.
Once you are logged in, click the yellow “Submit Your Abstract Now” button in the center of the page.

For additional information, contact:  rncprogramming@reforma.org

Envíe su ponencia en español aquí.