Breakout Session Proposals
The LOEX 2027 Conference Planning Committee invites you to submit breakout session proposals for consideration to the 55th Annual LOEX Conference. The conference will be held May 11-14, 2027.
Successful proposals will showcase effective and innovative library instruction & information literacy practices, provide valuable information that participants can utilize at their libraries, support collaboration, and be applicable to a broad variety of academic institutions.
Successful proposals will showcase effective and innovative library instruction & information literacy practices, provide valuable information that participants can utilize at their libraries, support collaboration, and be applicable to a broad variety of academic institutions.
Breakout Session Formats
For this online conference, there is only one type of full-length breakout session::
- Presentation: A 50-minute session that includes time for a 40-45 minute presentation and 5-10 minutes of question and answer. Most feature a successful program, practice or key issue related to instruction or information literacy. Presenter(s) should include in the proposal a description of the topic and an outline of the presentation. Based on past experience, sessions can have as few as 25 people or as many as 150.
For all breakout sessions, the exact number of participants won't be known until the session takes place; however, estimates of attendance based on the results of an interest survey will be provided to the presenters before the conference.
Proposal Tracks
- Proposals should reflect elements of one of the following seven tracks:
- Becoming the Best Barista: Mastering Skills & Techniques
A good barista not only keeps a fresh pot ready, but also knows how to make something new to serve each different kind of patron. How do you keep your energy up? What techniques do you use to ensure your craft is top shelf? How do you continue to learn new pedagogical methods? Share the tricks of the trade you use to create a tasty instruction mix.
- Creating a New Blend: Innovation, Technology and Scholarship
Coffee may be thousands of years old, but new ways to source, store, process, brew and serve it continue to be invented and researched. What technology have you utilized to be more efficient and/or more effective in your work? When do you decide it is time to cast aside “tried & true” ways of doing things and come up with something new? What studies have you conducted to help advance the field of information literacy? How have you designed lessons and curricula that incorporate the latest in AI responsibly and creatively? Have you engaged in the scholarship of teaching and learning to expand your knowledge and transform your professional practice?.
- Coffeehouse Culture: Collaboration & Outreach
To keep a coffeehouse running smoothly, a culture of teamwork and collaboration lets your group brew up something special together. Who do you collaborate with and what playlist do you consult to keep the team going smoothly? How do you promote your program and ensure it is inclusive and welcoming to all? What outreach do you undertake in order to expand your footprint, including going outside your boundaries.
- Running the Shop: Leading and Managing
A successful coffeehouse doesn’t run itself – there needs to be good leadership to make sure all employees are working towards the same goal in a hospitable environment. What new programs have you created to make sure your colleagues feel comfortable and supported? How do you empower employees to be the best version of themselves? When have you identified opportunities for student workers or staff to take on more expansive roles? What leadership or management theories have you studied or implemented to transform your library? Point us towards how you have led the way.
- Taste Test: Checking for Quality Ingredients & Satisfied Customers
You might use your favorite recipe and get rave reviews, but you need to make sure what you are serving is really hitting the spot. How do you gather ratings and reviews? What methods do you employ to implement quality control and ensure customer satisfaction? How do you evaluate personnel in a fair and open way to enable continuous improvement? Let us know how you tell if you are making something that suits everyone’s tastes!.
- The Third Space: Community & Care
Coffee shops are often known as “third spaces” between home and work where anyone can be. They often have a unique style and vibe tailored to their local community. How do you cultivate and create an environment that reflects the needs of your students? What does care look like in your information literacy classroom and session? How do you design your instruction space (whether physical, virtual, or hybrid) so it is functional, yet welcoming to all? In what way do you create a community that stays focused and supportive in spite of a stressful academic environment?
- The Secret Menu: Proposals That Don’t Fit Elsewhere on the List
Some proposals do not fit in a typical category or track, but can still be delicious. What are you working on and excited to share that doesn’t quite fit into any of the above topics? Share it on the “secret menu” track!
Submission Information
Proposals can be submitted only through the ***online submission form*** and must be received by Monday, December 1, 2025. The primary contact for the proposal will receive an automated email indicating receipt of the proposal when it is submitted and will be notified if the proposal has been accepted for presentation by Monday, January 18, 2027.
If your proposal is accepted, then up to three presenters will be automatically registered for the conference and required to pay registration in full by the due date in April. Presenters are encouraged, but not required, to submit a full paper version of their presentation (see due dates below) for inclusion in the LOEX Conference Proceedings.
All proposals must include the following:
If your proposal is accepted, then up to three presenters will be automatically registered for the conference and required to pay registration in full by the due date in April. Presenters are encouraged, but not required, to submit a full paper version of their presentation (see due dates below) for inclusion in the LOEX Conference Proceedings.
All proposals must include the following:
- Session title (limit 20 words)
- Short description of the session (limit 100 words)
- Long description of the session (limit 500 words)
- List of 1-3 learning outcomes for the attendees (visit Tips on Writing Effective LOs from the University of Arkansas for guidance)
- Type of audience(s) for which the session is intended
You do not need to be a LOEX member to submit a conference proposal. We accept the best proposals, regardless of institution or membership. LOEX membership only matters for general registration, which will begin in February 2027.
Note: Failure to pay the registration fee will result in the cancellation of presentation and conference registration. All presenters are responsible for paying their own travel and lodging expenses.
Note: Failure to pay the registration fee will result in the cancellation of presentation and conference registration. All presenters are responsible for paying their own travel and lodging expenses.
Proposal Timeline
- Monday, November 30, 2026: Deadline to submit proposals
- Monday, January 18, 2027: Notification of acceptance of proposal
- Tuesday, May 11 - Friday, May 14, 2027: 55th Annual LOEX Conference
- Friday, May 7, 2027: Deadline for Presentation presenters to submit a paper (up to 2500 words) for inclusion in the Conference Proceedings
Proposal Selection Criteria
Successful proposals will showcase effective and innovative library instruction & information literacy practices, provide valuable information that participants can utilize at their libraries, support collaboration, and be applicable to a broad variety of academic institutions and student communities .
The committee will be using a rubric to score the proposals. Along with the criteria listed under the session format descriptions, the rubric scores each proposal on:
The committee will be using a rubric to score the proposals. Along with the criteria listed under the session format descriptions, the rubric scores each proposal on:
- Content and objectives of session
- Relevance to the selected conference theme and track and to the field of library instruction
- Originality and creativity
- Demonstrated expertise and/or relevant experience of a presenter(s) on the topic
- Methods used to inform and also engage the audience
All committee members participate in the review process. Each proposal will undergo double-blind peer review by two committee members and be scored based on our rubric. Upon receiving the recommendations of the reviewers, the LOEX Director and conference co-chairs will conduct a final, overall review of these sessions to ensure variety in presenters, institution types, and topics.
Presenter Benefits
The solid reputation of the LOEX Conference ensures that presenters benefit as much as their audience. Presenters can expect to:
- Contribute to the field of library instruction and information literacy
- Receive professional recognition at the conference
- Highlight their institution's accomplishments
- Publish a full paper on the session topic in the LOEX Conference Proceedings (optional)
- Obtain valuable feedback from colleagues
- Receive up to three registration spots set aside, per session, for presenters at the LOEX Conference