ARLIS/NA 29th Annual Conference Thursday March 29 to Wednesday April 4, 2001

ARLIS/NA 2001 CONFERENCE PROGRAM PROPOSALS
Poster Session Guidelines

For the first time at an ARLIS/NA conference, individuals will have an opportunity to present a poster session. Many other library conferences, including ALA, ACRL, and the Medical Library Association, hold poster sessions, and additional information may be found on their web sites:

http://www.lib.siu.edu/ala
http://www.mlanet.org/am/am1999/posters/index.html

Poster sessions are informal unsponsored presentations by an individual for numerous small groups. They are an effective forum for the exchange of information and a means to communicate ideas, research, and programs. Any ARLIS/NA member may submit a poster session proposal.

Presenters place materials such as photos, diagrams, charts, data, and narrative text on a large poster board. You have the opportunity to discuss your project as conference attendees come through the area. This can be especially useful for research in progress, or if you are looking for additional ideas.

Format

Poster sessions will be held in or adjacent to the exhibits area. Up to 5 presentations take place concurrently. Tables and easels or backboards will be provided. Bring pins or thumbtacks or mounting tape to mount the poster. Supplies will not be provided. If you plan to do a web presentation, you are responsible for providing your own equipment, including a power source. Electrical outlets will not be available.

Each presentation lasts 30 minutes. During this time the presenter must remain with the display to answer questions and informally discuss the contents.
Presenters are expected to bring handouts (at least 50 copies are recommended). You may wish to have a sign-up sheet to record the names and addresses of attendees who would like further information, additional copies, etc.

Content

Poster sessions are an excellent way to present practical projects, innovative programs, creative strategies, or preliminary research results.

The display should include a statement of the problem, objectives of the project or research, the methodology used to solve the problem or implement the program, the major findings or outcomes and their significance, and conclusions. There should be a logical sequence: Introduction, development, conclusion.

Design Elements

The title heading should be at least 1-1/2" high. It should include the title of the poster session and all authors' names and institutional affiliations. An abstract should appear on the top left-hand corner of the board.

Visual elements are encouraged. Simplicity and legibility are important for the viewer. Color combinations should be carefully considered for readability. Lettering should be simple, bold, and easily legible from a distance of 3 feet. Directional arrows can help the viewer in following the sequence.

Procedures

Mounting the display must be accomplished during the 30 minutes preceding a scheduled presentation, and taken down within the 15 minutes following the session.

Budget

Poster sessions are not eligible for conference funding.

Publications

Poster sessions are listed in the Conference Program. Abstracts will be mounted on the Conference web site.

Topic Ideas

• Art in the Library
  
• Developing a library orientation video
  
• How usable is your web site?
  
• One man's junk, another man's treasure: Gifts & Exchanges
  
• Serving the underserved
  
• Where to locate price information for collectibles
  
• "We're remodeling the library!" Keeping your users informed
  
• Developing a database of local architects
  
  

Program Co-Chairs:

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last revised 3.14.00