(via Dr. Nina Exner, Virginia Commonwealth University)
The 9th Empirical Librarians Conference, “EmpLibs”, call for proposals (CFP) is extended for one week to Tuesday, January 20! Looking for some cool facts about EmpLibs?
- EmpLibs is the conference that unites librarians who help researchers with librarians who are researchers, to share our insights.
- Presentations focus on practical “how to”. Share your advice about what works, what you learned, and how others can apply your methods or projects. Even if findings or assessment numbers were presented elsewhere, the EmpLibs conference appreciates closer looks on practical takeaways on your research methods from your study or program and project techniques with your researcher patrons.
- We welcome presenters and teams presenting online, onsite in Clemson, SC, or mixed onsite and online at this conference.
- Many proposals get feedback from the (anonymous) peer review process on how to better fit the EmpLibs audience.
Read on for more information.
Are you a library worker who does original research or one who supports researchers?
Join us for the 9th Empirical Librarians Conference on Wednesday, May 13, and Thursday, May 14, 2026, a hybrid gathering of in-person and online attendees focusing on the unique place of original research and researchers in the larger information ecosystem, staged at the Clemson University campus in Clemson, SC. We welcome presenters and teams presenting online, onsite in Clemson, or in a mixed format (onsite and online) at this conference!
We seek proposals for concurrent sessions, either as presentations, panels, or lightning talks, from librarians, library professionals, and LIS students on our two conference topic tracks:
- Track 1: Supporting original research and researchers through faculty and graduate outreach, scholarly communications, etc. We encourage presentations on the unique needs of researchers/patrons, and how this differs from other patrons.
- Track 2: Performing research in libraries. We seek discussions of practical methodology, including why research could be or was done a certain way and what lessons may help attendees do their own research.
Please submit proposal abstracts and information on this form. Proposals will be anonymized and peer reviewed. The review criteria for abstracts are:
- Is it about either supporting researchers or doing research?
- Abstracts must be about one of these two topics, or they will not be accepted.
- Is the abstract written clearly?
- Does the proposal include clear elements that support its potential to interest EmpLibs participants, appropriate to the length of the timeslot?
- Does the proposal describe useful insights or takeaways?
- Overall, does this seem like it would contribute to a good program?
Again, the deadline to submit proposals is now Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Presenters are expected to register as attendees. Registration will open in February 2026. Registration will cost $50.00 for either virtual or onsite attendees, but presenters without conference funding (including students) can waive the registration fee.
EmpLibs does not accept presentations that have been presented elsewhere. However, we encourage presenters who have presented or will present at other conferences to propose at EmpLibs a deep-dive into the techniques or methods, lessons learned, and practical insights into how to create researcher-focused programs or conduct research.
We look forward to seeing you at the ninth Empirical Librarians conference!