North American Virtual Reference Online Conference


by Carla Pfahl

Quick Summary

The North American Virtual Reference Online Conference (NAVROC) is accepting proposals for our free conference Tuesday-Thursday, Feb 21-23, 2023. We are seeking proposals for 45-minute sessions and 20-minute lightning talks from virtual reference providers relating to our theme, Emergence: Intersecting Resilience and Sustainability.

North American Virtual Reference Online Conference

The North American Virtual Reference Online Conference (NAVROC) is accepting proposals for our free conference Tuesday-Thursday, Feb 21-23, 2023. We are seeking proposals for 45-minute sessions and 20-minute lightning talks from virtual reference providers relating to our theme, Emergence: Intersecting Resilience and Sustainability. These sessions will comprise the 2-3 hour period of each conference day. Because this is a virtual conference, presenters can present from anywhere as long as they have a stable internet connection. 

Conference theme: Emergence: Intersecting Resilience and Sustainability. Participants will experience sessions from presenters across the continent discussing how they are using virtual reference services in a (post) pandemic world to increase sustainability, grow resilience, and to ultimately emerge, transform and renew.

To submit a proposal, please fill out the proposal submission form by November 30, 2022.  Potential topics include but are not limited to:

Adaptability
  • Innovations, new technologies, emerging platforms
  • New partnerships - how were they formed, and how do they expand your service to your community
  • Creative uses of video conferencing/screen sharing via chat
Challenges
  • Privacy issues
  • Creative solutions to staffing challenges
  • Training
  • Ergonomics at home
  • Sustainability and digitization process
Equity and Engagement
  • Centering race in VR
  • Mitigating microaggressions in chat
  • Utilizing culturally-appropriate resources
  • Engaging BIPOC staff and patrons
  • Multi-lingual VR services
  • How are you bridging the digital divide in your community?
  • Marketing strategies for underserved patrons
  • Improving accessibility
  • Mitigating the digital divide:  Universal Broadband? Loaning Hotspots?

Evaluation & Appraisal

  • Service Evaluation
  • Using ratings from users

Marketing and Promotion

  • Integrating social media 
  • Best practices for online finding aids
  • Marketing your service
  • Telling your story with data
  • Partnerships with schools, social agencies, tutoring, etc.

Reference

  • Changing definition of reference
  • Adapting virtual services to be accessible and equitable
  • Working with vendors to conform to new needs
  • Incorporating Open Access resources into virtual reference services
     


Propose a Roundtable (Discussion forum) or Lightning Talk (20-minute presentation) on VR services in different kinds of libraries.

Registration information will be forthcoming. 

Tags:

Professional Development North American Virtual Reference Online Conference 2021

Written by

Carla Pfahl
Carla Pfahl
Outreach & Instruction Librarian, AskMN Coordinator