by Sara Ring
Quick Summary
We are seeking proposals for the fall 2025 Minitex Technical Services Symposium. Please consider submitting by the September 10th deadline.
The Minitex Technical Services Symposium will be held in person on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The theme is Navigating Uncharted Waters in Technical Services.
As a cataloging community we navigate some known, (but still many unknown) waters. Does the rising tide of RDA, BIBFRAME, AI, and other emerging standards and practices really lift all cataloging boats? Who has a boat? How do we know what stars to follow that will lead us to our destinations safely? What rocks might we crash into on our journey, and where are the safe harbors? How do we advocate for the supplies and provisions we need? What new and exciting islands might we discover?
Whether youā€™ve felt adrift in a sea of constant change, overwhelmed by the rising swell of more responsibilities, or just want to drop anchor and connect with colleagues, this day is for you. Come aboard!
Call for Proposals
Consider sharing your own experiences in Navigating Uncharted Waters in Technical Services by submitting a proposal. We welcome proposals from staff working across technical services: collection development, cataloging, processing, acquisitions, etc. Presentations may be about complete projects, works in progress, or emerging ideas.
Topics may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Advocating for and communicating the value of technical services work
- Responding to emerging technologies and standards (BIBFRAME, AI, RDAā€¦)
- Artificial intelligence and technical services
- Collaborative cataloging projects
- Critical cataloging
- Digital accessibility and complying with the new ADA Title II rule
- Or more!
Submit your proposal by September 10th. For questions, contact Sara Ring, Minitex.
Proposal Information
When you submit a proposal, you will be asked to indicate:
- Type of session (solo presenter, group/panel presentations, round table, or other)
- Connection to suggested topics (if applicable)
- Title and description
- Learning outcomes and audience engagement
- Presenter contact information and co-presenter details (if applicable)
Vendors may also submit proposals, but we ask that they be in partnership with a library to discuss projects and initiatives.
We strongly encourage presenters from all backgrounds, staff/student roles and organizations to submit proposals. The planning committee will review and rank submissions based on the clarity of the written proposal, alignment with the goals and theme of the conference, thoughtfulness of the learning objectives, and attention to audience engagement.
About the Symposium
The Minitex Technical Services Symposium is a conference for technical services practitioners and any interested staff. Conference attendees will learn from peers and leaders in the field, build and maintain connections with others, and enhance the technical services work done in libraries. A planning committee representative of all types of libraries selects the Symposium theme that explores a topic or issue of interest to the community. Past themes have included linked data; diversity, equity, and inclusion in technical services; activism and ethics in technical services; and sustainability. The conference takes place every odd year.
