WAML 2019 Call for Proposals!

In celebration of the interdisciplinary character of mapping, this year’s annual meeting of the Western Association of Map Libraries (WAML) will highlight the growing fields of Spatial Humanities and STEAM* education (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics). These are two areas where geospatial libraries are already having influence and can make rich contributions to scholarship and practice, with both physical and digital spaces, collections, and services. We invite proposals for presentations and lightning talks related to these themes in the many areas in which they intersect with geospatial libraries, including but not limited to:

• Instruction support

• Cataloging and metadata creation

• Collections

• Research collaborations

• Reference

In addition to presentations, this year we are also excited to try out a new format: birds-of-a-feather (BoF) discussion sessions! These sessions are informal meetings where attendees will group together based on a shared interest to carry out a discussion. Some sample BoF groups include GIS services, map cataloging, etc. What types of BoF discussion topics would you like to see?

To submit a proposal, please complete this short form with your name, presentation title, abstract (no more than 150 words), and presentation type (full 20 minute presentation, 5 minute lightning talk, or BoF discussion). Note that proposing a BoF discussion topic does not commit you to facilitating it. Proposals are due July 31. We will announce the conference program in mid-August.

Please contact Susan Powell at [log in to unmask] with any questions. WAML 2019 will take place in Reno, NV from September 18-21.

*STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. - EducationCloset (https://educationcloset.com/steam/what-is-steam/)