September 23, 2025 – The Canadian Association of Research Libraries’ (CARL) Communications Community of Practice (CoP) is excited to announce its first-ever half-day virtual symposium, planned for February 11, 2026. We are currently accepting expressions of interest for presentations exploring communications and marketing within academic library environments in Canada.
We welcome proposals of all lengths and formats in English and French—quick lightning talks (5-7 minutes) to more in-depth presentations (up to 30 minutes)—from all library communications professionals, prioritizing our current CoP members. Presenters of all experience levels are welcome and can be based outside of Canada provided their topic is relevant to the Canadian context.
Possible topics relate to the theme: “Communicating the Future: Libraries in a Changing Higher Ed Landscape” and include, but are not limited to:
- Library Communications
- Creating and evaluating your library communications plan
- PR / Media Relations
- Collaborating with faculty/unit communications teams
- Successes and failures
- Crisis & reputational communications
- Workflow and project management
- Team buy-in / internal & campus support
- Research informed communication practices
- Assessment of Impact
- Community engagement and outreach techniques, such as:
- Fundraising, advocacy, and donor relations
- Partnerships / collaboration
- User experience
- Outreach and engagement programs and services
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)
- Marketing and communications tools and strategies, with
- Videography / animation / editing
- Content Management Systems
- YouTube
- Social media
- Graphic design
- Website design
- Artificial Intelligence
- Other related technology / software
Theme Description
Research libraries are navigating a rapidly evolving higher education and political landscape, with shifting priorities, new technologies, and changing user needs. This symposium invites us to explore how innovative communication strategies, creative outreach approaches, and emerging tools are helping libraries to engage with their communities in meaningful ways — ensuring they remain visible, relevant, and impactful today and into the future.
If your work doesn’t quite fit in one of these areas, but you believe it contributes to the conversation, submit anyway!
Submission Requirements
- Presentation Title
- Presenter Name, job title(s), and institution(s)
- Preferred format/length (lightning talk [5-7 minutes]; short talk [10 – 15 mins], full session [20-30 mins])
- Abstract (150-300-words) describing your topic and key points
- Short biography of presenter(s)
- Audience Level (beginner, intermediate, advanced – if applicable)
- Any technical or accessibility needs
Timeline
- Submission deadline: October 31, 2025
- Applicants will be notified of acceptance within 6 weeks of submission or by November 14, 2025.
- The symposium will take place on February 11, 2026
Format
The symposium will be held virtually via Zoom, allowing for participation from across regions and institutions.
Additional Information
There are no registration fees to present or attend. Registration will open in January 2026.
Submit your Proposal
About the Communications Community of Practice
Established in 2022, the Communications Community of Practice (CoP), also known as the CommUNITY, brings together library workers and other colleagues from Canadian academic institutions working or interested in communications. The goals of the CoP are to connect, provide information sharing, and grow expertise and capacity across Canada.
