Submit a proposal to be a part of JCLC 2026!
Countdown until submission deadline
The Joint Conference of Librarians of Color is open to all library staff, students, influencers, and decision makers interested in exploring inclusive policies and practices in libraries and how they affect the ethnic communities who use our services. JCLC strives to deepen connections across constituencies, create spaces for dialogue, promote the telling and celebrating of one’s stories, and encourage the transformation of libraries into more democratic and diverse organizations.
The JCLC 2026 Steering Committee invites you to submit a proposal for presentation at the conference focusing on the theme Gathering at the Waters: Embracing our Spirits, Telling our Stories.
Deadline
Proposal submissions will close on Sunday, February 15, 2026, 11:58 p.m. CST.
Submission Guidelines
All proposals must be submitted before the deadline to the Joint Conference of Librarians of Color Conference platform. Program proposals promoting or selling products/services during conference sessions will not be accepted.
Selection Criteria
All proposals will be blind reviewed (without author identification) by the JCLC Program Committee. Proposals are evaluated on quality and clarity of content, uniqueness of topic, relevance to conference attendees, ability to engage the audience, and the relationship of the proposal to the mission and theme of the conference, Gathering at the Waters: Embracing our Spirits, Telling our Stories.
Proceedings
JCLC will encourage the selected conference presenters, in all formats, to publish their content using the online conference program application. The content will be directly linked to the program abstract and remain posted for one year. It is recommended that all program content be uploaded by the day of the presentation. Authors will retain copyright to their original work and are encouraged to publish their content in other established venues.
Tracks and Topics
Advocacy, Outreach, and Collaboration
For programs about relationship-building, community engagement, reparative work, partnerships, and advocacy for equity and access.
Bridge Building, Intersectionality, and Inclusion
For programs centering identity, cross-cultural collaboration, inclusive policies, and work that addresses inequities across identities and lived experiences.
Leadership, Management, and Organizational Development
For programs supporting workplace well-being, retention, career advancement, mentorship, inclusive management practices, and healing-centered HR approaches.
Technology and Innovation
For programs exploring emerging technologies, tech justice, digital storytelling, AI, algorithmic bias, privacy, or technology through culturally grounded perspectives.
Collections, Archives, and Memory Work
For programs on decolonizing practices, community archiving, cataloging repair, oral histories, multilingualism, trauma-informed work, and honoring community knowledge
Session Types
Panel Presentation (60 minutes)
A moderated session with multiple speakers offering different perspectives on a shared topic. Includes panel discussion, moderator questions, and audience Q&A.
Individual Presentation (60 minutes)
A single presenter or presenting pair leads a full session with deep exploration, case studies, practical strategies, or research findings.
Lightning Talk (15 minutes)
A short, fast-paced presentation ideal for highlighting key ideas, innovations, or project updates.
Poster Session
A visual, interactive format where presenters share information on posters, engage in conversation with attendees, and answer individualized questions.
Pre-Conference Session (Half-Day or Full-Day)
A longer, skill-building workshop held before the main conference. Allows hands-on learning, deep dives into specialized topics, and small-group interaction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who can submit a proposal?
Library staff and library-adjacent professionals from all types of libraries – public, tribal, academic, school, special, and community archives – are encouraged to submit. Students, paraprofessionals, library workers, educators, researchers, and community partners are also welcome.
What kinds of session types can I propose?
Panel Presentation (60 minutes)
A moderated session with multiple speakers offering different perspectives on a shared topic. Includes panel discussion, moderator questions, and audience Q&A.
Individual Presentation (60 minutes)
A single presenter or presenting pair leads a full session with deep exploration, case studies, practical strategies, or research findings.
Lightning Talk (15 minutes)
A short, fast-paced presentation ideal for highlighting key ideas, innovations, or project updates.
Poster Session
A visual, interactive format where presenters share information on posters, engage in conversation with attendees, and answer individualized questions.
Pre-Conference Session (Half-Day or Full-Day)
A longer, skill-building workshop held before the main conference. Allows hands-on learning, deep dives into specialized topics, and small-group interaction.
Can I submit more than one proposal?
Yes. Individuals and teams may submit multiple proposals. Each proposal must be submitted separately.
Can I submit a proposal with co-presenters?
Absolutely. Co-presenters are welcome for any type of session except lightning talks, which typically feature a single speaker.
How do I choose a program track?
You may select up to two tracks that best align with your session. Your proposal does not need to cover everything listed. Choose the track(s) that best represents your content focus.
Track Overviews:
Advocacy, Outreach, and Collaboration
For programs about relationship-building, community engagement, reparative work, partnerships, and advocacy for equity and access.
Bridge Building, Intersectionality, and Inclusion
For programs centering identity, cross-cultural collaboration, inclusive policies, and work that addresses inequities across identities and lived experiences.
Leadership, Management, and Organizational Development
For programs supporting workplace well-being, retention, career advancement, mentorship, inclusive management practices, and healing-centered HR approaches.
Technology and Innovation
For programs exploring emerging technologies, tech justice, digital storytelling, AI, algorithmic bias, privacy, or technology through culturally grounded perspectives.
Collections, Archives, and Memory Work
For programs on decolonizing practices, community archiving, cataloging repair, oral histories, multilingualism, trauma-informed work, and honoring community knowledge.
Do proposals need to connect to the conference theme?
Yes. While not every proposal must explicitly reference the theme, programs should reflect the spirit of “Gathering at the Waters: Uplift | Encourage | Empower.”
What information will I need to submit?
Typical proposal fields include:
- Session title
- Session type
- Selected track(s)
- Abstract (for the public program description)
- Detailed description (for review committee use)
- Learning outcomes
- Presenter names, affiliations, and demographic information (optional)
- A/V or accessibility needs
Are student or early-career proposals welcome?
Yes. JCLC actively encourages submissions from students, early-career professionals, and new voices in the field.
May I propose a session that is research-based? Practice-based? Community-based?
Yes, to all. JCLC values a wide range of knowledge: professional practice, community knowledge, cultural expertise, lived experience, scholarship, and creative work.
Are virtual presentations or hybrid formats available?
No. All sessions for JCLC 2026 are in-person.
Will the conference cover travel or speaker fees?
Typically, presenters are responsible for their own travel and lodging. Some scholarships, reduced-rate registration, or support opportunities may be available; details will be announced separately.
Can vendors, consultants, or organizations submit proposals?
Vendors may submit proposals only if the session is educational in nature and not promotional. Collaborative sessions with libraries or community organizations are encouraged.
When will proposal decisions be announced?
Proposers will be notified after the review process concludes. We anticipate letters of acceptance going out mid-March.
Who reviews the proposals?
Proposals are reviewed by committees with attention to the topic relevance, inclusivity, originality, clarity, and alignment with the conference mission.
What makes a strong proposal?
Successful proposals often:
- Present a clear, well-defined topic
- Offer practical takeaways and learning outcomes
- Center the experiences and needs of communities of color
- Integrate diverse perspectives or voices
- Incorporate culturally grounded, community-centered, or justice-oriented approaches
- Fit the selected session type and track
- Are creative, engaging, and clearly written