Session Formats - RBMS 2027. Online registration by Cvent

Session Formats

RBMS 27 Special Collections for All offers seven session formats to suit a wide range of presentation and learning preferences. Speakers have the option of presenting either in-person in Reno, Nevada, or remotely from their own location. Presenters in the same session must be either all in-person in Reno or all virtually presenting from their own location(s).

Length: 75 minutes
Modality: In-Person or Virtual Only

Discussion Sessions aim to engage the audience in lively discourse, preferably with a topic connected to the conference theme: “Special Collections for All: Access, Equity, and the Reach Beyond the Academy.” The facilitators are expected to spend no more than 15 minutes on prepared introductory remarks to lay the groundwork. The remaining 60 minutes should be dedicated to small group discussion and sharing out. The task of the facilitators is to encourage maximum audience participation on the chosen topic. Prospective facilitators interested in submitting a proposal for a discussion session should provide an abstract that covers the topic and the direction they hope the conversation will take, along with five discussion questions. To encourage active participation, this format is not recorded, and in-person discussions have NO audiovisual equipment available except microphones.

Expectations for Discussion Sessions

No more than 15 minutes of presentation on the topic
At least 60 minutes of moderated discussion (no audiovisual equipment available except microphones)
Facilitators are required to attend a preliminary moderator training

All you need to submit:

Title of the session and preferred modality (in-person or virtual)
Promotional description (100-word abstract)
Five sample audience questions (100 words or less)
A brief list of possible outcomes (100 words or less)
Primary tag (select from list)

Length: 60 minutes
Modality: In-Person or Virtual Only

Panel Sessions typically include three individual presenters speaking on a cohesive topic, followed by Q&A facilitated by a designated moderator. Proposals for entire panels with a moderator in mind are strongly encouraged, but the Conference Program Planning Committee can provide a moderator if needed. All presenters must be either in person or virtual; mixed panels of in-person and virtual presenters will not be considered.

Expectations for Panels

40-45 minutes for presentations, divided among the presenters
15-20 minutes for questions and answers
Moderators are required to attend a preliminary moderator training

All you need to submit:

Title of the session and preferred modality (in-person or virtual)
Promotional description (100-word abstract)
400-word proposal outlining main points, relevance, and conclusions or takeaways
Primary tag (select from list)
Presenter name(s), institution, and email

Length: 10-15 minutes, placed on a panel by the programming committee
Modality: In-Person or Virtual Only

Papers can be on any topic but should be no longer than 15 minutes. The programming committee will pair your paper with others as they see fit, to all be presented in a one-hour time slot.

Expectations for Papers

40-45 minutes total for papers, divided among the speakers (10-15 minutes each, depending on the size of the panel)
15-20 minutes for questions and answers

All you need to submit:

Title of the paper and preferred modality (in-person or virtual)
Promotional description (50 words)
250-word proposal outlining main points, relevance, and conclusions
Primary tag (select from list)
Presenter name(s), institution, and email

Length: 60 minutes
Modality: In-person informal presentation of physical poster board during beverage breaks

Poster presenters will be asked to present in-person during a beverage break when people can engage and ask questions. While no formal talk is expected, presenters should be prepared to deliver remarks and answer questions about their topic. Individuals or small groups may submit posters. Poster presenters may also submit a digital file (up to 10.0 GB in size) of their poster in the conference platform for asynchronous virtual viewing (optional but strongly encouraged).

Expectations for Poster Presentations

60 minutes for question and answer (unmoderated)
Posters should fit a 30" x 40" foam core board (portrait or landscape). An easel and board will be provided; please bring your own mounting supplies (pins, tacks, or adhesive).

All you need to submit:

Title of the poster
Promotional description (100-word abstract)
Three learning outcomes
Primary tag (select from list)
Presenter name(s), institution, and email

Length: 10 minutes
Modality: In-Person/livestreamed

The Power of New Voices session consists of three to four “lightning” talks (10 minutes each). This session type is open exclusively to: students in Master’s programs leading to a career in special collections librarianship; new and emerging professionals (up to 5 years post Master’s degree); and past RBMS scholarship recipients. The RBMS Membership & Professional Development Committee collaborated with the Scholarships and Diversity Committees to advocate for the creation of a session specifically designed to highlight emerging voices in the profession and to provide opportunities to present at the conference.

Expectations for Power of New Voices Lightning Talks

10 minutes for presentation per presentation
15 minutes for questions and answers

All you need to submit:

Title of the presentation
One sentence promotional description
250-word proposal outlining main points, relevance, and conclusions
Primary tag (select from list)
Presenter name(s), institution (optional), and email

Length: 3 or 6 hours
Modality: In-Person or Virtual Only

Workshops are meant to be immersive learning experiences that deeply engage participants through either a full- or half-day session. Workshops are ticketed add-on sessions that attendees pay an additional fee for. Workshops do not have to be on the conference theme. Workshops will occur on Tuesday, June 8, 2027. Accepted presenters are eligible for modest stipends to help offset the expenses of the additional day.

Expectations for Workshops

Full day: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm (max of six hours including breaks)
Half day: 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm (max of three hours including a break)

All you need to submit:

Title of the workshop and preferred modality
Promotional description (100-word abstract)
400-word proposal outlining main points, relevance, and ways you will engage the audience
Three learning outcomes
Length of workshop
Primary tag (select from list)
Presenter name(s), institution, and email

Length: 7 minutes
Modality: Virtual Only

Lightning talk sessions will consist of six “lightning round” talks, each 7 minutes long. We encourage proposals that relate to the conference theme: “Special Collections for All: Access, Equity, and the Reach Beyond the Academy.” This format is open to anyone. This shorter form style is intended to welcome case studies, works-in-progress, and timely reports.

Expectations for Power of New Voices Lightning Talks

7 minutes for presentation
No time slated for Q&A

All you need to submit:

Title of the presentation
One sentence promotional description
250-word proposal outlining main points, relevance, and conclusions
Primary tag (select from list)
Presenter name(s), institution, and email