Call for Proposals
MLA will now be using the Slideroom platform for proposal submission as well as some nominations and applications. This change aims to make it easier to review and organize proposals and applications, shorten the time it takes for applicants to receive a reply, and streamline our internal processes.
MLA’s Slideroom homepage will list all open programs; just select the application you wish to complete and set up a Slideroom account. You will be able to log in to this account to see updates and submit future applications and proposals. The application form will be very similar to past MLA applications, and full details can be previewed before beginning your application.
Please note that Slideroom will only accept one submission per email address. If you would like to submit multiple proposals, please use a second email address or have a co-presenter complete the form.
Annual Calls for Proposals are issued for our Spring Institute for Youth Services Conference and our Annual Conference. Calls for Proposals for webinars, workshops, and additional resources are issued as needed. Review details of open and upcoming calls for proposals below.
Spring Institute for Youth Services 2026 Call for Proposals
Submissions are welcome through Friday, December 5, 2025.
Click here to view these guidelines as a PDF.
Play It Forward: Share your expertise and experiences with your peers! This year’s Spring Institute focuses on the importance of play in learning and development. We aim to inspire one another while playfully engaging with the latest ideas and knowledge in professional development. We know that people grow through discovery, imagination, and hands-on exploration, so whether you’ve launched an innovative idea, created a standout program, or found fresh ways to foster play in your community, we want to hear from you!
Spring Institute is the premier professional development and networking event for Michigan library youth and teen services professionals. Spring Institute thrives on your energy, creativity, and expertise. You spend all year spearheading new initiatives, discovering new ways to reach your community, and improving your professional skills. Now is the chance to showcase that work. Let’s inspire one another, grow together, and bring play to the forefront of professional development.
Submit a proposal and help shape the conversation. Let’s play, learn, and lead together!
There are two types of proposals:
- Breakout Presentation: A 45-minute session for you or a panel to present on a library experience or to lead a structured discussion on a topic of your choice.
- Workshop Proposals: Present a Library Program! Bring one of your favorite programs to life by leading a hands-on workshop for your peers, who will participate as if they’re your library patrons! As you guide attendees through the activity in real time, share insights into what worked well, what you might improve next time, and any helpful resources. This is your chance to offer a practical, immersive learning experience. Think playful, interactive, and creative! Some examples of workshop topics include: crafting or maker programs, escape rooms, STE(A)M experiments, life-sized board games, etc.
Session Proposal Guidelines
Proposals must be submitted through the Call for Proposals form on the MLA website. Emailed submissions will not be accepted without prior approval.
You may submit multiple proposals, but you will need a different email address for each proposal.
The submitter may or may not also be a presenter.
You do not need to be an MLA member to submit a workshop or present.
Presentations cannot include sales pitches for specific products or services.
Presenters must be able to attend Spring Institute in-person in Grand Rapids on either March 19 or 20, 2026.
Contact information is required for each presenter.
MLA will publish the names, job title, organization, and a short biography of each presenter on the Spring Institute website, unless directed otherwise.
Presentations and Workshops are both 45 minutes long including time for audience questions.
MLA will not reimburse or compensate for presentation time, or mileage, or any other expense related to participation in the conference.
Presenters, including MLA members, must register and pay for the day(s) they attend Spring Institute if they plan to participate in any conference activities beyond their presentation.
Additional Workshop Submission Guidelines
Workshops will be limited to 30 participants, and attendees must be registered for the workshop in order to participate.
Include a draft of your program outline in your proposal.
List relevant details such as: program timeline, hands-on portions, supplies, etc.
MLA will provide up to $50 in supplies for each workshop. The workshop presenter will need to coordinate with MLA staff to obtain the requisite supplies for the workshop.
Evaluation Criteria
The MLA Annual Conference workgroup will use the following criteria in assessing the viability of including a program in the schedule. The work group retains the right to reject, modify, or combine proposals.
- Purpose: Does the proposal clearly identify a goal and takeaways for the audience?
- Audience: Is the target audience clearly identified?
- Practicality: Is the topic appropriate for a conference breakout session in content and target audience?
- Scalability: Does the proposal clearly address the scalability of the topic to different library sizes and communities?
- Engagement: Will the presentation and presenter(s) keep the audience’s focus and attention through clear speech, engaging visuals, useful and relatable content?
- Relevance: Is the topic of current interest, bringing new ideas and a fresh perspective to its intended audience and theme?
- Qualifications: Does the speaker(s) have sufficient or relevant experience to present on the proposed topic?
Agreements and Selection Notification
MLA will contact each presenter in writing with the workgroup’s acceptance decision.
MLA will send all individual presenters a Presenter Agreement indicating the date, time, and details of their presentation. This must be confirmed by the presenters and returned to MLA.
Deadlines and Due Dates
Friday, December 5, 2025: Final day to submit proposals. This deadline is firm and will not be extended.
Friday, January 9, 2026: Selection notifications distributed via email from MLA to all presenters.
Friday, January 31, 2026: Presenter agreements due to MLA office.
Friday, March 13, 2026: Handouts received for posting on MLA website.
Thursday, March 19 and Friday March 20, 2026: MLA 2025 Spring Institute, Eberhard Center, Grand Rapids.
Handouts
Handouts are strongly recommended for every session.
Handouts will be added to the event website and mobile app. Examples of handouts may be, but are not limited to: presenter contact information, a list of additional resources, a copy of presentation slides, or related worksheets.
Printed handouts are not distributed on-site by MLA. Presenters may provide hard copies of handouts if desired at their own cost. We also encourage providing access to handouts directly in your presentation via QR code.
Program AV & Room Setup
All presentation rooms will be supplied with an HDMI cord, screen, and podium with microphone at no cost to the presenter.
MLA will have laptops on hand for use, but presenters are encouraged to bring their own device.
Wi-Fi internet will be in each presentation room however, MLA cannot guarantee the speed and dependability of the services at any given time.
Remote mouse devices/pointers are the responsibility of the presenter. If presenters choose to bring their own computer that does not connect to an HDMI cable, they will be responsible for providing their own connection cables or adapter.
Rooms are typically sat theatre style. MLA will take every effort to make sure the presentation rooms are set up according to the needs of the presentation.
Questions
Please feel free to contact MLA Event Coordinator Mackenzie Hanfland or Courtnei Moyses, Spring Institute 2026 Conference Chair, with any questions you may have prior to your submission.
Mackenzie Hanfland, Michigan Library Association: [email protected]
Courtnei Moyses, Grand Rapids Public Library Ottawa Hills Branch: [email protected]
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