Info for Presenters
How and when will I find out if my proposal has been accepted?
- Both Presentation proposal and Lightning Talk proposal submitters will be notified by email by September 21 2023.
I am a presenter; do I have to register?
Yes. Although spots for up to three presenters per group will be automatically saved for the conference for each presentation session and one spot for each lightning talk, each individual presenter needs to fill in a short online registration form (sent via email to the session's primary contact). Completion of the online form gives us each person's particular information include any special needs a person may have. All presenters are required to pay the full registration fee by Monday, November 6, 2023. Failure to pay the registration fee could result in the cancellation of your session and conference registration.
Whom should I contact regarding proposal or presenter questions?
Dunstan McNutt at sessions2023@loexfallfocus.org.
Will there be proceedings articles for these sessions?
No, we are not doing proceedings articles.
What software will be used for the online sessions?
We will be using Zoom, as we did for LOEX 2020 and LOEX 2021.
Specifically, we plan on using Zoom with the Webinar add-on, which is designed for breakout sessions with a host and panelists, particularly sessions with potentially more than 50 people attending. Virtually all of us have used Zoom for both personal and professional reasons over the past few years, but very likely you typically have used "Meetings" not "Webinar" on a regular basis. A feature comparison of the two Zoom platforms shows they are similar, but there are some differences (e.g., no breakout rooms for webinars).
Is this like the Zoom meetings I've used to conduct library team meetings or get-togethers with my friends over the past few years?
In some ways, yes (e.g., many of the buttons are the same, as-is much of the look & feel) but it will not be the "gallery view" grid format with a bunch of video squares of talking heads arrayed across your screen.
The focus during LOEX presentations and lightning talks will be on 1) the presentation material (e.g., PowerPoint slides; a website from the presenter's institution) and 2) the presenter's voice and video camera. Attendees will not have the ability to use their mic or video camera during a presentation session or a lightning talk; they will be able to communicate with the presenter(s) through the chat function along with polls or similar (if you would like to do the latter).
How will LOEX help me prepare for conducting sessions in an online format? (for 50-minute Presentations)
As we have done before, we will offer 30-minute Zoom "sound checks" where each session’s presenter(s) will perform some basic checks with a LOEX moderator and make sure they are comfortable with the technology. We will offer those again this year and presenters of the 50-minute presentations will receive an email by October 23, 2023 with time slot availability for the weeks of October 30 and November 6. Also, as you prepare, be sure to review:
- best practices for presenting- tips for web conference tools (Zoom Webinar, specifically).
How do I record my Lightning Talk ahead of time? (for 7-minute Lightning Talks)
Each seven-minute lightning talk will be recorded and submitted as an MP4 file ahead of time. This will simplify the lightning talk process during the conference (e.g., the LOEX host, with all the files ahead of time, will be able to handle the switching from one video to another on their own) and save time ahead of the conference by not having lightning talk presenters meet with a LOEX moderator to prep the session.
- tips on how to pre-record your lightning talk
During the conference, after the recording is played by the host for the attendees, each lightning talk presenter will answer, live, any attendee questions for three minutes each. The LOEX host will moderate the session by reading the questions for you and keeping the time.
What technology and equipment will I need?
As we've all learned over the past few years, online breakout sessions can successfully be conducted from anywhere, as as long as you have a computer, a strong internet connection, a good microphone and reasonably quiet work space.
We recommend all presenters, if possible, use a headset/headphones with a microphone. It reduces ambient noise for both you and the attendees, and tends to provide a clearer sound.
Utilizing the computer's video camera is not required, but it is nice for presenters to turn it on if you feel comfortable, particularly during the short Q&A portion(s) of the session.
Will attendees be able to evaluate my session? Will I get that feedback?
Yes and yes.
A short SurveyMonkey form will be created for each session, and "handed out" (i.e., the link will be posted into the chat) by each session's LOEX host at the beginning and at the end of each session. The LOEX Director will export the anonymous feedback scores & comments, briefly summarize it, and send an email with the results to the presenters later in November.
A short SurveyMonkey form will be created for each session, and "handed out" (i.e., the link will be posted into the chat) by each session's LOEX host at the beginning and at the end of each session. The LOEX Director will export the anonymous feedback scores & comments, briefly summarize it, and send an email with the results to the presenters later in November.
Can I have my session materials posted somewhere on the LOEX site so attendees & others can view them later?
Yes. All presenters have to the option to send in their session materials (e.g., slides, handouts) after LOEX Fall Focus 2023 for posting on the conference website. You will receive an email after the conference with instructions on how to do this.