Illinois Youth Services Institute
February 27-28, 2025
Marriott Bloomington-Normal Hotel & Conference Center
Thank you for your interest in submitting a program proposal for the 2025 Illinois Youth Services Institute. This document will provide the information you need to submit your proposal. All conference programs are 60-minute sessions.
If you have any questions, please contact Kristin Pekoll at kpekoll@ila.org.
Speaker Expectations
NEW! Speakers are eligible for a conference registration discount of 20% off their appropriate fee.
Need Some Help?
Have an idea for a program that's not fully formed? Looking for a co-presenter to bring in additional perspectives? Are you a first-time presenter and need/want some assistance putting together your first session? You can submit a request for speaker support and the committee will help you develop your program.
ILA Office Hours
Register to meet with Kristin (the ILA Conference and Continuing Education Manager) to ask questions, brainstorm, and generally get conference speaker support. Not available during any of the times listed? Email Kristin at kpekoll@ila.org to schedule a 30 minute chat.
Page 1: Primary Speaker Information
Submit your name, email, organization, and title. Additional speakers can be added on the third page.
Page 2: Session Information
(Please note that the questions on this page cannot be edited by ILA. Pheedloop is located in Toronto, which is why program is spelled "programme." It's not a typo.)
Session title
While creative and interesting session titles help capture the attention of both the proposal review committee and prospective conference attendees, be sure that your title clearly communicates your topic.
Session description
In 200 words or less, describe your session using the guidelines below. Try to get to the core of what your session is about, while making it sound informative and interesting. If accepted, this copy will appear in the final program listing on the IYSI website and in the conference program book. Direct this description to conference attendees, not to the review committee. Additional information about your proposal or presenters can be entered later in the submission process.
- Do not include presenter's names or biographical information in the description; speakers' information will be submitted elsewhere.
- Do not use abbreviations or acronyms without clarification.
- Sessions cannot be an advertisement for a vendor or demonstration of a vendor-provided product or service. Specific products or services may be described if essential for understanding a session's topic. Library staff who use the product or service must participate in the presentation.
Learning outcomes
Please identify three (3) learning outcomes for your session. Learning outcomes should use active verbs, be measurable, and state what the participants should know or be able to do after attending your session. Learning outcomes should not simply repeat topics that will be addressed or activities that will take place during the session. Phrase each learning outcome as a completion of this sentence: “At the end of this session, participants will…”
Select relevant tracks
Please select a primary track for your proposal. The Institute Planning Committee reserves the right to change primary program tracks or list programs in additional tracks.
- Advocacy, Outreach, Marketing
- Authors, Books, Resources
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
- Hot Topics and New Trends
- Learning, Making & Programming
- Leadership, Training, Career Development
- Wellness and Self-care
What is the format of this session?
- Discussion (among attendees)
- Lecture (one speaker)
- Panel (traditional panel led by a moderator)
- Workshop (hands on learning)
Page 3: Co-Speakers
Cospeakers will be notified with the status of the proposal. Co-speakers can be added after the proposal is submitted. If you have no co-speakers, click “Next Step” at the bottom of the screen.
Page 4: Proposal Application Survey
How are the proposed speakers qualified to speak on this topic? Have they presented on this topic before?
Briefly explain how the speakers are qualified to present on this topic. What is their experience with this topic? Please limit the description for each speaker to a sentence or two.
Preferred day
We will attempt to honor requests, but there is no guarantee you will receive your requested time or date.
- Thursday, February 27
- Friday, February 28
- No preference
Preferred time of day
We will attempt to honor requests, but there is no guarantee you will receive your requested time or date.
- Morning
- Afternoon
- No preference
Presenter/session speciality area
- Infants
- Preschool
- Elementary
- Middle school
- High school
- Family
- Staff
- Other
Level of program content
- Beginner (unfamiliar topic to attendees)
- Intermediate (some experience or knowledge of the the topic)
- Advanced (attendees are well versed and experts in this topic)
Are you a first time speaker?
The IYSI planning committee wants to make sure that first time speakers have the support and encouragement they need to make this a positive experience.
Preferred room setup
- Theater (rows of chairs)
- Rounds (round tables)
- No preference
Is there any additional information you'd like the committee to have about this program?
Enter any additional comments here.
Submit A Proposal
This Institute is developed in partnership with Illinois Library Association, LACONI Youth Services, Reaching Across Illinois Library System, and Illinois Heartland Library System.
IYSI 2025 Planning Committee
Co-Chairs
Tina Ruszala, Palos Heights Public Library
Alissa Janchenko, New Lenox Public Library
Members
Jess Alexander, Morton Grove Public Library
Ann Baillie, Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library
Sara Bell, Dunlap School District
Lyndsey Carney, Normal Public Library
Leah Gregory, Illinois Heartland Library System
Andie Kelch, Brimfield Library
Kate Kite, Illinois Heartland Library System
Margae Schmidt, Reaching Across Illinois Libraries System
Staff Liaison
Kristin Pekoll, ILA Conference and Continuing Education Manager
Becca Boland, ILA & iREAD Content and Development Manager
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