Call for Panel Proposals

We invite dynamic and thought-provoking panel proposals that will stimulate critical debate, foster deep reflection, and generate actionable insights across the evolving landscape of digital libraries. JCDL 2026 seeks to convene an international group of scholars, practitioners, technologists, and thought leaders for robust discussions on current and emerging challenges in the field.

Proposals should address pressing or emerging issues in digital libraries, archives, and related domains, offering fresh perspectives and fostering meaningful dialogue.

Important Dates

All deadlines are Anywhere on Earth (AoE) time.

Panel Formats

Panels typically run 60–90 minutes, including time for audience interaction. We welcome both established and creative formats. Your proposal should justify your chosen format as the best way to engage the audience and explore your topic. Examples include:

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be 2–4 pages in length, excluding references, and must be written in English, submitted in PDF format, and prepared in the current ACM two-column conference format. Suitable LaTeX, Word, and Overleaf templates are available from the ACM Website: ACM Proceedings Template. Authors using LaTeX should use the sigconf proceedings template, while Word authors should use the Interim Template.

Each proposal must include the following:

1. Panel title and abstract (max 250 words)
2. Goals and relevance: A statement of the panel’s goals or learning outcomes, a brief outline of the topics or questions to be addressed, and an explanation of why the panel is timely and relevant to the JCDL audience.
3. Format and engagement: Describe the planned format (e.g., round-table, fishbowl, debate) and how the audience will be involved. Include any interactive or virtual engagement techniques (e.g., live polls, breakout discussions, Q&A formats) and note any special technical requirements.
4. Target audience: Estimated audience and intended community (e.g., academic researchers, industry practitioners, librarians). Discuss who will benefit and how you will attract and engage attendees.
5. Panelists: A tentative list of panelists (typically 3–5 members plus a moderator), with affiliations and a one-line bio. Indicate if panelists have already agreed to participate. Diverse representation is strongly encouraged — varied regional, institutional, disciplinary, and career-stage perspectives are especially welcome.
6. Moderator: Identify the moderator(s) and describe their role in guiding the discussion and engaging the audience.
7. Technical/logistical needs: Time zone considerations or use of interactive tools. All panels will be hosted via Zoom Webinar.
8. Organizer information: Contact information and brief bios for organizers. Note any previous experience organizing panels or workshops on related topics.

Policies

ACM Publications Policy

By submitting an article to an ACM publication, authors acknowledge that they and their co-authors are subject to applicable ACM Publications Policies, including ACM’s Publications Policy on Research Involving Human Participants and Subjects.

Generative AI Policy

All submissions must comply with applicable ACM and conference policies regarding the use of generative AI tools. Any AI-assisted writing or AI-generated content should be disclosed in accordance with the final publication requirements of the venue.

Authorship Policy

JCDL 2026 follows the ACM Authorship Policy. Every listed author must have made a substantial contribution. The complete author list must be finalized by the submission deadline — no additions, removals, or reordering will be allowed after submission.

Desk Rejection Policy

Submissions failing to adhere to length or formatting requirements, or violating academic integrity standards, may be desk-rejected. See the ACM Policy on Plagiarism, Misrepresentation, and Falsification.

ORCID Requirement

Please ensure that all authors obtain an ORCID ID so the publishing process can be completed for accepted submissions. For background, see ACM’s ORCID FAQs.

Ethics and Conduct

Research Ethics

Authors must comply with the ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. Submissions involving human participants must include a statement on ethics approval (e.g., IRB), informed consent, and relevant safeguards.

Conflict of Interest

All authors, reviewers, and committee members must adhere to the ACM Conflict of Interest Policy. Conflicts must be declared during submission and review.

Harassment Policy

All participants must adhere to the ACM Policy Against Harassment.

Panel Chairs

Informal inquiries and discussion of panel ideas are welcome prior to submission.

Examples of Previous Panels

To inspire your proposal, here are selected examples of impactful past panels:

• Application of GAI to Empirical Studies: It’s High Time to Discuss Challenges and Pitfalls
• Smart Library in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Vision, Application and Strategy
• Causal Inference in Science of Science
• Who Can Submit an Excellent Review for This Manuscript in the Next 30 Days? – Peer Reviewing in the Age of Overload
• Research Data Without Borders: How the Sections of the NFDI Work on Cross-Cutting Topics Across Disciplines and Consortia
• Conceptual Models and Ontological Schemas for Semantically Sustainable Digital Libraries
• Data and Information Literacy Education: Methods, Models, and Challenges
• Institutionalizing and Sustaining Virtual Reality Experiences
• Creation of a Digital Library by the Communities and for the Communities
• At the Nexus of Data and Collections: New Affordances in the Age of Mass-Scale Digital Libraries
• Can Research Librarians Make Contributions to Decision-Making as Intelligence Analysts?
• The Quill Project: Designing a Research Platform for Engaged Learning
• “Can We Really Show This?”: Ethics, Representation and Social Justice in Sensitive Digital Space
• Issues of Dealing with Fluid Data in Digital Libraries
• Preserving Born-Digital News