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The Next Chapter: Community, Creativity, and Collaboration

Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Cross Timbers Library Collaborative (CTLC) Conference! This conference provides the opportunity for libraries across the Cross Timbers Region to showcase activities, services, and technology happenings in their libraries related to this year’s theme: "The Next Chapter: Community, Creativity, and Collaboration"

The Cross Timbers region is a unique ecological zone of woodlands and prairies that stretches from Central Texas through Oklahoma and into southeastern Kansas:

Texas: North-central Texas, extending from the Blackland Prairies to the Rolling Plains
Oklahoma: Significant portions of central and southern Oklahoma
Kansas: Extending into the southern part of the state

Library professionals outside of the Cross Timbers region are also welcome to submit a proposal and attend the annual conference

Conference Dates

Pre-conference: Thursday, July 30th, 2026
Conference: Friday, July 31st, 2026
Where: Both are held Virtually using Zoom

2026 CTLC Conference - Call For Proposals

Click Here to Submit a Proposal

Libraries are vibrant, ever-evolving hubs where community, creativity, and collaboration intersect. This year’s theme “The Next Chapter” celebrates not only the innovative programs and strong partnerships shaping our future but also the dedication and ingenuity of library employees who bring these ideas to life. What does the next chapter look like for you and your library users?

We invite proposals for:

25-minute presentations
50-minute presentations
40-minute panel discussions
7-minute lightning talks
pre-recorded poster presentations
pre-conference workshops

Proposals should include a title, indicate predicted length, and be no more than 500 words.

The committee welcomes proposals from students, recent graduates, new librarians, paraprofessionals, and seasoned librarians. We encourage a variety of formats, including presentations on innovative approaches to current library challenges, workshops on specific topics, panel discussions on contemporary library issues, and other proposals for training and sharing information.

Our primary goal is to promote information sharing, bring awareness to successful (or unsuccessful) programs and projects, and provide an affordable training, development, and networking opportunity for library professionals in the region. Please consider topics such as:

How have you engaged and connected with your campus and/or communities? What was the impact?
What creative or collaborative programs or projects have you been working on? How has it benefited your library?
What programs, services, or technological innovations have made you excited about libraries recently? Why?
What have you or your team done to adapt to funding limitations, hiring freezes, policy changes, etc.?
Would you like to share updates or gain peer input on a new or ongoing project?
How can professional organizations (TLA, ALA, ACRL) benefit librarians?

We accept proposals from all types of libraries, including but not limited to academic, school, public, and special libraries. The proposal deadline is March 26, 2026.

Questions about proposals?

View Previous Presentations

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