Call for Proposals
DLF Virtual Forum 2026 • October 14-15, 2026
About the Forum
The DLF Virtual Forum 2026 is a community-driven event focused on digital library practice and culture. Our mission is to provide a low-barrier, highly accessible venue for researchers, librarians, practitioners, and students to share ideas, find collaborators, and move the field forward.
Our commitment to accessibility is central to the virtual format. By removing travel barriers and prioritizing digital accessibility standards, we aim to include a diverse array of voices that are often missing from traditional physical conferences.
Important Dates
- Submission Deadline Monday, May 11, 2026
- Community Voting June 1 - June 15, 2026
- Acceptance Notifications Late June 2026
- Forum Dates October 14-15, 2026
Important Dates
Submissions Open
April 14, 2026
CFP Deadline
May 11, 2026
Community Voting
June x - y, 2026
Notifications Sent
Late June 2026
Forum Dates
October 14-15, 2026
Submission Guidelines
Proposal Format
Standard presentations, lightning talks, or interactive workshops. Abstracts should not exceed 500 words.
Speaker Information
Provide a brief bio (150 words) and a high-resolution headshot for each presenter involved in the session.
Accessibility Statement
Describe how your presentation will be accessible (e.g., providing transcripts, high-contrast slides, or captions).
Proposal Portal Coming Soon
Thematic Tracks
Our tracks represent the intersection of legacy practices and emerging technologies.
Interoperability & Infrastructure
Discussing the backbone of digital access. Focus on APIs, metadata standards, and sustainable system architectures.
Community-Led Curation
Centering the voices of marginalized communities. Proposals on ethical collecting and local archival sovereignty.
Digital Preservation Futures
The long view of data. Strategies for obsolescence, AI-assisted archiving, and long-term storage sustainability.
Session Formats
Workshops
Hands-on technical training or skill-building sessions (90-120 mins).
Working Sessions
Facilitated discussions aimed at solving a specific challenge (60 mins).
Panels
3-4 speakers presenting multiple perspectives on a theme (60 mins).
Presentations
Standard formal presentations on completed or ongoing work (15-20 mins).
Digital Storytelling
Narrative-driven presentations highlighting creative projects.
Lightning Talks
Rapid-fire ideas or project updates (5-7 mins).
Proposal Requirements
- Title (up to 15 words)
- Abstract for program (50 words)
- Full proposal description (250-500 words)
- Description of active engagement (for sessions)
- Speaker bios (100 words each)
Evaluation & Voting
Proposals will be evaluated through a two-stage process: a double-blind peer review by our program committee followed by a community voting period. The committee considers relevance to the field, clarity of goals, and contribution to diversity.
Community Voice
We believe in community-driven curation. Every DLF member has the opportunity to vote on proposals they want to see in the final program.
Ready to contribute?
Submissions close Monday, May 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT.
Proposal Portal Coming Soon
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
"We are committed to creating a forum that reflects the full diversity of our field. We especially encourage proposals from individuals who identify as members of underrepresented groups, and from workers at HBCUs, MSIs, tribal colleges, and smaller cultural heritage institutions."
Together, We Archive.
Submissions close Monday, May 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT. Submit Your Proposal Now Together, We Archive. The DLF Virtual Forum is built on the collective intelligence of our community. Every proposal adds a vital thread to the Living Archive.