BLC Forum
Our Annual Membership Meeting
BLC Forum is an opportunity for BLC's membership to meet and connect with colleagues old and new, receive updates on consortial activities, and discuss library issues and trends. Agenda vary from year to year, but typically feature keynote sessions, workshops, lightning talks and social/networking activities.
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Boston University
George Sherman Union Building
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM EDT
Call for Proposals
We are currently seeking proposals from BLC members for in-person presentations, panels, lightning talks, workshops, and roundtable discussions at the 2025 BLC Forum. You can lead a 10-minute lightning talk, a 20-minute or 45-minute presentation, panel discussion, workshop, or roundtable discussion. We also welcome poster sessions. BLC staff will work with you to find collaborators and contributors for your proposed session, if desired. This is a great opportunity to share innovative ideas, projects, and initiatives on any and all topics with your BLC colleagues!
Proposals must be received by 5 pm ET on Friday, March 28, 2025. Presenters will be notified of the status of their proposal on April 2, 2025.
Schedule and Format
The morning will feature a light breakfast, consortial updates from BLC leadership, and professional development activities. The consortial updates will be streamed for virtual attendees.
The afternoon will include opportunities to connect, share, and collaborate with fellow BLC members. We will feature presentations, panels, and lightning talks from BLC members to share innovative ideas, projects, and initiatives. Our host, Boston University, will also offer curated library experiences. The day will conclude with BLC community meetings. This year, in lieu of consortial swag, BLC will be offering complimentary headshot photography for all participants!
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New Connections
Meet new colleagues to strengthen your network and connect with your peers
BLC Communities
Join colleagues to collaborate and exchange ideas about shared interests and current issues
Library Tours
Explore collections and services at libraries across the region
Hybrid Programming
Learn from peers and experts facilitating hybrid workshops and discussions
Past Keynote Speakers
2024
Jennie Rose Halperin (Library Futures)
Advocacy in Libraries, Libraries in Advocacy
2023
Nancy S. Kirkpatrick
Discovering Your (Secret?) Superpower
2022
Charles Vogl
Creating a Culture of Belonging
2021
Lydia X.Z. Brown (advocate, organizer, educator, attorney, strategist, and writer)
Radical Inclusion and Disability Justice
Delritta Hornbuckle (Fresno State)
Legacy Persistence
2019
DeEtta Jones (DeEtta Jones & Associates)
Courageous Leadership
2018
Robert W. Livingston (Center for Public Leadership, Harvard University)
Leveraging Diversity and Inclusion
2017
David Ferriero (Archivist of the United States)
Building Our Future Through Our Staff: Rethinking, Recruiting, and Retraining the Workforce in the 2020's
2016
Elliot Felix (brightspot strategy)
Building a Change-Ready Organization: Enabling Responsiveness and Resilience
2015
Dan Cohen (Digital Public Library of America)
Chris Bourg (MIT Libraries)
2014
Constance Malpas (OCLC Research)
Roger Schonfeld (Ithaka S+R)