ALCTS Program Proposal
Program
Preservation Debate
Title *
Program
Two teams will go head to head in debate on a controversial topic in libraries. Teams will
Description *
include members from the Preservation and Reformatting Section and the Rare Books and
Manuscripts Section, bringing their different perspectives to each side of the issue.
Audience members will be expected to ask questions during the debate, and the debate
will be followed by an open discussion with the audience and the debaters.
Program Objectives *
At the end of this program, participants will….
…better understand both sides of the topic debated, by engaging with the topic in a different format than
the standard PowerPoint presentation.
…continue conversations with colleagues outside of their section or division of ALA.
…become energized by the discussion and consider the debate format, or other alternative methods for
engaging with information, in planning other sessions at ALA meetings.
At the end of this program, participants will….
…better understand both sides of the topic debated, by engaging with the topic in a different format than
the standard PowerPoint presentation.
…continue conversations with colleagues outside of their section or division of ALA.
…become energized by the discussion and consider the debate format, or other alternative methods for
engaging with information, in planning other sessions at ALA meetings.
Anticipated
1 Hour
Length of
Program
Preferred Day Saturday
(Pick One) *
Preferred
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (1 Hour)
Time (Pick
One) *
Name of
Preservation and Reformatting Section
Sponsoring
Unit
Sponsoring
Unit Chair:
Name
Kara McClurken
Sponsoring
kmm6ef@virginia.edu
Unit Chair:
Email
Address
Target
The target audience is members of the Preservation and Reformatting Section, members of
Audience *
the Rare Books and Manuscripts Section. Other librarians interested in preservation topics,
or interested in exploring a different way to engage with information at a conference,
would also benefit from the session.
Program Outline: Topics and Speaker Information *
The topic for debate will be “Funding to support access to rare book and manuscripts collections should
be entirely dedicated to digitization, not to conservation treatment of original artifacts.”
Teams of three will be composed of members of the Preservation and Reformatting Section, and the Rare
Books and Manuscripts Section. Each team will have members of each section on it, to encourage a
collegial debate and collaboration across sections.
The Oxford-Style debate will be conducted as follows:
1. Affirmative opening statement: 5 minutes
2. Negative opening statement: 5 minutes
3. Affirmative second statement: 4 minutes
4. Negative second statement: 4 minutes
5. Questions from the floor: 13 minutes
6. Affirmative closing statement: 5 minutes
7. Negative closing statement: 5 minutes
During the remaining 19 minutes of the program, the program organizers will facilitate a discussion based
upon the debate, where audience members will have a chance to further elaborate on and discuss the
debaters' perspectives on the topic.
Estimated
101-150
Audience
Size *
Program

Debate
Format *
Desired
Theater
Room Setup *
Additional
The debate will require an additional mic to put in the audience for audience members to
Information
ask debaters questions. The debate will also require seating near the podium for the
debaters.
Co-
Yes, I intend to seek co-sponsorship of this program.
sponsorship *
If you
ACRL Rare Books and Manuscripts Section
answered
yes, please
indicate who
the possible
cosponsor(s)
are:
Program
Annie Peterson
Chair: Name
(Enter Your
Information
Here) *
Program
Preservation Librarian, Tulane University
Chair: Title *
Program
Chair:
7001 Freret Street
Preferred
New Orleans, LA 70118
Mailing
United States
Address *
Program
(504) 865-5641
Chair: Phone
Number *
Program
Chair: Email
Address *
epeters5@tulane.edu