The Virtual Reference Desk(SM) 4th Annual Digital Reference Conference "Charting the Course of Reference: Toward a Preferred Future" November 11-12, 2002 Chicago, Illinois, USA Call for Student Papers The Virtual Reference Desk(SM) invites graduate students in the fields of library and information science to submit papers for the VRD 2002 Student Paper Competition. The purpose of this competition is to highlight exemplary graduate student research or thesis work in the area of digital reference libraries. Interested students are invited to submit a paper for consideration by June 28, 2002, along with a letter from an advisor verifying student status. All student submissions will be notified of acceptance no later than August 23, 2002. The author of the best student paper will win one free registration and free transportation to the VRD 4th Annual Digital Reference Conference in Chicago, IL, where he/she will present the paper before an international audience. The winner will be honored during an awards ceremony at the conference, and the paper may be published in the conference proceedings. The fourth annual VRD conference will emphasize planning and direction founded upon practical experience, research, or trend analyses. Authors are encouraged to examine issues, identify practices, and propose organizational and technological systems, standards, and practices that advance the state of reference librarianship as practiced in a digital environment. For more information on the VRD annual conference, please see the conference Web site at http://www.vrd.org/conferences/VRD2002/index.shtml. DEADLINES: Student papers will be accepted until June 28, 2002 (see paper submission instructions below). The winning student will be notified by August 23, 2002. PAPER SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Papers should include student's name, institution, address, phone, fax, e-mail, brief biographical information, and a letter from an advisor verifying student status. Please e-mail your paper to VRD Conference ([log in to unmask]) by June 22, 2002. You may also submit your paper online at http://www.oclc.org/institute/events/vrd2002/proposal_form.htm. Papers should be in Word format, and use APA style. The VRD 2002 Annual Digital Reference Conference is hosted by the Information Institute of Syracuse and the OCLC Institute. For more information regarding the VRD 2002 Annual Digital Reference Conference, please contact Marilyn Schick, [log in to unmask], 800-464-9107 or, 315- 443 -3640. The Virtual Reference Desk(SM) is a project of the U.S. Department of Education, operated by the Information Institute of Syracuse, Syracuse University. Located at: 621 Skytop Road, Suite 160, Syracuse, New York 13244 - 5290. Marilyn Schick Conference & Event Specialist Virtual Reference Desk - www.vrd.org ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology Syracuse University, 621 Skytop Road - Suite 160 Syracuse, New York 13244 - 5290 800 464 9107 - Fax: 315 443 5448 __________________________________________________________________ Mail submissions to [log in to unmask] For information about joining ARLIS/NA see: http://www.arlisna.org//membership.html Send administrative matters (file requests, subscription requests, etc) to [log in to unmask] ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance: http://lsv.uky.edu/archives/arlis-l.html Questions may be addressed to list owner (Kerri Scannell) at: [log in to unmask]