Library Evidence Synthesis Services Symposium: Call for Proposals & Save the Date

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LESSS Admin
December 15, 2025

About the Conference:

We are thrilled to announce the second Library Evidence Synthesis Services Symposium (LESSS), a groundbreaking, fully virtual conference aimed at bringing together information professionals involved in providing evidence synthesis (ES) support and/or services at their institutions. 

During this four-day event, attendees will have the chance to engage with successes, challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned from evidence synthesis and systematic review service providers with a variety of backgrounds and disciplinary focuses. 

This conference is free and hosted entirely via Zoom with the express intention to lower the barrier to entry for new service providers and increase the quality and consistency of services across institutions. This event is open to everyone regardless of professional or disciplinary affiliation, or experience with evidence synthesis methods. Sessions will be held in English; Zoom-integrated captioning and recording transcripts will be available.

Conference Theme:

The 2026 theme of LESSS is Building Capacity for Sustainable, Innovative Evidence Synthesis Services. 

We invite proposals that align with this theme and encompass a range of topics related to evidence synthesis services, including but not limited to:

  • Building capacity for new and established ES programs

  • Sustainable ES workflows in fast-paced research environments

  • Leveraging AI and emerging technologies intentionally and responsibly

  • Training, upskilling, and expanding librarian competencies

  • Defining scope and designing clear service models

  • Navigating funding, staffing, and feasibility

Submission Guidelines:

  • Proposals should be submitted through the online submission form by February 27, 2026.

  • Presentations can be in the format of individual presentations (30 min or 15 min), panel discussions (50 min), roundtables (45 min), or lightning talks (5 min).

  • All proposals will undergo a peer-review process for selection. 

  • We aim to include presenters from a variety of backgrounds/experience, so any individual may be a named contributor on up to two proposals.

  • We aim for diversity of thoughts, experience, and voices. Both inexperienced and experienced information professionals are encouraged to submit! 

Important Dates:

  • Proposals Submission Opens: December 15, 2025

  • Deadline for Proposal Submission: February 27, 2026

  • Notification of Submission Decisions: April 6, 2026

  • Publish Full Schedule: Week of May 4, 2026

  • Conference Dates: June 15-18, 2026

Contact Information:

For inquiries or assistance, please contact conference organizers at [email protected].

Submit your proposal today to join us at the Library Evidence Synthesis Services Symposium (LESSS) as we explore new frontiers in evidence synthesis services.

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On behalf of the LESSS Planning Committee

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