Call for Proposals

13th Annual Kraemer Copyright Conference

Innovating Through Disruption: The Copyright Challenge

June 15-17, 2026
Ent Center, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Hosted by the Kraemer Family Library, University of Colorado Colorado Springs

2026 Conference Theme

The 2026 Kraemer Copyright Conference will explore the transformative power of disruption in shaping the future of libraries, copyright, and access to knowledge. Disruption—whether sparked by technology, legal challenges, or shifting cultural expectations—presents both profound risks and extraordinary opportunities. This year’s conference invites participants to consider how libraries and copyright professionals can navigate and harness disruption as a catalyst for innovation, resilience, and advocacy. Together, we will examine how disruptive forces are reshaping copyright policy, redefining publishing and licensing models, and challenging traditional assumptions about information access. By embracing disruption, libraries and library workers can reimagine their roles as agents of change, leading the way toward forward-looking systems of knowledge sharing.
 

Conference Tracks

  • Libraries and Disruption Track
    This track invites proposals that explore how disruption—technological, legal, or cultural—is reshaping copyright, libraries, and access to information. Presentations should examine emerging challenges and innovative responses, highlighting how library and copyright professionals are adapting, experimenting, and advocating in rapidly changing environments.
  • Open Track
    A flexible track for proposals that bring fresh perspectives to copyright, libraries, and public access, extending beyond the primary conference theme.

Presentation Formats

  • 45-Minute Sessions
    In-depth presentations offering substantial exploration of ideas or case studies
  • 5-Minute Lightning Talks
    Quick, focused presentations that highlight innovative ideas, initiatives, or case studies in a concise format.
  • Poster Sessions
    Visual presentations providing an interactive opportunity for sharing projects, research, or case studies.

Topics of Interest Include (but are not limited to)

  • Disruptive technologies (e.g., AI, machine learning, data analytics) and their impact on copyright law, policy, and library practice
  • New and emerging approaches to copyright reform in response to technological and market disruption
  • Innovative strategies for negotiating licenses and navigating restrictive or shifting licensing models
  • Reimagining copyright education and literacy in an era of rapid technological and legal change
  • Cross-sector collaborations between libraries, archives, museums, and other partners in response to disruptive forces
  • Ethical challenges arising from disruption, including tensions between copyright enforcement, access, surveillance, and privacy
  • Practical approaches for libraries facing disruption in fair use interpretation, licensing norms, and statutory exceptions
  • The evolving role of libraries as influencers, advocates, and stakeholders in shaping copyright law and policy
  • Adapting library services and missions in the face of restrictive copyright rulings and increasing information privatization
  • Future-facing library technologies and infrastructures that enable libraries to better exercise their rights under Section 108, fair use, and related provisions
  • Proposals examining potential reforms to the Library of Congress and the U.S. Copyright Office, including leadership structures, institutional alignment, transparency, and governance models in response to disruptive legal and technological change

Proposal Submission Details

Deadline: February 20, 2026

Submit Your Proposal

Conference Proceedings

Selected participants will have the opportunity to publish their work in the Kraemer Copyright Conference 2026 Proceedings, curated by the Journal of Copyright in Education and Librarianship (JCEL).

Proposals Submissions

The committee must receive all proposals through the submission form by midnight (MST) February 20, 2026.

The submission form requires the following information:

  • Primary presenter’s contact information: name, title, affiliation, email address
  • Additional participant(s): name, title, affiliation, email address
  • Presentation format (Presentation, Lightning Talk, Poster Session)
  • Presentation track (Disruption in Libraries, Open Track)
  • Presentation/Poster Title
  • Brief description for the conference program (up to 300 words) 


Proposal Review and Notification
The conference organizer will review proposals, evaluating each on quality and clarity of content, relevance to conference themes, and ability to engage the audience. 

The conference organizer will start notifying presenters of selection decisions after the submission deadline has passed.

Additional Requirements
Once selected presenters confirm attendance, they will be registered for the Kraemer Copyright Conference. Presentation and digital poster materials will be required for non-peer reviewed conference proceedings via the Journal of Copyright in Education and Librarianship.

Conference workshops, presentations, and other documentation/media may be collected by the conference organizer via email at kcc@uccs.edu and preserved in the Kraemer Family Library institutional repository or another appropriate and accessible platform.

Non-Commercial Policy
The Kraemer Copyright Conference programs are non-commercial educational learning experiences. Under no circumstances should a speaker promote their product, service, or other self-interest.


Questions
Please email questions to the Kraemer Copyright Conference Planning Committee at kcc@uccs.edu.