Below are a few articles and websites to support the library and information science writing community.
More publications, plus calls for proposals
For news about calls for proposals (CFPs) and other writing opportunities in the library and information science world, we suggest:
- A Library Writer’s Blog, a resource to “help librarians identify publishing and presentation opportunities in library and information science as well as other related fields.” Managed by Corey Seeman of the University of Michigan.
- Academic Writing Librarians, a blog by Helen Fallon of the library of the National University of Ireland Maynooth. Says Fallon: “I developed this blog to support library staff who wish to write for publication. I’ve created links to resources I have used in my own writing and in the workshops I run. I also post calls for papers, books chapters, etc.”
- Dolores’ List of CFPs, a blog that “shares calls for papers and presentations in the disciplines of library science, information science, instructional design and technology, education (including adult education), and women’s and gender studies.” Note that librarian-blogger Dolores Fidishun stopped posting when she retired from Pennsylvania State University in 2019, but the archives can still be useful.
Publication selection tips
If you’re looking for a scholarly journal, the Journal Evaluation Tool from Loyola Marymount University offers a rubric and scoring sheet for evaluating journal credibility. While the focus is on open access publications, many of the criteria can be applied to other journals as well.
Writing and editing communities
The First Draft Matchmaker from the Library Writing Cooperative connects volunteer reviewers with authors looking for initial feedback on drafts of all sorts, from op-eds to research papers to book chapters to conference proposals. You can volunteer to be a reviewer, or submit your own draft for feedback. The cooperative is “a group of librarians working together to help other library workers share their work and ideas with the community.”
The Librarian Parlor “is a space for conversing, sharing expertise, and asking questions about the process of developing, pursuing, and publishing library research.” The focus is on early-career researchers, but all are welcome. “We feature interesting research methodologies, common challenges, in progress work, setbacks and successes. In providing this space, LibParlor aspires to support the development of a welcoming community of new researchers.”
More resources on writing and publishing
For still more resources on writing, editing, and publishing, our wiki team suggests:
- “Professional writing and publishing: Resources for librarians” by Laurie Putnam (2009). College & Research Libraries News, 70(4), 222–225.
- “Writing for publication: Tips and tools to jumpstart your professional writing plan” by Laurie Putnam (2012). 2012 Faculty Institute, San Jose State University School of Information.
- “Thirteen things you can do to help students improve their writing” (presentation and handout by Laurie Putnam). 2010 Faculty Institute, San Jose State University School of Information.
Our wiki readers suggest:
- Grammar check, a “free, safe, and secure online tool” for checking your grammar and spelling. Developed by a private English teacher and her programmer partner, who say, “We do not save any text you enter, nor do we keep log files. All texts get processed instantly and deleted immediately after processing your text.” Submitted by Lily, who finds this resource especially useful for her international students.
- “Money-saving guide for authors and writers,” a selection of resources on writing, editing, and publishing with an eye to the financial side of the work, including college scholarships and career options for young writers. Submitted by Marie, a future author who participates in a reading and writing group led by Holly, a middle school librarian.