Publication analysis
About the publication
Title: The Journal of Research on Libraries and Young Adults (JRLYA)
ISSN: 2157-39801
Website: http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/
Purpose, objective, or mission: The official research journal of the Young Adult Library Services Association, JRLYA‘s purpose is to “enhance the development of theory, research, and practices to support young adult library services.”2
As part of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA, a subspecialty of the ALA), JRLYA‘s mandate is part of YALSA’s National Research Agenda. The 2017-2021 Research Agenda reexamines how libraries can continue to meet the “changing needs” and “information practices” of teens.3
Target audience: “The primary audience for Journal of Research on Libraries and Young Adults includes academics, public librarians, school library media specialists, and secondary school educators who advocate for young adults and strive to support their developmental and educational needs.”4
Publisher: Young Adult Library Services Association5
Peer reviewed? Yes.6
Type: LIS Scholarly.7
Medium: Online.8
Content: From the YALSA website: JRLYA “promotes and publishes high quality original research concerning the informational and developmental needs of young adults; the management, implementation, and evaluation of library services for young adults; and other critical issues relevant to librarians who work with young adults.”9 Articles in the journal also include literary and cultural analysis of writing for young adults.10
Frequency of publication: Irregularly.11
About the publication’s submission guidelines
Location of submission guidelines: http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/author-guidelines/
Types of contributions accepted: Original, research-based manuscripts. From the Author Guidelines: “Manuscripts may be based on original qualitative or quantitative research, an innovative conceptual framework, or a substantial literature review that opens new areas of inquiry and investigation.”12 You may also submit manuscripts from other disciplines focused on “enriching theory, research and practice in young adult library services.”13
Submission and review process: Send the submission as an email attachment (.doc, .txt. or .rft) to Dr. Denise E. Agosto: yalsaresearch@gmail.com. Submissions should be between 4,000 and 7,000 words double spaced.14
The editor will acknowledge all submissions, and the review process generally takes 10 to 12 weeks. The review process includes an initial assessment by the editor: if the submission reflects the journal’s mission statement and is considered for inclusion, it’s sent to at least two reviewers for a double-blind review process, where the next step is determined. The manuscript will then be a) accepted for publication, b) accepted pending revisions, c) sent back for major revisions and resubmission, d) rejected, or e) deemed not appropriate for the journal, with other journals suggested.15
Editorial tone: While the articles are stringently peer reviewed and of professional quality, they are extremely readable in tone, friendly, engaging, and concise, and deliver excellent information to the reader.16
Style guide used: Chicago Manual of Style (15th Edition), for overall formatting. Random House Webster’s College Dictionary for spelling & usage. See the Author Guidelines for specifics.17
Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors
LIS authors with even a modicum of interest in working with teens should take a look at this journal and consider submitting an article for publication. It is extremely helpful that, even if your paper is rejected by JRLYA, the editors will suggest alternate publications for you to submit to.
Writing topics cover every aspect of YA/librarianship you can think of. A 2013 article discussed biracial identity in adolescent books, with the author delving into her own ethnic and racial identity to set the tone.18 Another article was about the popular X-Men characters, focusing specifically on X-Women’s sexual objectivity.19 You’ll find this article alongside a more research-oriented study on South Korean adolescent immigrants,20 or issues in juvenile detention center libraries.21 A more recent article focuses on the ongoing debate surrounding multiculturalism in books, specifically, “Who is or is not
allowed to create multicultural literature?” 22
Audience analysis
About the publication’s readers
Publication circulation: Not available.
Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The journal is purely online23 and is geared towards anyone interested in YA library services and studies.24 Written in American English,25with references to all sorts of young adult literature and pop culture subjects.26
Reader characteristics: JRLYA is intended for LIS researchers, faculty, students, and professional librarians interested in young adult library services.27
Per the Author Guidelines, the journal asks authors to consider the following style points when submitting for publication:
- Choose terms that reflect YALSA’s philosophy.
- Avoid sexist language.
- Articles should be of a scholarly, research-based nature.28
Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers are likely very familiar with LIS subject matter. However, the journal doesn’t just cater to professional librarians, per their website: “The scope of the journal includes all aspects of library services to young adults at every level and for all types of libraries.”29 So, if including LIS jargon in your submission, make sure it’s explained or easily inferred within the context.
Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors
Esteemed authors such as Anthony Bernier, Carol C. Kuhlthau, and Virginia Walter have written for and commended the efforts of JRLYA.30 Readers can connect with YALSA on Facebook, Twitter, various blogs, and via a special wiki YALSA maintains to facilitate research and discussion of all things young adult. This is a wonderful publication, to read or write for; it is helpful and respectful of authors and takes its content very seriously, while never being dull or stuffy. In short, JRLYA is a great source of YA information.
Last updated: February 5, 2018
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