Publication analysis
About the publication
Title: The Library Quarterly
ISSN: 0024-2519 (Print) and 1549-652X.1
Website: http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/LQ
Purpose, objective, or mission: The mission of Library Quarterly, per their website, is “to engage researchers, educators, professionals, and students interested in the roles of the libraries in the lives of individuals, communities, and nations.”2
Target audience: Library Quarterly is geared towards librarians, as well as anyone interested in libraries in general.3
Publisher: University of Chicago Press.4
Peer reviewed? Yes.5
Type: LIS scholarly.6
Medium: Print and online.7
Content: Library Quarterly features empirical articles on topics of interest to information professionals, “such as digital libraries, diversity in LIS, information literacy training, and information-seeking behavior.”8 Content promotes discussion and dialogue between the scholarly and practitioner communities and addresses the value of libraries as cultural, community, and learning institutions.9
Frequency of publication: Quarterly.10
About the publication’s submission guidelines
Location of submission guidelines: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/journals/lq/instruct
Types of contributions accepted: Library Quarterly “publishes cutting-edge articles, essays, editorials, and reviews that:
INFORM by providing insights into the collection of, access to, and dissemination of information; analyzing planning and evaluation of information services, resources, and technologies; and examining the development, education, pedagogy, theory, and practice of the information professions
ENABLE by investigating the interactions between cultural spaces and users of information; study the impact of information and communication technologies on libraries and their communities; and examining users and information behavior
EQUALIZE by analyzing the multiple uses that diverse groups make of libraries and exploring the roles of information in human rights and social justice discourse
LEAD by providing an understanding of libraries as institutions of culture and education; addressing the impacts of information and telecommunication policy on libraries and their communities; describing empirically the value that that libraries contribute to the communities they serve; and promoting discussion and collaboration between the scholarly and practitioner communities.”11
Submission and review process: Original, unpublished manuscripts are submitted electronically through the journal’s Editorial Manager here, which requires authors to create an account. All manuscripts are subject to a double-blind peer review.12
Editorial tone: Scholarly.13
Style guide used: Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition14
Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors
Due to its broad scope, The Library Quarterly is an excellent publication for seasoned scholarly authors and budding MLIS students alike. Additionally, The Library Quarterly is a respected publication with a lengthy history which dates back to 1931. Finally, the journal is marketed towards “all areas of librarianship,”15 so contributions from librarians of all types are welcomed.
Audience analysis
About the publication’s readers
Publication circulation: No information is available.
Audience location: Library Quarterly is published in the U.S. (in English only) but is indexed in international databases16. Thus, writers should keep specific cultural references to a minimum.
Reader characteristics: Readers likely have (or are currently working towards) a master’s degree in library and information science, and many may have post-graduate degrees as well. Additionally, readers are interested in research-based scholarship, demonstrating that they take their profession very seriously and are committed to staying informed and educated.17
Since Library Quarterly is geared towards librarians and information professionals as a whole, its audience includes professionals in public libraries, special libraries, academic libraries, and other information-based organizations.18 Their interests within the profession will be varied, as will their experience levels.
Information professionals in general are eager to learn and keep apprised of the latest research. They value education and tend to be lifelong learners. Their personal and political views are, for purposes of this journal, irrelevant. In reading Library Quarterly, they will be concerned only with the relevance of articles to their work.
Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Due to their aforementioned characteristics, readers are likely to have in-depth knowledge of LIS subject matter, trends, and jargon.19
Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors
Readers of The Library Quarterly expect evidence-based research which builds on existing scholarship to present compelling, new findings. Additionally, even though The Library Quarterly appeals to a broad scope of readers, authors should avoid making sweeping assumptions about any particular group. Similarly, due to the journal’s focus on quality research, authorial opinion should be omitted in most pieces. Even book reviews should use objective facts to frame the author’s opinion.
Last updated: March 7, 2018
Comments are closed.