Wiki Tags Archives: Accessibility

Society of American Archivists (SAA)

Publisher analysis


About the publisher

Name: Society of American Archivists

Website: https://saa.archivists.org/

Purpose, objective, or mission: “Founded in 1936, the Society of American Archivists is North America’s oldest and largest national professional association dedicated to the needs and interests of archives and archivists.” 1

Their Mission Statement is “SAA is a vital community that promotes the value and diversity of archives and archivists and serves as the preeminent resource for the profession.” 2

Their Vision Statement is “The Society of American Archivists empowers archivists to achieve professional excellence and foster innovation to ensure the identification, preservation, understanding, and use of records of enduring value.” 3

“The goal of the SAA book publishing program is to provide print and digital resources that serve the needs of members and the archives profession, are of consistently high quality, fill gaps in the professional literature (rather than duplicate existing resources), and
nurture new and veteran voices.”4

Target audience: Students and professional archivists in North America.

Owner: Society of American Archivists. 5

Are published books peer reviewed? Yes. 6

Types of books published: Guides and guidelines, reference books, book series, essay collections.

Medium: Print and digital.

Topics covered: Trends in archiving practices, ethics, case studies, contemporary issues pertaining to archives, archivists, and allied professions.

Number of titles published per year: An exact number is unknown, but SAA has published over 150 books since the 1970s.7

About the publisher’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://www2.archivists.org/publications/book-publishing/guidelinesforbookproposals

Types of submissions accepted: Book prospectus

Submission and review process: “To begin the process of producing a new publication, author(s) submit a prospectus to the Publications Editor, addressing the following:

  • the theme, purpose and scope of the publication;
  • the estimated format and length of the publication;
  • whether the topic and approach are better suited to print or online format
  • an annotated outline or table of contents;
  • the intended audience and the potential market;
  • the prospective value to the archival profession;
  • the relationship of the proposed publication to the literature in the field;
  • the possibility of co-sponsorship with another organization;
  • the possibility of outside financial support;
  • graphics and illustrations the publication might use;
  • co-authors or contributors in the case of an edited work; and
  • the anticipated schedule for preparation of the publication.” 8

“Proposers should be advised that they will be asked to submit a writing sample of 10–15 pages, in a style reflecting the audience and tone of the proposed publication. The editor can provide more specific advice as proposals are developed.” 9

“The Publications Editor reviews the prospectus and sends it to the Publications Board, Director of Publishing and, if necessary, subject specialists. Depending on the author’s writing experience, two or more sample chapters and a detailed table of contents may be requested.” 10

Editorial tone: Professional.

Style guide used: The Chicago Manual of Style.11

Conclusion: Evaluation of publisher’s potential for LIS authors

This publisher states in it’s goals that they wish to “nurture new and veteran voices” 12 so there is potential for LIS authors across a broad spectrum of experience to be selected for publishing. This publisher is interested in works that speak to the needs of the archival profession, that align with strategic goals and core organizational values of SAA, and that are not already heavily represented in their current publications catalogs (unless new perspective is found).

Publishing with SAA focuses primarily on the archiving field, so it may not be an appropriate avenue for all LIS authors. However, there is some crossover in resources and initiatives with allied professions (libraries, museums, and historians). For example, SAA publishes a few books that have broader audiences (i.e. Exhibits in Archives and Special Collections Libraries and Archives in Libraries: What Librarians and Archivists Need to Know to Work Together). They occasionally partner with other allied professional associations to develop resources, such as the American Library Association.

Audience analysis


About the publisher’s audience

Size: SAA has 6,200 members.13

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: SAA primarily serves archivists and students within North America.

Reader characteristics: Readers of SAA publications are archivist students or professionals with a working knowledge in the field. Currently featured titles on their online store, including A Matter of Facts: The Value of Evidence in an Information Age, and Engagement in the Digital Era,  indicate that many newly published SAA releases discuss contemporary issues in the field. 14

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers will have spectrum of experience and knowledge primarily in the field of archives. Readers may have less knowledge on other general LIS subject matter than readers of other LIS book publishers in the field.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

SAA’s website states that their publications are “largely driven by members. Members write articles, chapters and books which are then vetted by members on the Editorial Board and Publications Board, who strive to maintain SAA’s commitment to furthering best practices in the field.” 15 Potential authors can expect their publications to be read by professionals, and experts, in the field.

Last updated: April 25, 2021


References

Show 15 footnotes

  1. “Who We Are,” SAA.org, accessed April 25, 2021, https://www2.archivists.org/aboutsaa
  2. “Who We Are.”
  3. “Who We Are.”
  4. “Guidelines for Book Proposals,” SAA.org, accessed April 25, 2021, https://www2.archivists.org/publications/book-publishing/guidelinesforbookproposals
  5. “Who We Are.”
  6. “Book Publishing,” SAA.org, accessed April 25, 2021, https://www2.archivists.org/publications/book-publishing
  7. “Book Publishing.”
  8. “Guidelines for Book Proposals.”
  9. “Guidelines for Book Proposals.”
  10. “Guidelines for Book Proposals.”
  11. “Guidelines for Manuscript Submissions,” www.SAA.org, accessed March 2, 2018, https://www2.archivists.org/publications/book-publishing/guidelinesformanuscriptsubmissions
  12. “Guidelines for Book Proposals.”
  13. “Who We Are.”
  14. “Online Store,” SAA.org, accessed April 25, 2021, https://mysaa.archivists.org/nc__store?filter=All
  15. “Publications,” SAA.org, accessed February 27, 2018, https://www2.archivists.org/node/20534
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Rowman & Littlefield

Publisher analysis


About the publisher

Name: Rowman & Littlefield

Website: https://rowman.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: “Rowman & Littlefield is a leading independent publisher, with strengths in: Academic Publishing in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Publishing Government and Official Data, and Educational Publishing.” 1

Its range of subject areas include library and information services, linguistics, communication, education, psychology, sociology, among others. 2.

Target audience: Scholars, Instructors, and Professionals

Owner: Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group is an independent publishing group. 3 which also owns one of the largest book distributors in the United States, National Book Network (NBN). 4  The publishing group encompasses several imprints, including Lexington Books (specialized and scholarly research), and trade imprints such as Rowman & Littlefield Trade, AltaMira Press, Scarecrow Press and Sheed & Ward.

Are published books peer reviewed? Yes. Authors are asked to provide a list of four to seven potential peer reviewers when submitting a book proposal. 5

Types of books published: LIS-specific books run the gamut from primers and practical guides to both introductory and advanced textbooks.6

Medium: Titles are published simultaneously in print and e-book editions.7 Many books are supplemented with multimedia content.8

Topics covered: A range of disciplines across humanities and social sciences, government data, and education.9 LIS-specific topics cover management, archival studies, cataloging and classification, collection development, information technology, literacy instruction, and school librarianship. LIS series include The Practical Guides for Librarians, Library Technology Essentials, and Innovative Practices for Archives and Special Collections.10

Number of titles published per year: Approximately 1,500 academic, reference, professional, and trade books annually (all subjects).11

In 2020, Under the subject of Library and Information Services, Rowman & Littlefield published approximately 37 titles. 12

About the publisher’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://rowman.com/Page/RLAuthRes

Types of submissions accepted: Proposals. They must include a prospectus (book description), Annotated Table of Contents (including a paragraph describing each chapter), Curriculum Vitae/Resume, 1-2 sample chapters, list of 4-7 potential peer reviewers, and marketing platform. For complete proposal details, please see the Submission Guidelines.

Submission and review process: Proposals for publication should be submitted via email to the appropriate acquisitions editor. 13 “The publisher will acknowledge receipt of a proposal within two weeks, and aims to render a decision on acceptance within three months.” 14

Editorial tone: Professional and scholarly.

Style guide used: Chicago Manual of Style, 16th ed., and Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th ed., as style and spelling guides.  15

Conclusion: Evaluation of publisher’s potential for LIS authors

Authors include leading academics and respected practitioners. The publisher is well established in its subject areas, and maintains a presence at academic conferences. Rowman & Littlefield is a highly reputable publisher for LIS authors with a proposal for an academic or professional development topic.  “Our books for librarians, archivists, and other information professionals help them in their professional environment as they work to collect, organize, preserve, and make accessible information in all formats. Our books help practitioners and LIS students preparing to work in many types of organizations, including public, academic, special, and school libraries; archives; database providers; and other information centers.” 16

 

Audience analysis


About the publisher’s audience

Size (as measured by average number of copies per title published)A 2021 New Books in LIS catalog listed approximately 77 LIS titles geared toward students, professionals, and academics. 17

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Rowman & Littlefield is based in the United States, and titles are published in English. Authors are experts and scholars based mostly in the U.S., UK, and Canada, and this may be reflected in the content of material. However, as Rowman & Littlefield is an international publisher, books are available to a worldwide audience.18

Reader characteristics: Readers have varying backgrounds within LIS, from management to technology, to instruction and research. Rowman & Littlefield texts are typically used in graduate and professional development courses, though many titles may be of interest to non-LIS readers.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers are students, academics, and professionals with a strong knowledge of or strong interest in LIS subject matter.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

With diverse backgrounds, skills, professional duties, and interests, readers are likely seeking specialized LIS knowledge or best practices. Material is theoretical and practical, and provides professional learning for the LIS community.

Last updated: March 24, 2021


References

Show 18 footnotes

  1. “About,” Rowman.com, accessed March 24, 2021, https://rowman.com/Page/About
  2. “Subjects,” Rowman.com, accessed February 2, 2018, https://rowman.com/SubjectsMain
  3. “Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, PublishersGlobal.com, accessed February 2, 2018, http://www.publishersglobal.com/directory/publisher-profile/6304/
  4. “About.”
  5. “Submission Guidelines,” Rowman.com, accessed February 2, 2018, https://rowman.com/Page/RLAuthRes
  6. “Library Services,” Rowman.com, accessed February 2, 2018, http://rowman.com/Page/Library-Services
  7. “About.”
  8. “Library Services.”
  9. “About.”
  10. “Library Services.”
  11. “Publisher Details,” NetGalley.com, accessed February 2, 2018, https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/publisher/29645
  12. “LIS Catalog,” Rowman.com, accessed March 24, 2021, https://rowman.com/Subjects?L1=Library-and-Information-Services&L1ID=25
  13. “Editors,” Rowman.com, accessed February 2, 2018, http://rowman.com/Page/RLPGAE
  14. “Submission Guidelines.”
  15. “Manuscript Preparation Guide,” Rowman.com, accessed March 24, 2021, https://rowman.com/WebDocs/R&L%20Manuscript%20Prep%20Guide.pdf
  16. “Library Services.”
  17. “eCatalogs,” Rowman.com, accessed March 24, 2021, https://rowman.com/Page/eCatalogs
  18. “About.”
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Library Juice Press

Publisher analysis


About the publisher

Name: Library Juice Press

Website: http://libraryjuicepress.com

Purpose, objective, or mission: Library Juice Press is an imprint of Litwin Books, “specializing in theoretical and practical issues in librarianship from a critical perspective, for an audience of professional librarians and students of library science.” They publish topics such as “library philosophy, information policy, library activism, and in general anything that can be placed under the rubric of ‘critical studies in librarianship.'”1

Target audience: Professional librarians and students of library science. 2

Owner: Litwin Books, LLC. 3

Are published books peer reviewed? “Our book publishing does not currently have a peer review process in place.” 4

Types of books published: LIS-specific books and manuscripts. 

Medium: Print.

Topics covered: Library philosophy, information policy, library activism, and any topics under the rubric of “critical studies in librarianship.” 5

Number of titles published per year: In 2020, Library Juice Press published four titles. 6

Location of submission guidelines: https://litwinbooks.com/authors/

About the publisher’s submission guidelines

Types of submissions accepted: The publisher accepts book proposals and full manuscripts on topics that are within its editorial scope.7 

Submission and review process:

If you would like to submit a manuscript, email it as an attached MS Word or RTF file using the appropriate email address below. Please follow the Litwin Books Submission Guidelines in formatting your manuscript. Please also attach 1) your CV, and 2) a separate document stating the intended audience and purpose of the book.

Book proposals should include the following:

  • The title of the proposed book
  • An outline
  • A list of already-published materials that you plan to include
  • Proposed deadline for submission of the final manuscript
  • A description of the book of between 100 and 500 words, stating the book’s subject matter, intended audience, intended purpose, and approach to the topic
  • A description of other works already published on the same topic that yours will be competing with.
  • A list of your prior publications
  • A relevant writing sample
  • Your CV8

Please send general book proposal submissions to inquiries@litwinbooks.com.

For book proposal submissions for the Series on Gender and Sexuality in Information Studies, contact series editor Emily Drabinski, at edrabinski@gc.cuny.edu.

For book proposal submissions for the Series on Critical Book, Publishing, and Literacy Studies, contact series editor Robert Montoya, at montoya@gseis.ucla.edu

For book proposal submissions for the Series on Archives, Archivists and Society, contact series editor Richard J. Cox, at rjcox111@comcast.net.

For book proposal submissions for the Series on Critical Race Studies and Multiculturalism in LIS, contact series editors Rose L. Chou, at roselovechou@gmail.com or Annie Pho, at anniepho@gmail.com.

For book proposal submissions for the Series on Critical Information Organization in LIS, contact series editors Violet Fox and Kelsey George at CritCat.InclusiveMetadata@gmail.com.

Editorial tone: Academic and professional.

Style guide used: “We do not require the use of a specific style guide. We do require that your chosen style is consistently and correctly applied throughout the work, whether a single authored work or an edited volume.” 9

Conclusion: Evaluation of publisher’s potential for LIS authors

Library Juice Press titles focus on theoretical investigations into library activism, social justice, feminist pedagogy, as well as practically oriented books like So You Want to Be a Librarian. The publisher produces serious, in-depth works with alternative perspectives. “Our independence from larger institutions gives us the freedom to offer critical perspectives that cut against the grain, as well as occasionally to give a scholar free rein with a work that is outside their usual publishing stream.” 10

A related and worthwhile opportunity to submit writing that is not book-length is Library Juice’s annual paper contest (2,000 to 10,000 words), which is designed “to encourage and reward good work in the field of library and information studies, humanistically understood, through a monetary award and public recognition.”11 The contest is open to librarians, library students, academics, and others. “Acceptable paper topics cover the full range of topics in the field of library and information studies, loosely defined. Any type of paper may be entered as long as it is not a report of an empirical study. Examples of accepted forms would be literature review essays, analytical essays, historical papers, and personal essays. The work may include some informal primary research, but may not essentially be the report of a study.”12

 

Audience analysis


About the publisher’s audience

Size (as measured by average number of copies per title published): Publishing since 2006, Library Juice Press has approximately 60 published titles. 13

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: While the publisher is based in California and books are published in English, recent Library Juice Press titles focus on international perspectives—i.e., academic librarian labor activism in Canada, and librarianship in the context of the Cuban revolution.

Reader characteristics: Readers are interested in content that addresses: social responsibility; information as a public good; intellectual freedom and civil liberties; print culture, web culture, visual culture, and the meaning of literacy; information policy and ethics; and the state of the library profession (issues of identity, work life, and de-professionalization).

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers are professional librarians and students of library science who likely have a very strong knowledge of or strong interest in specific LIS subject areas.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Library Juice Press originated as a webzine and blog, covering “topics of interest to passionate librarians from a political left perspective that is linked to the fundamental values of the profession.” LIS authors seeking to publish works that are politically oriented or rooted outside the cultural mainstream may potentially find an audience through Library Juice Press.

Last updated: March 1, 2021


References

Show 13 footnotes

  1. “About Us,” Litwin Books, LLC, accessed March 1, 2021, http://litwinbooks.com/about.php.
  2. “About Us.”
  3. “About Us.”
  4. “Policies,” Litwin Books, LLC, accessed March 1, 2021,  https://litwinbooks.com/our-policies/
  5. “About Us.”
  6. “Books,” Litwin Books, LLC, accessed March 1, 2021, https://litwinbooks.com/publisher/ljp/
  7. “Authors,” Litwin Books, LLC, accessed March 1, 2021, https://litwinbooks.com/authors/
  8. “Authors.”
  9. “Submission Guidelines,” Litwin Books, LLC, accessed March 1, 2021, https://litwinbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Litwin-Books-Submission-Guidelines-version-2.0.pdf
  10. “About Us.”
  11. “Library Juice Annual Paper Contest,” Litwin Books, LLC, accessed September 15, 2015, https://litwinbooks.com/grants-and-awards/paper-contest/
  12. “Library Juice Annual Paper Contest.”
  13. “Books.”
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Libraries Unlimited

Publisher analysis


About the publisher

Name: Libraries Unlimited

Website: https://products.abc-clio.com/LibrariesUnlimited.aspx

Purpose, objective, or mission: “Libraries Unlimited is committed to supporting the life-long professional development of educators and librarians through every phase of their careers. By librarians, for librarians, Libraries Unlimited believes in cultivating a community where professionals can explore emerging directions and acquire new skills to make your library’s potential truly unlimited.” 1

Target audience: LIS students and professionals.

Owner: ABC-CLIO, LLC. 2

Are published books peer reviewed?  Yes. Libraries Unlimited features an editorial team of ten award winning industry professionals.3

Types of books published: Textbooks, reference works, practical handbooks and professional guides. 4

Medium:  Print and electronic.

Topics covered: Topics are wide ranging—from librarianship philosophy and values to informatics to folklore.

Number of titles published per year: 150 titles were published in 2020, and there are more than 2,000 currently available in both print and electronic formats. 5

About the publisher’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines:  https://www.abc-clio.com/lu-authors/

Types of submissions accepted: Textbooks, reference works, practical handbooks and professional guides.

Submission and review process: 

Before sending your proposal, please email our acquisitions editors to review your ideas. Please provide the following information:

  • Working title
  • Purpose statement: explain the intent of the work, who it is for, and why it is needed
  • Scope statement: describe the work’s specific areas of coverage
  • Objectives: identify the benefits readers will derive from the work
  • Methodology: explain how you will research or compose the work
  • Tentative outline: show how the work will be organized
  • Competition or related works: identify similar titles and how your work will differ
  • Approximate length (in pages or words)
  • Résumé or bio statement: describe why you are qualified to write this book


NOTE:
 Our sample proposal template may help you prepare your materials. Click here to download the Libraries Unlimited proposal memo template.6

Please do not send your proposal to more than one editor. You may send a proposal by email to any of the editors below:

School Library Books
Sharon Coatney, scoatney@abc-clio.com

Public and Academic Library Books
Jessica Gribble, jgribble@abc-clio.com

Digital Publishing and General Inquiries
David Paige, dpaige@abc-clio.com

Libraries Unlimited has a dedicated team of experienced editors with years in the publishing field. An exact review process is unknown, but if your proposal is approved, editors will be with you every step of the way as your proposal becomes a manuscript and, in turn, a book.7

Editorial tone: Professional.

Style guide used: Unknown.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publisher’s potential for LIS authors

Libraries Unlimited may be a good fit for potential authors who have written extensively and have been published before. LU publishes longer works, such as reference books and textbooks, so they may be a good outlet for authors with heftier projects in the works.

 

Audience analysis


About the publisher’s audience

Size (as measured by average number of copies per title published)Libraries Unlimited is a larger publishing house, with over 2,000 titles currently available.8

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Readers of Libraries Unlimited texts are English speakers, primarily in the United States.

Reader characteristics: Considering the company motto is “For librarians, by librarians”, it can be assumed that readers are LIS students and professionals with a working knowledge in the field. They will interested in any and all subject fields related to LIS.  “Libraries Unlimited’s standing as a publisher in library and information science is unmatched. From our preeminent LIS textbook line, to cutting-edge professional development books for practitioners and classic library reference tools, our books and authors are leaders in the field.” 9

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Strong.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Readers of Libraries Unlimited texts are looking to learn about cutting edge trends and acquire new skills, so potential authors with relevant new research and book ideas may find a good fit with this publisher.

Last updated: March 1, 2021


References

Show 9 footnotes

  1. “Home,” ABC-CLIO.com, accessed March 1, 2021, https://products.abc-clio.com/LibrariesUnlimited.aspx
  2. “About,” ABC-CLIO.com, accessed March 1, 2021, https://products.abc-clio.com/LibrariesUnlimited/About/AboutLU.aspx
  3. “About.”
  4. “About.”
  5. “Product Search,” ABC-CLIO.com, accessed March 1, 2021, https://products.abc-clio.com/ABC-CLIOCorporate/SearchResults.aspx
  6. “Authors,” ABC-CLIO.com, accessed March 1, 2021, https://www.abc-clio.com/lu-authors/
  7. “Authors.”
  8. “Product Search.”
  9. “Authors.”
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The Chronicle of Higher Education

Publication analysis


About the publication

Title: The Chronicle of Higher Education

ISSN: 0009-5982(Print) and 1931-1362 (Online)1

Website: http://chronicle.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: “The Chronicle of Higher Education has the nation’s largest newsroom dedicated to covering colleges and universities. As the unrivaled leader in higher education journalism, we serve our readers with indispensable real-time news and deep insights, plus the essential tools, career opportunities, and knowledge to succeed in a rapidly changing world.” 2

“Higher-ed professionals rely on The Chronicle for unbiased, engaging content to help their students, institutions, and careers.”  3

Target audience: Higher education faculty and administration.4

Publisher: Chronicle of Higher Education, Inc.5

Peer reviewed? No. 6

Type: Civilian; though it does sometimes carry articles of interest to or authored by librarians, it is mainly for the general administration and faculty. 7

Medium: Print and online.8

Content: The website contains news, featured stories, opinion pieces, advice columns, job listings, and career-building tools such as online CV management and salary databases. The print magazine includes news, jobs, and The Chronicle Review. 9

The Chronicle Review is a weekly magazine of ideas. We publish essays, review essays, book reviews, and reporting on academic, intellectual, and cultural affairs. 10

Frequency of publication: The Chronicle updates its website daily and is available bi-weekly in print. 11

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://www.chronicle.com/page/contact-us

Types of contributions accepted: The Chronicle welcomes correspondence, manuscripts, and proposals for articles from our readers. Articles and letters may appear in our print edition, our website, or both. We publish essays, review essays, book reviews, and reporting on academic, intellectual, and cultural affairs. We consider unsolicited submissions; however, please read The Review before submitting your work to familiarize yourself with what we publish. 12

Commentary and Views:
“We consider articles or proposals for articles that express an opinion on issues and policies affecting higher education as well as those that explore, through the author’s personal experience, some aspect of the larger academic community. All Commentary and Views submissions should be 1,000 to 1,200 words and should contain URL links to source material for facts and figures mentioned in the essay.” 13

Advice
“We publish first-person and advice columns on topics including the job market and the hiring process in academe; the graduate-school experience, tenure and promotion, the administrative career path, and career options for Ph.D.’s; professional challenges in research, publishing, teaching, and service work; academic culture; and balancing work and family. Essays should be 1,000 to 1,500 words and written in a conversational, journalistic style.” 14

Letters
“Please make your points as concisely as possible. We will not publish letters longer than 350 words, and all letters will be edited to conform to our style.” 15

“The Chronicle welcomes news pitches that pertain to higher education, but note that in a typical week, our reporting staff receives hundreds of them. We’re writing for a national audience, so a successful pitch will not only point out a compelling local story, but will also be relevant to administrators, professors, and higher-education observers across the country.” 16

Submission and review process: The decision to accept or reject a manuscript rarely takes more than a week. All accepted essays and articles are rigorously edited and fact-checked. Authors have the opportunity to review and approve a manuscript before it’s published. The editors of The Review will decide where and when the piece is published, with some articles appearing only online.17

Editorial tone: Journalistic and conversational.

Style guide used: None specified. “While we cover the academy, we are not a scholarly journal. Essays should be written in a clear, informal style free of jargon and accessible to nonspecialists.” 18

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

Because of the publication frequency and the audience that this newspaper serves, this is a good place for the new author to publish. You don’t necessarily have to work in academe, but it helps. Academic librarians, along with information professionals with an interest in education or pedagogy, would be welcomed here. This publication is an informal counterpart to academic journals, a sort of cocktail hour where academics can mull over or vent about relevant issues within and outside of their field. Interested authors will be intelligent, educated and independent thinkers with something interesting to say.

Also, the wide variety of pieces found in the The Chronicle makes it very easy to find something to write about that, if written in a clear prose style, has a decent chance of being published. Book reviews are a natural, but the longer commentary pieces on some topical tempest occurring in the academy are always a good bet. Because so many write under pen names, the odds of a new author being accepted seem high.

Because of its eclectic content, others working in academe will also find something interesting in The Chronicle of Higher Education. While this publication is definitely written for those with careers in higher education, LIS authors with an interest in teaching will find something of interest here as well.

Audience analysis


About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: “Our award-winning journalism is well-known at colleges and universities: More than 2 million people visit our website every month, and 1,650 organizations across the country make our journalism available to every one of their employees and students.”19

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Though The Chronicle claims to be the main source of the goings on in higher education, it does tend to concentrate on the English-speaking world of the United States and sometimes Canada and the United Kingdom.20

Reader characteristics: According to The Chronicle’s advertising materials, “86% of readers are decision makers and influencers at their institutions. 54% are in senior leadership positions at their institutions. 92% hold a master’s degree or higher. 60% have a doctorate degree. Readership includes 90% of the buying power in all of U.S. higher education and 90% of the top 300 research institutions in the U.S.” 21

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: While the readership may garnish accolades in the higher education arena, they may still lack knowledge in LIS jargon, processes, and trends/innovations.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

The readers are well educated and very interested in their profession and the culture of academe as a whole. Writing for The Chronicle would be an excellent way to increase understanding of library issues (such as information literacy) and market the library’s relevance to other professions. Intellectual and academic freedom, new issues in purchasing and providing content such as e-journals, information literacy, and services to disadvantaged groups would be other issues that would resonate with this readership.

An LIS professional writing for this audience would not have much additional work to do, so long as he or she has something interesting and informed to write about. While this is not the place for scholarly work, readers do enjoy learning about new research or reading critiques of articles they’ve read in an entertaining format. They want to read shop talk, stay informed in their field, and feel connected to issues in the larger world.

This would be a good place to write an opinion piece about an LIS issue that touches on education, society or academe, or review a work that touches on these same issues. Todd Gilman, Librarian for Literature in English at Yale University and a Lecturer at San Jose State University, has published articles about distance education, special collections, research skills and information literacy, and other topics that connect libraries and academe in The Chronicle.

Last updated: November 7, 2020


References

Show 21 footnotes

  1.  The Chronicle of Higher Education, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed November 7, 2020, http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/search/1601911248
  2. “About Us.”, www.chronicle.com, accessed November 7, 2020, https://www.chronicle.com/page/about-us/
  3. “Advertising.”, chronicle.com, accessed November 7, 2020, https://marketingsolutions.chronicle.com/
  4. “About Us.”
  5. “About Us.”
  6. “Contact Us.”, Chronicle.com, accessed November 7, 2020, https://www.chronicle.com/page/contact-us
  7. “About Us.”
  8. “About Us.”
  9. “About Us.”
  10. “Contact Us.”
  11. “About Us.”
  12. “Contact Us.”
  13. “Contact Us.”
  14. “Contact Us.”
  15. “Contact Us.”
  16. “Contact Us.”
  17. “Contact Us.”
  18. “Contact Us.”
  19. “About Us.”
  20. “About Us.”
  21. “Advertising.”
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The Christian Science Monitor

Publication analysis


About the publication

Title: The Christian Science Monitor

ISSN: 2166-32621

Website: http://www.csmonitor.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: An independent international news organization, the aim of which is to “embrace the human family, shedding light with the conviction that understanding the world’s problems and possibilities moves us towards solutions.”2 Though owned by the Christian Science church, the Monitor purports to be secular in its reporting save for one “clearly labeled religious article” published each weekday.3

“We want to help you to see news events as starting points for constructive conversations. We seek to cut through the froth of the political spin cycle to underlying truths and values. We want to be so focused on progress that together we can provide a credible and constructive counter-narrative to the hopelessness-, anger-, and fear-inducing brand of discourse that is so pervasive in the news.” 4

“We are not about promoting any specific set of policies, actions or ideologies. The founder of the Monitor was convinced that what reaches and affects thought ultimately shapes experiences and moves our world forward. News, therefore, should be thought-provoking, trustworthy, and engaging.” 5

Target audience: General public. “The Monitor assumes its readers are people who care, who want to care, regardless of their religious or political mindset.”6

Publisher: The First Church of Christ, Scientist.7

Peer reviewed? No.8

Type: Civilian publication.

Medium: We deliver global news via our website and mobile site, daily editionweekly print magazine, and free newsletters.”9

Content: Independent national and international news, articles, book reviews, op-eds, essays, and letters to the editor.10

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://www.csmonitor.com/About/Contributor-guidelines

Types of contributions accepted: The Monitor accepts articles on national and international news, personal essays, short poems, book reviews,  letters to the Editor, and articles on People Making a Difference. 11

Here are some details about some of the contributions:

International News Contributor Guidelines: Departments include Europe/Baltics/Russia, Asia and Africa, Middle East, and Latin America. 12

“We are interested in a variety of pieces, from 500-word news stories to longer news analysis and news feature pieces for our weekly magazine. We want stories to cover the ‘who, what, when, where, why’ but we expect stories to focus on the ‘why.’ The goal here is to either explain the broader meaning of an event or to explain what’s at stake. We are particularly interested in understanding the ways of thinking or perspectives that are driving your story.” 13

National News Contributor Guidelines: Departments include U.S. Regional News, Justice, and Religion, US Politics, Economy, Education and Culture, and Science/Technology/Environment. 14

“We’re interested in stories of national import from all over the country. We want to stay on top of what is in the news – and in public thought – as much as possible, but there’s also an opportunity for news features with a sense of place. Regardless of the setting or situation, though, we look for history and an eye for detail that show what makes peoples and places the way they are, influencing events.” 15

The Home Forum:

“The Home Forum is looking for upbeat, personal essays from 400 to 800 words. We also welcome short poems. All material must be original and previously unpublished. For seasonal material, be aware that if you submit something that is about a particular month, holiday, event (back to school, graduation), or season, we need to receive it a minimum of six weeks ahead. We accept essays on a wide variety of subjects, and encourage timely, newsy topics. However, we don’t deal with the topics of death, aging and disease.” 16

A Christian Science Perspective:

“This is the column where the theology and practice of Christian Science are discussed in articles that respond to events in the news as well as those that address everyday issues such as companionship, comfort, home, work, relationships, the healing of physical ailments, and dealing with difficult financial times.” 17

People Making a Difference:

“We’re interested in stories about people who are making a positive difference all over the world, working on solutions to problems from hunger and education to the rights of people with disabilities. These profiles, approximately 1,200 words in length, should include an in-depth, in-person interview with the subject. We’ll also want to learn why the individual is so passionate about his or her work as well as gain an understanding of the problem he or she is trying to solve.” 18

Submission and review process: Submissions are welcomed on a continual basis. The Monitor website asks that articles be targeted to their specific departments and guidelines be followed based on the specific section’s editorial teams.  Editors attempt to respond to submissions quickly but are often inundated. If your article is time sensitive please call this to the attention of the editor.  19

Editorial tone: Journalistic to conversational.

Style guide used: None specified.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

Due to the clear contributor guidelines, the volume of freelance work they consume, and the forward approach to covering the world’s news, the Monitor is a promising publication to consider when writing about libraries for the general public. They often cover issues of interest to information professionals and concerning information access. Past articles include a report on a library being created in a small village in Vietnam, the limits being placed on library e-books, Google Books, and membership libraries. The most recent article published in 2020, Pandemic pen pals: How Colombian libraries lift spirits, discusses how libraries are providing services in the wake of COVID-19.

 

Audience analysis


About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: approximately 50,000 subscribers.20

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The majority of readership is located in the US, although content covers international news so some international readership is likely.

Reader characteristicsThe Monitor attracts both readers with religious affiliations and those who do not. Their audience includes, “anyone who cares about the progress of the human endeavor around the world and seeks news reported with compassion, intelligence, and an essentially constructive lens.” 21

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Range would include professionals, but your audience would most likely be individuals who do not understand LIS subject matter and field jargon.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

The readers of the Monitor, in reviewing the articles of the publication, appear to be educated, open-minded and well-read. This is the same audience that often supports and recognizes the value of libraries, making this a potentially place to promote libraries, the work they do, and the challenges they face within communities around the world. Readers of this publication are looking for stories that tie into national and global perspectives, including social, cultural, economical, and environmental issues, all of which have context within the field of LIS.

Last updated: September 20, 2020


References

Show 21 footnotes

  1.  The Christian Science Monitor Weekly, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed March 23, 2018, http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1521861905741/151842
  2. “About.”, CSMonitor.com, accessed September 17, 2016, https://www.csmonitor.com/About
  3. “About.”
  4. “About.”
  5. “About.”
  6. “About.”
  7. “About.”
  8. “Contributor’s guidelines.”, CSMonitor.com, accessed September 17, 2016, http://www.csmonitor.com/About/Contributor-guidelines
  9. “About.”
  10. “Contributor’s guidelines.”
  11. “Contributor’s guidelines.”
  12. “International News.”, CSMonitor.com, Accessed September 19, 2020, https://www.csmonitor.com/About/Contributor-guidelines/Contributor-Guidelines-International-news
  13. “International News.”
  14. “National News.”, CSMonitor.com, Accessed September 19, 2020, https://www.csmonitor.com/About/Contributor-guidelines/Contributor-Guidelines-National-news
  15. “National News.”
  16. “The Home Forum.”, CSMonitor.com, Accessed September 19, 2020, https://www.csmonitor.com/About/Contributor-guidelines/Contributor-Guidelines-The-Home-Forum
  17. “Christian Science Perspective.”, CSMonitor.com, Accessed September 19, 2020, https://www.csmonitor.com/About/Contributor-guidelines/Contributor-Guidelines-A-Christian-Science-Perspective
  18. “People Making a Difference.”, CSMonitor.com, Accessed September 19, 2020, https://www.csmonitor.com/About/Contributor-guidelines/Contributor-Guidelines-People-Making-a-Difference
  19. “Contributor’s guidelines.”
  20. “The Christian Science Monitor.”, niemanlab.org, accessed September 17, 2018, http://www.niemanlab.org/encyclo/christian-science-monitor/
  21. “About.”
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Collection Management

 

Publication analysis


About the publication

Title: Collection Management

ISSN: 0146-2679 (Print) and 1545-2549 (Online)1

Website: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/aboutThisJournal?journalCode=wcol20

Purpose, objective, or mission: The website of Collection Management states that the publication “offers library professionals of all types crucial guidance in the fast-changing field of collection management, including the latest developments in sharing and providing access to resources, creating digital collections, preserving both traditional and digital library resources, applying technological developments to managing collections, training and developing staff, and managing and analyzing the administrative data associated with building collections, such as usage, licensing or rights, access, and financial issues.”2

Target audience: Librarians and information specialists working in access services, interlibrary loan, and special collections; library administrators and educators; archivists, curators, bibliographers, academics, students, and publishers who work with libraries.3

Publisher: Routledge/Taylor and Francis Group4

Peer reviewed? Yes5

Type: LIS scholarly6

Medium: Print and online7

Content: Collection Management covers topics on collection management, planning, allocation of resources, selection, and acquisitions, development of virtual collections, consortia, resource sharing, preservation, and other relevant topics8

Frequency of publication: Quarterly9

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?show=instructions&journalCode=wcol20

Types of contributions accepted: Per the publication website, “The journal welcomes articles that provide library professionals with crucial guidance about the latest developments in sharing and providing access to resources, creating digital collections, preserving both traditional and digital library resources, applying technological developments to managing collections, training and developing staff, and managing and analyzing the administrative data associated with building collections, such as usage, licensing or rights, access, and financial issues.”10

Submission and review process: Collection Management does not require initial queries or proposals; it accepts completed manuscripts. Using the ScholarOne Manuscript software, Taylor and Francis offers an extensive website, Authors Services, that provides guidance beyond the submission guidelines for this specific journal and is full of helpful information.11

Editorial tone: Scholarly, suitable for practitioners and academics in the LIS field.12

Style guide used: The Chicago Manual of Style, latest edition13 See the recommended reference guide here.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

Collection Management is an authoritative and credible LIS scholarly publication. This peer-reviewed journal publishes articles on collection development and related topics. With this in mind, potential authors may contribute articles on a broad variety of topics, from electronic resource acquisitions to recreational reading collections to book preservation. Authors need to be certain they submit work that contributes to the body of knowledge on collection management.

The journal is indexed/abstacted in De Gruyter Saur; IBZ; EBSCOhost; Academic Search Complete; CINAHL; H.W. Wilson; Library, Information science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA); MasterFILE Complete; RILM Abstracts of Music Literature; TOC Premier; Elsevier BV; Scopus; OCLC; ArticleFirst; Education Index; Electronic Collections Online; ProQuest; Aerospace Database; Civil Engineering Abstracts; Engineering Research Database; FRANCIS; LISA: Library & Information Science Abstracts; METADEX and VINITI RA.14

 

Audience analysis


About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Circulation information not available.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The journal is published in English in the United States, but has an international audience.15 The issues covered are of interest to librarians whether they are in United States, Taiwan, or Germany, with topics including how to manage collection development in a digital environment, selection versus censorship, and the use of circulation statistics and interlibrary loan data in collection management.16

Reader characteristics: Readers range from associate university librarians to assistant professors to electronic resources librarians. Often the audience will have earned several degrees: BA, MLS or MLIS, MA, and perhaps PhD. Readers often have supervisory functions with purchasing responsibility, either selecting or authorizing resources for purchase. Readers of Collection Management will most likely have several publications of their own in their portfolio and therefore expect to see well-thought-out and well-researched articles.17

The readers of Collection Management have the same professional interests in common, building their library collections in support of the research and teaching agendas of their parent institutions. They meet the challenge of changing technology, providing the latest publications, and staying within limited library budgets. Collection Management has well-researched theoretical and practical articles that help librarians of any rank succeed in their work. It explores “the future and emerging trends in the field and provides reviews of relevant books, technological resources, and software. This useful resource examines technological advances that help librarians manage and assess collections, such as electronic resource management modules, utilities that provide journal coverage data, and developments in the preservation of library materials.”18

Collection Management is geared towards librarians and information professionals who are interested in articles that help them understand how collection assessment tools and methods can help improve their overall resource management and planning for the future, including how to effectively use staff, facilities, and computing resources.19

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Collection Management is a peer-reviewed publication that focuses on collection development in college, university, and research libraries of all types. The main readers are librarians and information specialists working in access services, interlibrary loan, and special collections; library administrators and educators; archivists, curators, bibliographers, academics, students, and publishers who work with libraries. These readers have a strong background on LIS topics and issues. Not only will they understand library jargon, but they will expect to find it in articles written for this journal.20

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Prospective authors for Collection Management would do best to consider the education level of the audience and the journal’s reputation for addressing the challenges of their profession. Successful submissions will target current issues in collection management.

Last updated: May 11, 2020


References

Show 20 footnotes

  1.  Collection Management, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed May 11, 2020, http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1589243665332/67186
  2. “Aims and Scope,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed May 11, 2020, https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=wcol20
  3. “Aims and Scope,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed May 11, 2020, https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=wcol20
  4. Collection Management, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed May 11, 2020  http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1406239781093/67186
  5. Collection Management, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed May 11, 2020 http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1406239781093/67186
  6. Collection Management, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed May 11, 2020 http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1406239781093/67186
  7. “Subscribe,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed May 11, 2020,  http://www.tandfonline.com/pricing/journal/wcol20
  8. “Aims and Scope,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed May 11, 2020, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=wcol20#.U9GEgrFiND4
  9. Collection Management, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed May 11, 2020, http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1406239781093/67186
  10. “Instructions for Authors,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed May 11, 2020, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?journalCode=wcol20&page=instructions#.U9GEZ7FiND4
  11. “Instructions for Authors,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed May 11, 2020, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?journalCode=wcol20&page=instructions#.U9GEZ7FiND4
  12. “Instructions for Authors,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed May 11, 2020, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?journalCode=wcol20&page=instructions#.U9GEZ7FiND4
  13. “Instructions for Authors,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed March 24, 2017, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?journalCode=wcol20&page=instructions#.U9GEZ7FiND4
  14. “Journal Information,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed May 11, 2020, https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=wcol20
  15. Collection Management, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed May 11, 2020, http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1406239781093/67186
  16. “List of Issues,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed May 11, 2020, http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wcol20#.U9GEeLFiND4
  17. “Aims and Scope,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed May 11, 2020, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=wcol20#.U9GEgrFiND4
  18. “Aims and Scope,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed May 11, 2020, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=wcol20#.U9GEgrFiND4
  19. “Aims and Scope,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed May 11, 2020, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=wcol20#.U9GEgrFiND4
  20. “Aims and Scope,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed May 11, 2020, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=wcol20#.U9GEgrFiND4
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Library Hi Tech News

Publication analysis


About the publication

Title: Library Hi Tech News

ISSN: 0741-90581

Website: http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=lhtn

Purpose, objective, or mission: “The journal reports on practical uses of IT in libraries and what’s coming next in terms of technology development for academic and public libraries.”2

Target audience: Library and information science professionals, and anyone with a reason to use LIS services/technologies in their own professional workplace. 3

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.4

Peer reviewed? No.5

Type: LIS Professional and Trade Publications.

Medium: Online.

Content: Articles of varying lengths, reporting on LIS conferences, and case studies on how tech is used in the library.6

Regular content includes technology profiles from libraries around the world; feature articles; in-depth conference reviews and reports; new and noteworthy updates for librarians; and a calendar of relevant upcoming events.7

Frequency of publication: 10 issues per year.8

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/lhtn?id=lhtn#author-guidelines

Types of contributions accepted: Extensive list found under Article Classification9

Submission and review process: Submissions are made through ScholarOne Manuscripts, an online submission system. You need to register, create your account, and then will be able to go through the submission process to upload your article. Upload files as a Word document of 1000-3000 words. All submissions are reviewed by the Library Hi Tech News editors, who make the final decision on publication.10

Editorial tone: Informal, but informative. Speaks to readers in a knowledgeable, conversational tone that provides great information on new technologies without making the articles dull or so technical that readers are overwhelmed or tune out.11

Style guide used: Harvard style formatting.12

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

The list of content submissions is vast and touches on a variety of LIS subjects. This is an excellent place to start your LIS publishing.13

Library Hi Tech News‘s editorial objectives note that “publishing your article in LHTN can be a “place to start,” analogous to a “poster session in print,” and does not preclude publishing a more fulsome piece in a peer-reviewed journal at a later date.”14 A peer-reviewed journal related to this newsletter is Library Hi Tech.

 

Audience analysis


About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Not available.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: International in scope, with the primary editors of the publication based out of U.S. colleges and universities.15 Submissions need to adhere to the Worldwide English language rights, and Emerald provides resources for making sure papers are written in grammatically correct standard English, for authors for whom English is not their first language.16

Reader characteristics: Published in the U.K., readers and writers for this publication are LIS professionals and students interested in new and emerging technologies, and new uses for established technologies. The journal is part of the Committee on Publication Ethics  (COPE), “a forum for editors and publishers of peer-reviewed journals to discuss publication ethics.”17

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Strong, as the publication is aimed at LIS professionals and students with an interest in LIS technologies.18

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors 

This is a wonderful publication for LIS new professionals and students, as readers and authors. The authors are seeking submissions covering such a variety of interesting topics, and seem to be open to submissions on anything that is even remotely related to technologies that can be used in libraries and the LIS field. All issues that most students, not just LIS, can speak to, and particularly relevant for those in LIS programs currently using and evaluating these technologies, personally, professionally, and through LIS studies. There are also more technical issues covered, like open source library management systems, global development for libraries, profiles of LIS professionals, and relevant conference updates. A great place to jump in and write for.19

 


References

Show 19 footnotes

  1.  Library Hi Tech News, Emerald Group Publishing Ltd., accessed May 9, 2020, http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=lhtn
  2. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. (2020). Library High Tech News Information. Emerald Group Publishing. Retrieved from http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=lhtn
  3. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. (2020). Library High Tech News Information. Emerald Group Publishing. Retrieved from http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=lhtn
  4. ProQuest. (2020). Library Hi Tech News. Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory. Retrieved from http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1412892197249/339661
  5. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. (2020). Library High Tech News Information. Emerald Group Publishing. Retrieved from http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=lhtn
  6. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. (2020). Library High Tech News Information. Emerald Group Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/lhtn?id=lhtn#author-guidelines
  7. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. (2020). Library High Tech News Information. Emerald Group Publishing. Retrieved from http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=lhtn
  8. ProQuest. (2020). Library Hi Tech News. Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory. Retrieved from http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1412892197249/339661
  9. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. (2020). Author Guidelines. Emerald Group Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/lhtn?id=lhtn#author-guidelines
  10. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. (2020). Author Guidelines. Emerald Group Publishing. Retrieved from http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/author_guidelines.htm?id=lhtn
  11. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. (2020). Author Guidelines. Emerald Group Publishing. Retrieved from http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/author_guidelines.htm?id=lhtn
  12. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. (2020). Author Guidelines. Emerald Group Publishing. Retrieved from http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/author_guidelines.htm?id=lhtn
  13. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. (2020). Library High Tech News Information. Emerald Group Publishing. Retrieved from http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=lhtn
  14. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. (2016). Library High Tech News Information. Emerald Group Publishing. Retrieved from http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=lhtn
  15. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. (2020). Editorial Team. Emerald Group Publishing. Retrieved from http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/editorial_team.htm?id=lhtn
  16. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. (2020). Author Guidelines. Emerald Group Publishing. Retrieved from http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/author_guidelines.htm?id=lhtn
  17. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. (2020). Library High Tech News Information. Emerald Group Publishing. Retrieved from http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=lhtn
  18. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. (2020). Library High Tech News Information. Emerald Group Publishing. Retrieved from http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=lhtn
  19. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. (2020). Library High Tech News Information. Emerald Group Publishing. Retrieved from http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=lhtn
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Children and Libraries

 

Publication analysis


About the publication

Title: Children and Libraries

ISSN: 1542-9806 (Print) and 2374-7641 (Online)1

Website: http://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/cal

Purpose, objective, or mission: Per the publication website, “Children and Libraries (CAL) is the official, refereed journal of the Association for Library Service to Children. It primarily serves as a vehicle for continuing education of librarians working with children, and showcases current scholarly research and practice in library service to children and significant activities and initiatives of the Association.”2

Target audience: CAL is “read by librarians who work with children, birth to age fourteen, in public and school libraries.”3

Publisher: Association for Library Services to Children/American Library Association.4

Peer reviewed? Yes5

Type: Children and youth; LIS scholarly6

Medium: Print and online7

Content: Current scholarly research and practice in library service to children with highlights of significant activities and programs of the association8

Frequency of publication: Quarterly9

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/cal/author-guidelines

Types of contributions accepted: CAL publishes full-length scholarly research articles; “best practice” pieces on children’s programming (usually 1,500 words or less); and ends each issue with a brief feature by a children’s librarian, a light essay, humorous story, interview, or interview with a children’s author (up to 300 words). 10

Submission and review process: Submissions via email as Microsoft Word attachments are preferred. Manuscripts will be acknowledged upon receipt and scholarly articles will be evaluated by at least two referees. Authors of scholarly articles can expect the review process to take four to eight months.11

Editorial tone: Academic or informal, depending on the submission type.12

Style guide used: The Chicago Manual of Style.13

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

LIS professionals who are involved and interested in providing library services to children would benefit from submitting an article to this journal. Having an article published in Children and Libraries increases prestige for the author as the publication is distributed nationwide and in some foreign countries.

 

Audience analysis


About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Although exact circulation numbers are not available, Children and Libraries is delivered to members of the ALSC at a discounted rate and is a benefit of membership. In addition there are individual subscribers and copies distributed for marketing purposes.14 ALSC has a membership network of more than 4,000.15 Children and Libraries is also available online, with the four most recent issues available only to members but older issues open to all.16

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: As the official journal of the ALSC the audience of members extends to every state in the nation and to some foreign countries.17 ALSC is conscious of different cultures and is the national home of El día de los niños – El día de los libros (Children’s Day – Book Day) program. They have also developed the ALSC Every Child Ready to Read project, which aims to promote early literacy skills in children from birth to age five.18 These programs reflect the organization’s support for diversity and dedication to service to all children.

Reader characteristics: Readers of Children and Libraries are made up of children’s librarians, including school librarians, reading teachers, library directors, book reviewers, university professors, library support staff, and retired library professionals. Readers will be familiar with the fundamentals and values of school libraries, public libraries, and community programs that serve children. Readers can be expected to be LIS professionals and to have advanced degrees. Many may work in schools or in public libraries and deal directly with children. Readers have interests in children’s education, literacy programs, continuing education for library professionals, and collection development of children’s materials in schools and libraries.19

ALSC boasts a network of “more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, children’s literature experts, publishers, education and library school faculty members, and other adults committed to creating a better future for children through libraries.”20 These readers are dedicated to children around the country and promote practices that improve children’s library services. The ALSC supports equity of access and the continued development of multicultural, multilingual library staff.21 Cultural diversity is a value of the organization, evident in the various articles in CAL that cover service and programs to patrons of different ethnic backgrounds.22

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers can be expected to be familiar with LIS jargon and issues facing children and libraries. The readers of CAL have experience with current technologies and the latest trends in library services for children.23

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Readers are professionals who are concerned with issues pertaining to children and libraries. Readers work in school libraries, public libraries, or have contact with children. These professionals seek out literature that is specific to library service for children and this journal meets those needs. Readers wish to be informed of the latest trends, research involving children, literacy, and collection development in order to meet the needs of their young patrons. Writers interested in writing for this publication would be most successful addressing these needs.

Last updated: May 5, 2020


References

Show 23 footnotes

  1.  Children and Libraries, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed  May 5, 2020, http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/
  2. Children and Libraries: Journal of the ALSC,” Association for Library Services to Children, accessed May 5, 2020, http://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/cal
  3. Advertising in CAL,” Association for Library Services to Children, accessed May 5, 2020, http://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/cal/advertising
  4. Children and Libraries, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed May 5, 2020, http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1406601484375/483395
  5. Children and Libraries, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed May 5, 2020, http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1406601484375/483395
  6. Children and Libraries, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed May 5, 2020, http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1406601484375/483395
  7. Children and Libraries, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed May 5, 2020,  http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1406601484375/483395
  8. “Author Guidelines,” Association for Library Services to Children, accessed May 5, 2020, http://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/cal/author-guidelines
  9. Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed May 5, 2020, http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1406601484375/483395
  10. Author Guidelines,” Association for Library Services to Children, accessed May 5, 2020, http://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/cal/author-guidelines
  11. “CAL Author Guidelines,” Association for Library Services to Children, accessed May 5, 2020, http://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/cal/author-guidelines
  12. Author Guidelines,” Association for Library Services to Children, accessed May 5, 2020, http://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/cal/author-guidelines
  13. Author Guidelines,” Association for Library Services to Children, accessed May 5, 2020, http://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/cal/author-guidelines
  14.  Subscription Information,” Association for Library Services to Children, accessed May 5, 2020, http://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/cal/subscriptions
  15. “About ALSC,” Association for Library Services to Children, accessed May 5, 2020, http://www.ala.org/alsc/aboutalsc
  16. “Children and Libraries: The Journal of the Association for Library Services to Children,” Association for Library Services to Children, accessed May 5, 2020, http://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/cal
  17. “Subscription Information,” Association for Library Services to Children, accessed May 5, 2020,  http://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/cal/subscriptions
  18. “ALSC Initiatives,” Association for Library Services to Children, accessed May 5, 2020, http://www.ala.org/alsc/initiatives
  19. “About ALSC,” Association for Library Services to Children, Accessed May 5, 2020, http://www.ala.org/alsc/aboutalsc
  20. “About ALSC,” Association for Library Services to Children, accessed May 5, 2020, http://www.ala.org/alsc/aboutalsc
  21. “The Importance of Diversity in Library Programs and Material Collections for Children,” Association for Library Services to Children, accessed January 27, 2017, http://www.ala.org/alsc/sites/ala.org.alsc/files/content/ALSCwhitepaper_importance%20of%20diversity_with%20graphics_FINAL.pdf
  22. “Back Issues of Children and Libraries,” Association for Library Services to Children, accessed May 5, 2020, http://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/cal/back-issues
  23. “About ALSC,” Association for Library Services to Children, accessed May 5, 2020, http://www.ala.org/alsc/aboutalsc
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Against the Grain

Publication analysis


About the publication

Title: Against the Grain

ISSN: 1043-20941

Website: http://www.against-the-grain.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: From the website: Against the Grain “is your key to the latest news about libraries, publishers, book jobbers, and subscription agents. Our goal is to link publishers, vendors, and librarians by reporting on the issues, literature, and people that impact the world of books and journals. ”2

Target audience: Publishers; vendors of book, journal, and other scholarly materials; and library and information science professionals, particularly those interested in issues surrounding acquisitions, access, online platforms, publishers, and serials subscriptions.3“>https://against-the-grain.com/about/]

Publisher: Against the Grain.4

Peer reviewed? No. All feature presentations and special reports are refereed by at least two editors. Columns are refereed by the column editors only. A list of editors who review manuscript drafts and a proofreader for ATG is available here.5

Type: A hybrid scholarly journal and professional news magazine. While informative and based on professional practice and expertise, most submissions have an informal tone and lack extensive bibliographies, though some do provide endnotes.6

Medium: Print. ATG print subscribers can also be approved for a free online membership to access subscriber-only content on the ATG website.7 Free online access to archival content more than three years old is available at the Against the Grain Archives.8

Content: Articles. The ATG also accepts additional content like job postings and announcements.9

Frequency of publication: “Against the Grain is published six times a year, in February, April, June, September, November, and December/January; and the ATG NewsChannel website that is updated daily with the latest news, announcements, and online-only content.” 10

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://www.against-the-grain.com/submit-content/

Types of contributions accepted: Regular article contribution areas include features, interviews, reviews, legal issues, publishing, bookselling and vending, technology, and standards.11

Submission and review process: Contact Tom Gilson at gilsont@cofc.edu to submit an article for either online or print publication. Alternately, Katina Strauch (Editor), Tom Gilson (Editor, ATG Website), and Leah Hinds (Editor, ATG Website) can be contacted at editors@against-the-grain.com. Sample submission deadlines are listed on the content submission page.12

Editorial tone: There are no stated guidelines for the submitted articles’ tone,13 though most content is written in a clear, well-informed, but fairly informal style.14

Style guide used: ATG uses Turabian/Chicago Manual of Style format. Bibliographic citations, when included, are provided in endnotes and are not supplemented by a bibliography. Endnotes are indicated in-text by superscript Arabic numbers after the punctuation of the phrase or clause to which the note refers; endnote references are numbered in the same order that they are cited in the text.15

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

ATG will be a good fit for authors interested in writing shorter pieces exploring access, collection development, publishers, serials subscriptions, and online platforms.

 

Audience analysis


About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: ATG currently has over 2,000 print subscribers.  A readership survey indicated the average subscriber circulates each issue of Against the Grain to 4.6 colleagues, giving ATG a readership of well over 9,200.16 The Against the Grain Archives provides free online access to archival content more than three years old (1989 on) at the Against the Grain Archives.17 Access to more recent content is limited to subscribers.18

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: United States (editorial institutional affiliations).19 Written in American English.20

Reader characteristics: A typical reader would be interested in the interactions between libraries, publishers, book jobbers, and subscription services. They could work in a variety of library types, or in the larger publishing community.21 Typical readers will work in libraries or with publishers or jobbers, focusing on those who “impact the world of books and journals.”22 Readers will be looking for cutting-edge information about all things library.23

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers will be familiar with trends and patterns in acquisitions, access, and online platforms, along with distinctions between various publishers and third-party subscription content providers.24

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Against the Grain’s content is geared toward library and information science professionals who are interested in keeping up-to-date and informed about trends in libraries, publishing, and subscription services. Brief articles and case studies of a few pages, often with subheadings or bullet points, are recommended to focus the reader’s attention and to make content easy to digest.

 


References

Show 24 footnotes

  1. “About,” Against the Grain, LLC, accessed April 30, 2020, http://www.against-the-grain.com/about/
  2. Against the Grain. (2018). About. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com/about/
  3. Against the Grain. (2018). About. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com/
  4. Against the Grain. (2018). About. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com/about/
  5. Against the Grain. (2018). Home. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com/
  6. Against the Grain. (2018). Subscribe. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com/subscribe/
  7. Purdue University. (2018). Against the Grain Archives. Retrieved from http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/atg/
  8. Against the Grain. (2018). Submit Content. Against the Grain. Retrieved from https://against-the-grain.com/submit-content/
  9. Against the Grain. (2018). About. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com/about/
  10. Against the Grain. (2018). Home. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com/
  11. Against the Grain. (2018). Submit content. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com/submit-content/
  12. Against the Grain. (2018). Submit content. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com/submit-content/
  13. Against the Grain. (2014). Home. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com/
  14. L. Hinds, personal communication, July 2014
  15. L. Hinds, personal communication, July 2014
  16. Purdue University. (2018). Against the Grain Archives. Retrieved from http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/atg/
  17. Against the Grain. (2018). Submit content. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com/submit-content/
  18. Against the Grain. (2014). About. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com/about/
  19. Against the Grain. (2018). Home. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com
  20. Against the Grain. (2018). Home. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com
  21. Against the Grain. (2018). About. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com/about/
  22. Against the Grain. (2018). Home. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com
  23. Against the Grain. (2018). Home. Against the Grain. Retrieved from http://www.against-the-grain.com
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