Wiki Tags Archives: Archives

Archeota

By Erin Fussell on April 30, 2020 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Archeota

ISSN: N/A

Website: http://sjsusaasc.weebly.com/archeota.html

Purpose, objective, or mission: Archeota is the publication of the Society of American Archivists Student Chapter at the San Jose State University School of Information. This open source digital publication provides a platform for student voices, and is written by students for students. Archeota publishes original, substantive content on issues and events connected to the world of archives. Articles include profiles of iSchool students in recognition of outstanding achievements, student experiences working in archives, and think pieces related to archives on current events, controversial issues, pop culture, and other topics in the archival field.

The mission of the Society of American Archivists Student Chapter at the San Jose State University School of Information (SJSU SAASC) is to promote archival interests in the academic community, provide a platform for discussing archival issues, and to engage students in professional activities in order to enhance career development. The chapter serves its membership by organizing repository site visits, virtual panel discussions and webinars, providing networking opportunities, and inviting professional archivists to share knowledge about the field.¹

Target audience: SJSU SAASC members, and students in the MLIS program (particularly those pursuing the Archival Studies and Records Management career pathway) and the MARA (Master of Archives and Records Administration) program.²

Publisher: SJSU SAASC.³

Peer reviewed? No.

Type: LIS student publication.⁴

Medium: Online.

Content: The newsletter features editorial pieces by students in graduate archival studies and library science, interviews with practicing archivists, and insights from internship experiences. Students may also share relevant coursework or projects, as well as promote their blogs or other work.⁵

Frequency of publication: Biannually (twice per academic year, once during Spring semester and once during Fall semester).⁶

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://sjsusaasc.weebly.com/archeota.html

Types of contributions accepted: Think pieces on archives-related events and stories in the news; reflections or advice pieces based on first-hand experience, including jobs, internships, or volunteer work; interviews with practicing archivists; reports on SAASC events and site tours; reviews of archives-related media, such as podcast, blog, book, etc.⁷

Submission and review process: Contributors should be graduate students at San Jose State University School of Information. You can send an email with your proposal idea to sjsusaasc@gmail.com⁸

Editorial tone: The magazine-style publication is geared toward graduate students in the information profession interested in archives.

Style guide used: APA.⁹

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

Archeota presents an excellent opportunity for graduate students to publish original content and contribute to discourse in the archival field. The publication serves as a platform for student voices and promotes archival interests in the School of Information community at San Jose State University.¹⁰

Information edits provided by Kelli Roisman, SJSU SAASC Chair 2019/2020

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Archeota is an open-source digital publication.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations:

The audience of Archeota is primarily SJSU SAASC members, and also SJSU iSchool students. The SJSU School of Information is a 100% online program, therefore the student body is widely dispersed in the United States and internationally. The physical location of the university is San Jose, California. As an English-language graduate program, it can be assumed that readers have a strong grasp of the English language.

Reader characteristics: The readership comprises students enrolled in the SJSU School of Information’s MLIS and MARA programs. Readers are those who plan to work (or are already working) with archives and records within a range of settings: libraries, government, corporate, or nonprofit institutions. Potential career paths for students in these programs include archivists, digital archivists, digital asset managers, electronic records managers, digital project specialists, knowledge managers, and technical information specialists.¹¹ ¹²

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: As a publication targeted toward graduate students, knowledge of LIS subject matter may range from an emerging familiarity with archival theories and practices to more significant experience and specific knowledge of the field.

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

Archeota is produced by and published for students pursuing careers in archives and records, or those who simply have an interest in the field. Contributors have a good opportunity to share their practical experiences of what it’s like to work in a particular setting, professional projects and internships, and reflections, observations, and commentary on archival issues.

References

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Cataloging & Classification Quarterly

By Phyllis Pistorino on April 28, 2020 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Cataloging & Classification Quarterly

ISSN: 0163-9374 (Print) and 1544-4554 (Online)¹

Website: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/wccq20/current

Purpose, objective, or mission: Cataloging & Classification Quarterly is an international journal providing information and discussion on the subject of bibliographic organization. It addresses the theory and practice of cataloging and classification from a historic as well as a contemporary approach. “In a rapidly changing field, it seeks out and fosters new developments in the transition to new forms of bibliographic control and encourages the innovative and the nontraditional.”²

Target audience: “For library school faculty, it provides an outlet for research publication as well as source materials for students. For the cataloger, the journal provides both theoretical background and potential solutions to current problems. For the public services librarian, there are discussions of bibliographic records in actual use and of the importance of feedback from the user to the creator of cataloging systems. For the administrator, it explores the complex elements in the library organization.”³

Publisher: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group⁴

Peer reviewed? Yes⁵

Type: LIS scholarly⁶.

Medium: Print and online.⁷

Content: Cataloging & Classification Quarterly features articles that consider “…the full spectrum of creation, content, management, and use and usability of both bibliographic records and catalogs. This includes the principles, functions, and techniques of descriptive cataloging; the wide range of methods of subject analysis and classification; provision of access for all formats of materials; and policies, planning, and issues connected to the effective use of bibliographic records in modern society.”⁸ Besides introducing innovations in bibliographic control, the journal also discusses theoretical backgrounds and analysis of bibliographic organization.

Frequency of publication: Eight issues per year.⁹

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: Submitting your Paper

Types of contributions accepted: “Full-length research and review articles; descriptions of new programs and technology relevant to cataloging and classification, considered speculative articles on improved methods of bibliographic control for the future, and solicited book reviews.”¹⁰

Submission and review process: Authors should submit via ScholarOne Manuscripts after reviewing the submission instructions “¹¹

Editorial tone: Scholarly and professional. ¹²

Style guide used: Taylor & Francis Chicago US endnote-footnote style found here.¹³

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

Cataloging & Classification Quarterly is a highly specialized publication that provides relevant news, information, and analyses of and about recent trends in cataloging and classification as well as historical perspectives of experts in the field. This journal is a very useful resource for LIS professionals who deal with bibliographic organization and technical services in their institutions. Persons who are experts in the field, archivists, or other librarians, as well as students interested in writing classification-oriented research papers may submit their work for publication. Articles involving information organization or collection management are only a small part of the breadth of literature that may be written about cataloging and classification.

This journal is abstracted in De Gruyter Saur; IBZ; Academic Search Complete; H.W. Wilson; Inspec; Library & Information Science Source; MasterFILE Complete; TOC Premier; Elsevier BV; Scopus; OCLC; ArticleFirst; Ovid; Periodica Islamica; ProQuest; Aerospace Database; Civil Engineering Abstracts; Engineering Research Database; FRANCIS; LISA: Library & Information Science Abstracts; VINITI RAN; and Clarivate Analytics’ Emerging Sources Citation Index.¹⁴

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Information for updated publication circulation was not found, but looking at article views from recent issues showed significant exposure with most above 100 or 200 downloads over the past month, and historically high numbers of views from various articles dating from the early to mid 2010s, with some reaching near 8000 views.¹⁵

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Cataloging & Classification Quarterly may be purchased online from Taylor & Francis and is available worldwide.¹⁶ This is an American English publication and its primary readers reside in the United States. However, as evidenced by the diversity of its editorial board members based in different parts of the world, articles in the journal must also accessible to a international audience.¹⁷

Reader characteristics: No individual characteristics of the journal’s readers were available. Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory, however, describes its audience as, “academic; special adult.”¹⁸ Naturally, because Cataloging & Classification Quarterly is a highly specialized journal, its readers have similar interests in LIS topics and issues, particularly in bibliographic organization. The majority of subscribers are likely cataloging professionals and technical services librarians. As LIS professionals, subscribers of this journal likely support the development of cataloging and classification and have interests in other LIS issues.¹⁹

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers of this specialized journal are doubtless familiar with cataloging and classification, as well as other LIS issues. ²⁰

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

Cataloging & Classification Quarterly is a highly specialized journal that is geared towards the professional cataloger but is also of interest to LIS professionals or graduate students seeking knowledge of bibliographic organization trends or breakthroughs. Authors must keep in mind that these readers are most likely LIS professionals, graduates or students that are knowledgeable about issues in the field of cataloging and librarianship. They are looking for formal and scholarly articles pertaining to topics such as records description and access or classification systems used in special libraries. Research articles on such subjects are the most appropriate for this audience. The use of subheadings is recommended to focus the reader’s attention and show the author’s intention clearly.

Last updated: April 28, 2020

References

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The Bottom Line

By Phyllis Pistorino on April 27, 2020 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: The Bottom Line

ISSN: 0888-045X (Print) and 2054-1724 (Online)¹

Website: https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/0888-045X

Purpose, objective, or mission: Formerly a journal on library finances subject to editor review only, The Bottom Line has “broadened its scope to become an interdisciplinary journal . . . mainly focusing on the trading of information, information economics, and the business of information.”²

Target audience: The journal is “not only for library and information researchers, but also for micro-economists and education researchers, marketers and knowledge professionals in information organisations.”³

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing⁴

Peer reviewed? Yes⁵

Type: Academic/ Scholarly⁶

Medium: Online and print⁷

Content: “The Bottom Line publishes research and case studies on the financial and economic aspects of information and information practice, mainly focusing on the trading of information, information economics, and the business of information. Information is widely defined including, but not limited to: Records, Documents, Files, Learning objects, Visual and sound files, Data and metadata, and User-generated content.”⁸

Frequency of publication: Quarterly⁹

Open access: Hybrid¹⁰

Submission and review process: Submissions are made online using the submission and peer review system ScholarOne Manuscripts. Emerald Group Publishing has a support center offering guidance on using the system.¹¹.

Editorial tone: Scholarly¹²

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

This interdisciplinary journal has a target audience of LIS professionals as well as marketers in information organizations, the media, government employees, and health care professionals. LIS authors whose professional and research interests include the social or legal issues that arise when members of these disparate fields share information will find a venue for their work in The Bottom Line.¹³

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Circulation statistics are not available.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Emerald Group Publishing is located in West Yorkshire, England. Its journals are written in British English for a worldwide audience.¹⁴

Reader characteristics: Reader demographics are not available. The content is targeted at LIS professionals, micro-economists and education researchers, marketers and knowledge professionals in information organisations.¹⁵

Reader knowledge of LIS subject matter: Given the interdisciplinary nature of this journal, authors should assume a high level of education, but not necessarily in the LIS field.

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

Writers for The Bottom Line will impact a broad audience that extends beyond the LIS community to “micro-economists and education researchers, marketers and knowledge professionals in information organisations.”¹⁶ LIS authors whose work concerns information economics and how information is traded and monetized will reach a targeted audience through publication in this journal. For such authors, The Bottom Line offers an opportunity to add to the body of knowledge in the new cross-disciplinary field of information economics.

Last updated: April 27, 2020

References

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Ariadne: Web Magazine for Information Professionals

By Erin Fussell on March 8, 2020 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Ariadne: Web Magazine for Information Professionals

ISSN: 1361-3200¹

Purpose, objective, or mission: Ariadne is published by Loughborough University Library in the U.K. for Information Professionals to stay abreast of a wide variety of LIS topics. Initially, Ariadne was made available in electronic format by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC), in order “to create awareness of Internet developments in the UK higher education LIS community”. ² Website: http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/

Target audience: The target audience for Ariadne is librarians, museum curators, archivists and associated technical staff & managers. Articles should cover topics that will be of interest to one or more of these audiences. ³

Publisher: Loughborough University Library in the U.K. ⁴

Peer reviewed? No. The editor makes all decisions regarding manuscript submissions.⁵

Type: LIS professional news. Although Ariadne does publish some research-oriented content, it is not peer reviewed and it cannot be considered “scholarly.” ISSN is 1361-3200.⁶

Medium: Entirely online. Ariadne is free and open access, so the full text of all issues (current and archived) is available on the website. ⁷

Content: Ariadne publishes a variety of articles on current trends and issues in the LIS field. A standard issue contains an editorial, a number of articles including a feature article, news, and events. Prominent topics include emerging technologies and trends, digital libraries and collections, information architecture, search engines, metadata, and conference information. ⁸

Frequency of publication: Undefined. The magazine was published quarterly up through 2010; as of 2013 there are two issues per year. ⁹

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: Submission guidelines can be found on the Guidelines page. The publication’s website indicates to submit proposals the editor who will then correspond via email once an article proposal has been accepted. ¹⁰

Types of contributions accepted: Ariadne accepts a variety of contributions, including articles (i.e., scholarly papers, position pieces, and case studies), reviews, and reports on events, workshops, meetings, and conferences. The magazine also accepts proposals regarding organizations and work-related projects. There are no stated requirements for length.¹¹

Submission and review process: Ariadne requires an initial proposal for all articles. Authors should submit an abstract, outline, or general description to the editor prior to submission of the completed manuscript. After an agreement is reached, a date for submission is set and the editor then sends out an explanation of the editorial process. No peer-review process is used.¹²

Proposals can be submitted through an email to the editor: editor@ariadne.ac.uk.¹³

Editorial tone: There are no stated guidelines for editorial tone. Main articles tend to have a more formal, scholarly tone, while reviews and other articles appear to be relatively informal (i.e., first person is acceptable).¹⁴

Style guide used: Ariadne does not use a formal style guide.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

Ariadne has remained on the forefront of the open access movement and continues to focus its content on current and emerging LIS trends and technologies. Thus, although it is not peer reviewed, it is a credible and highly accessible source with great publishing potential for LIS practitioners, educators, and students. Contributors might consider writing about LIS conferences or workshops, workplace technologies, online learning, digital collections, social networking, Web 2.0./Library 2.0, or Web-based information seeking behavior.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Ariadne is an open access electronic publication that is available free to anyone with Internet access. As such, there is no formal subscription process and no readily available circulation data. Generally, though, freely accessible online resources do at least have the potential of a large audience base.¹⁵

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Although Ariadne maintains an international audience, the majority of readers are located in the U.S. and U.K., and content reflects this. ¹⁶

Ariadne is published solely in English, and based on geographic information, it can be assumed that the vast majority of readers are, in fact, native English speakers. However, authors should be aware of the linguistic and cultural differences that exist between the U.S. and British English. For example, submission guidelines indicate that “British English” should be used rather than “US English.” ¹⁷

Reader characteristics: Ariadne does not provide any detailed demographic information relating to the gender, age, or ethnicity of its readers. Because this is an international professional publication geared towards practicing information professionals, it is likely that the audience is relatively mature and experienced, but also demographically diverse. Although readers are likely to hold a wide variety of professional specializations, they are also very likely to share professional interests based on Ariadne‘s primary topics, which include digital libraries, technological developments, digital information management, and online learning. As a large portion of Ariadne readers work in libraries and archives, they are likely to be both interested in and sympathetic to library issues. They are also likely to share common values and beliefs about the role and importance of librarianship in an information society. It should be noted that Ariadne also features more opinion-based reader reviews, retrospectives, and reflections.¹⁸

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Ariadne readers are likely to be quite knowledgeable about LIS subject matter and jargon. As practicing information professionals, they would certainly be interested in library topics that are directly applicable to their careers. Read through the archived issues to get a sense of the current topics. ¹⁹

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

Ariadne is a professional publication with a very specific focus on practical articles that discuss sophisticated technological issues and developments in LIS. Overly general library articles, theoretical papers, or pieces that fail to directly address current trends in librarianship with a heavy focus on digital initiatives may not interest Ariadne readers. Submissions should be professional but not necessarily scholarly in tone, and they should focus on relating practical applications for LIS practitioners (see topic suggestions in the Publication Analysis above).

It is important for the author to note that although Ariadne is a British publication with a core following in the UK, the majority of readers actually reside in the U.S., and it is a global magazine. This allows for increased opportunities to effectively reach Ariadne readers.

Last Updated: March 8, 2020

References

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Archival Science: International Journal on Recorded Information

By Phyllis Pistorino on February 28, 2020 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Archival Science: International Journal on Recorded Information (Title changed from Archives and Museum Informatics in 2001.)¹

ISSN: 1389-0166²

Purpose, objective, or mission: Promotes the development of archival science as a scientific discipline. Per their website “…this journal is the only independent, international, peer-reviewed journal on archival science, covering all aspects of theory, methodology and practice, with appropriate attention to the non-anglophone world…”³

Website: https://www.springer.com/journal/10502

Target audience: The primary audience is researchers and educators in the field of archival science; a secondary audience is other professionals interested in recorded information.⁴

Publisher: Springer Netherlands⁵

Peer reviewed? Yes⁶ However, the journal website provides no information on the review process.

Type: LIS scholarly⁷

Medium: Print and online, selected articles available open access⁸

Content: Articles cover all aspects of archival science theory, methodology, and practice; investigations of different cultures; comparisons of perspectives and practices worldwide; and the field of process-related information. The journal especially focuses on the comparison of procedures and techniques throughout the world, especially in non-English-speaking countries.⁹

Frequency of publication: Quarterly.¹⁰

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: See “Submission Guidelines” at https://www.springer.com/journal/10502/submission-guidelines

Types of contributions accepted: The publication focuses on the scientific aspects of the archival field. Articles deal with the creation, preservation and retrieval of archival information; the social, cultural and historical facets of archived information; and the theory and methodology of information generation and use.¹¹

Submission and review process: Entire manuscripts are accepted through an online submission process.¹² The site offers detailed information regarding submission guidelines and also provides a series of online tutorials to help an author prepare a manuscript for publication.¹³

Editorial tone: Scholarly¹⁴

Style guide used: Publication has an in-house style guide, provided in the “Instructions for Authors” tab.¹⁵

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

A review of previously published articles indicates that the majority of authors are from the LIS academic community. Archival Science is an international publication, and the authors are international as well. Faculty at U.S. institutions such as Simmons College, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Pittsburgh were represented with recent articles. There was no indication of graduate students’ work in the publication, suggesting this journal may only be an option for experienced authors from the academic community; however, the journal does offer mentoring through their online course tutorials.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: 82,140 Downloads (2018)

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: This is an English-language journal published in the Netherlands. Due to its international audience, prospective authors should avoid regionalisms and ensure that any references, such as cultural and geographic terms, are clear to the reader.¹⁶

Reader characteristics: Readers are academics, well-educated within their field, and interested in promoting archival science as an autonomous scientific discipline. Interests span all aspects of archival science theory, methodology, and practice. While readers work in a variety of environments, including universities, governments, and museums, the journal is aimed at academics. Readers would likely not have an interest in LIS issues beyond those related to their work as archivists. Also, writing that focuses on local issues not applicable to another location would hold little interest for the average reader.¹⁷

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Archivists will most likely have a general understanding of how their work is related to the LIS field, but not all archivists will have an LIS degree. For example, archivists working for the United States federal government are not required to have an LIS degree.¹⁸

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

Authors interested in writing for this publication need to be secure in their knowledge and reputation in the archival profession, as the readers expect articles that are thought provoking and will add to their knowledge of the field.

Last updated: February 28, 2020

References

Show 18 footnotes

The American Archivist

By Phyllis Pistorino on February 28, 2020 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: The American Archivist

ISSN: 0360-9081 (Print) and 2327-9702 (Online)¹

Website: https://americanarchivist.org/

Purpose, objective, or mission: The website of The American Archivist states it “seeks to reflect thinking about theoretical and practical developments in the archival profession.”² It is the journal of the Society of American Archivists, so the focus is on the cultural, social, legal, and technological developments in North America in particular.³

Target audience: Archivists and special collections librarians.⁴

Publisher: Society of American Archivists (SAA).⁵

Peer reviewed? Yes⁶

Type: LIS and History, scholarly⁷

Medium: Print and online open access; last six issues available to SAA members and subscribers only, or to the general public for a fee.⁸

Content: Includes research articles, case studies, commentaries on issues and practices of interest to the field, essays on international archival practices, annotated professional resource bibliographies, discussions of professional practice and initiatives, and letters to the editor on previously published articles and other topics of interest to the field.⁹

Frequency of publication: Semi-annual.¹⁰

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://www2.archivists.org/american-archivist/editorialpolicy

Types of contributions accepted: Original research articles, case studies, opinion and editorial pieces, articles concerning international practices or perspectives, professional resource bibliographies, and reviews of books, archival literature, finding aids, microfilm editions, exhibits, and computer software.¹¹

Submission and review process: The preferred maximum length is 8,000 words for research articles and surveys, and 3,000 words for case studies and perspectives. These length requirements may be waived for certain articles in consultation with the editor. All articles should be accompanied by a 250-word abstract. Manuscripts are to be submitted electronically through the Submissions Manager in Microsoft Word, double-spaced and pages numbered throughout, with author’s name and address on the title page only.¹²

The American Archivist is a refereed journal. Each submission will be reviewed by two experts in the subject matter of the submission, and a final decision for publication will be based on their reviews. Final decision normally takes a minimum of three months.¹³

Acceptance for publication is usually on the condition that specified revisions be made. Once an article is accepted, author will send a short biographical statement and photo. Authors are given the opportunity to approve all editorial changes and to review page proofs for correction of printer’s errors. It usually takes a year for a submission to be seen in print.¹⁴

Editorial tone: Scholarly.¹⁵

Style guide used: Chicago Manual of Style, latest edition; for professional terminology refer to the definitions outlined in A Glossary of Archival and Records Terminology by Richard Pearce-Moses.¹⁶

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

If the author is looking for an avenue to enter the conversation of current, scholarly archival practices and the future of conserving information, this may be one of the more prestigious journals through which to pursue publication. Publishing in American Archivist is sure to have weight when interviewing for a position, or to fulfill tenure or promotion requirements for academic libraries or other scholarly institutions.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: The American Archivist circulates to around 5,300 members of the Society of American Archivists, while the digital edition receives about 17,000 page views per month¹⁷

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: SAA members live and work all over North America. There is no specified or dominant culture or geographic area. This journal is mainly focused on North American archivists and their practices, and all articles are in English. However, this journal expresses a definite interest in the archival practices of their international colleagues, and specifically looks for articles on this subject.¹⁸

Reader characteristics: Highly educated individuals, most of whom have at least two university degrees. Most have history and/or library science graduate degrees. There are further specializations in every area imaginable, so a variety of interests are represented here. There is no information provided on age, gender, or ethnicity of the members. This audience works in a variety of professional settings, including universities and higher education, private corporations, nonprofits, historical societies, public and special libraries, art and history museums, religious organizations, and government agencies. Some specializations include acquisition and appraisal, business archives, religious archives, academic archives, museums, description (cataloging), electronic records, government records, manuscript repositories, oral history, preservation, reference and access, and visual materials to name a few. People may work by themselves with little to no assistance, or work in immense academic or private institutions with a fleet of colleagues and assistants. The most striking characteristic of American Archivist readers is that they love and believe in what they do. They are incredibly interested in their profession, and how to continue and expand it into the future. These readers are interested in practical approaches and ideas, as they are practitioners in the real world who are usually short on money, space, and time. Theoretical discussions with no practical applications would be of little value to them.¹⁹

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: With extensive knowledge specific of their branch of LIS, these readers are well versed in the history of archiving and preservation and specific technologies and practices, and are often eager to discuss and debate new technologies and future practices in the field. They are familiar with both LIS and archival terminology, concerns, issues, and theories. Archival studies includes several different models used for appraisal, weeding, preservation, etc., which are also discussed in this publication. Not all readers will possess an LIS degree as some enter the field by way of a history or museum education and background.²⁰

Conclusion: Reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

The readers of this publication can be extremely intimidating for the new author and archival professional. Many of SAA’s members have been publishing in this journal (and others) for years, and their names are well-known and carry weight at conferences and national conventions. They have highly specialized and technical knowledge ranging over hundreds of topics, localities, and institutional settings. These readers are professional scholars and practitioners who value both theoretical and applied research in archival science. They will be looking for excellent academic writing, new ideas, or suggestive case studies with relevance to their own repositories. This is a high standard to meet. However, if an author feels he or she has something to add to the conversation of archival studies, this is the right forum. This is where the newest, most significant research, case studies, and experimental models in the field are disseminated and discussed.

Last updated: February 28, 2020

References

Show 20 footnotes

Archival Outlook

By Blake Wandling on June 30, 2019 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Archival Outlook

ISSN: 1520-3379¹

Website: http://www2.archivists.org/archival-outlook

Purpose, objective, or mission: A newsletter membership benefit for members of the Society of American Archivists (SAA) that updates readers on the work of the Society and its many component groups and reports on regional, national, and international news of relevance to members of the profession.²

Target audience: Those interested in or specializing in the archival profession or one of its allied fields.³

Publisher: The Society of American Archivists (SAA)⁴

Peer reviewed? No.⁵

Type: LIS professional news.⁶

Medium: Print and online.⁷ Print issues are mailed exclusively to members, but digital versions are available to the general public on the SAA website.⁸

Content: Features often cover best-practice and how-to articles on timely archival topics; notable collections, projects, or advocacy work; how archives are used by the public; and profiles of archives or archivists at work. SAA aims to nurture both new voices and established writers; the content is primarily written by the organization’s members and those in the profession.⁹

Frequency of publication: Bimonthly: January/February, Marcy/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December.¹⁰

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://www2.archivists.org/archival-outlook

Types of contributions accepted: A range of relevant topics will be considered, but articles typically focus on best practices, unique collections, notable achievements by an archivist or archives, and updates on the Society and its component groups. Articles should include “some kernel of information that will enlighten the reader professionally.”¹¹ Illustrations are encouraged. Articles should run 700 words for a one-page story or 1,200 words for a double-page spread.¹²

Submission and review process: Send queries and article ideas to the current Editorial and Production Coordinator via email. This position is currently held by Abigail Christian.¹³

Editorial tone: This is the member newsletter, not the official journal. While the articles are highly relevant to the archival profession, the tone is more friendly and laid back.¹⁴

Style guide used: No style guide is specified.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

This newsletter is a perfect place for students in the archive sector to share short articles or feature stories on news, information, special projects or advocacy, or profiles of SAA members. It is neither peer reviewed nor the official SAA scholarly journal, so it is most likely not an avenue for publishing in efforts to gain tenure, but it would be an excellent place to start writing about all things archives, explore different topics within the archives world, or share information about relevant individuals, organizations, and conferences.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: 6,200+ members.¹⁵

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The Society is based in Chicago and is North America’s oldest and largest national archival professional association.¹⁶ Outlook is written in English.¹⁷ The newsletter accepts international updates and news, but is a North American publication.¹⁸

Reader characteristics: The newsletter can have a very insider, quirky tone because it is directed at SAA community members. A unique feature is the use of visuals (mostly archival photos) to tell a story or as stand-alone pieces.¹⁹ If a LIS student came across an interesting visual, this would be the place to share it. The publication’s articles are largely written by members and those in the archives profession. The newsletter is strictly for those in the archival profession, or those interested in it. This does not just mean those in library-specific archives: professionals from all sectors within the profession are profiled and encouraged to share news and updates.²⁰ Readers are positively archival advocates. This is a newsletter that is very proud of being all about archives and celebrating archival and library professionals.²¹

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: As the readership is comprised of professional archivists, LIS knowledge and language is encouraged, though education level and degrees may vary.²²

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

Readers of this publication have one crucial aspect in common: their love of archives. Articles need to focus on positive aspects of the profession - this is not the venue to share negative comments or criticisms, although critiques might be accepted, and definitely reviews of new exhibits, books, or professionals would be fine. The level of LIS knowledge is high - this is not a newsletter for neophytes but is directed toward professionals. However, its tone is friendly, open, and welcoming to anyone with an interest in archives. This would be a fun, interesting place to publish with the aim to keep readers up to date as well as entertained.

Last updated: June 30, 2019

References

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SNAP Section Blog

By Blake Wandling on June 30, 2019 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: SNAP Section Blog [Students & New Archives Professionals]

ISSN: N/A

Website: https://snaproundtable.wordpress.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: The SNAP Section is a sub-group formed within the Society of American Archivists (SAA) to focus on student and new professional goals and issues.¹ The SNAP Blog provides SNAP Section members with a forum sharing information in a more public forum, in conjunction with other social media outlets.² The blog meets supports SNAP’s goals to “provide a forum to share concerns and learn from each other” and to “facilitate remote participation in the group through social media and other online resources.”³

Target audience: Entry level or student archivists, particularly those involved in the SAA: students, interns, new professionals, early-career archivists, and those still looking for their first professional job. Per the bylaws, any member or nonmember of SAA, including new and more experienced archives professionals, may participate in SNAP in accordance with the most current Guidelines for Roundtables as set forth by the SAA Council.⁴

Publisher: The Society of American Archivists (SAA).⁵

Peer reviewed? No.⁶

Type: LIS Professional and Trade Publication.⁷

Medium: Online.⁸

Content: Sharing information relevant to the student and new archive professional community, including archive-relevant blogs, regional meetings or courses, project ideas, general Q&A regarding research, professional and student issues, and the Ask An Archivist Q&A section.⁹

Frequency of publication: Updated as often as members post online. Recently the rate has been about three times per month.¹⁰

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://snaproundtable.wordpress.com/about/

Types of contributions accepted: Blog reviews, accounts of regional meetings or courses, project ideas, and anything of interest to the archival community.¹¹ Special columns offer more structured writing opportunities, and can be found here.¹²

Submission and review process: Authors who want to contribute to the blog should submit a contact form with information about themselves and about the topic they plan to write about.¹³ It can be assumed that the blog team will work with authors to develop their idea and get it posted.

Editorial tone: Informal.¹⁴

Style guide used: None listed.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

The SNAP Section Blog is an excellent forum for sharing archival information and concerns among a like-minded group. It should be easy for novice writers to practice publishing their thoughts, ideas, and announcements in this public forum. Posting on this blog promises networking potential, as well as the possibility of becoming a strong voice in the newest generation of archivists, who may bring to light new perspectives on issues not emphasized to more established archivists.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Currently 218 people follow the blog,¹⁵ though the number of views that blog posts receive on the site and on linked-to social media could potentially be much greater.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The audience is largely North American, as the blog concerns members of the SAA. English is the primary language. Recent blog posts demonstrate comfort with social media and current internet language.¹⁶

Reader characteristics: Since the Section focuses on students and new professionals, members are likely overall to be younger than their other SAA Section counterparts, though new archive professionals may be older individuals in the midst of a career change. Readers may also be more established archivists who want to keep up with what issues their new colleagues find important.¹⁷

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Some LIS terminology and understanding is expected; but this is not a professional-grade publication, just sharing among peers. Contributors writing about their personal experiences in the field are not necessarily expected to walk readers through each step of what their work entails.¹⁸

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

The SNAP Blog offers an excellent venue for new and student archivists to share knowledge, insights, and new ideas about their profession.¹⁹ This is a very organized, enthusiastic group of students and new professionals who are addressing the needs of those LIS professionals new to archival librarianship. Readers are hoping to learn career tips, gain insight on issues they have different perspectives on, and network with other professionals. Write from personal experience and with passion for maximized readership.

Last updated: June 30, 2019

References

Show 19 footnotes

Italian Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science (JLIS.it)

By Maria Notarangelo on April 10, 2018 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Italian Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science (JLIS.it)

ISSN: 2038-1026

Website: https://www.jlis.it/

Purpose, objective, or mission: The Italian Journal of Library, Archives and Information (JLIS.it) is an international academic journal that publishes research and theory in library, archives, and information science.¹

Target audience: Library and information science (LIS) professionals, academics, and students from around the world who are interested in research and theory in both LIS and archival science.

Publisher: JLIS.it is published by the Università di Firenze Dipartimento di Storia, Archeologia, Geografia, Arte e Spettacolo and is hosted by the University of Macerata, CSIA.²

Peer reviewed? Yes, double-blind peer review.³

Type: LIS scholarly journal.

Medium: Online.

Content: JLIS.it publishes research articles, contributions, and reports on various topics of interest to the library, archives, and information science international communities. Regular sections are Essays, Contributions, and Reports & Reviews.⁴ The journal also publishes conference proceedings, such as EURIG2017,⁵ and special issues, such as a 2017 issue on classification.⁶

Frequency of publication: JLIS.it publishes three issues a year.⁷

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: Submissions.

Types of contributions accepted: JLIS.it publishes innovative research relevant to the library, archives, and information science fields; brief contributions on a variety of related topics; and conference reports and reviews. The 2015 Manifesto states that the journal aims to “emphasize the integration between LIS and Archival science on the level of projects and profession” nationally and internationally and to consider the theoretical and methodological traditions of each discipline.⁸ The 2010 Manifesto indicates that the journal encourages stepping away from the strictly academic and “mixing knowledge, methods, and different scientific and technical languages.” The journal also encourages writing that theorizes beyond the institutional and traditional.⁹

Submission and review process: JLIS.it uses OJS, an automated web-based system, for manuscript submission, tracking, and review.¹⁰ Authors should check that their manuscripts comply with the Submission Preparation Checklist¹¹ and follow the Section Policies.¹² Each manuscript is reviewed by an editor and if appropriate is sent to two reviewers for double-blind peer review; authors are usually contacted within nine weeks of submission.¹³

Editorial tone: The tone is academic, and articles are in Italian or English.

Style guide used: Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition) citations and references.¹⁴

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

JLIS.it is a highly regarded international journal that publishes articles in LIS and archival science and in the intersection of the two disciplines; the journal pushes for new and nontraditional approaches to these disciplines in theory, research, and practice. LIS authors that study the international stage of LIS or archives, or who perform research that resonates internationally and pushes traditional boundaries, may find a good fit here. Further, the 2010 Manifesto indicates that the journal is an “ideal place” for contributions from those new to the profession, so student writers may have a chance at publishing in a prestigious journal. The journal is “a sort of lab for studying and researching what is new in LIS; a place for militant librarianship, with strong observations on the changes that the digital culture is bringing to cognitive processes and to professional practices.”¹⁵

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Data not available, but each article displays metrics.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: JLIS.it publishes articles in Italian and English. It is written for an international audience, so regional terms or practices should be explained. The editors and editorial board members are mostly from Italian universities and institutions, but the Scientific Committee members are from all over the world.¹⁶

Reader characteristics: Readers are professionals, scholars, and students in the fields of LIS and archival science.

Reader knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers most likely have a solid knowledge of LIS and archival science; however, readers are from all over the world and from many different types of institutions in LIS and archival science.

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

Authors should consider that readers are LIS and archival science professionals and scholars from all over the world who are interested in the latest developments in both fields as well as how the disciplines relate to each other and how they are shaping and responding to profound changes brought on by the new digital culture. The audience probably expects high-level research and interesting, novel approaches to theory and practice.

Last updated: April 7, 2017

References

Show 16 footnotes

Judaica Librarianship

By Lisa Lowdermilk on April 9, 2018 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Judaica Librarianship

ISSN: 0739-5086 (Print, prior to the 2014, volume 18 issue) and 2330-2976 (Online)¹

Website: http://ajlpublishing.org/jl/

Purpose, objective, or mission: “Judaica Librarianship is the scholarly journal of the Association of Jewish Libraries, an international professional organization that fosters access to information and research, in all forms of media relating to all things Jewish. The Association promotes Jewish literacy and scholarship and provides a community for peer support and professional development.”² Membership is open to librarians, libraries, and library supporters. The journal itself is a “forum for scholarship on the theory and practice of Jewish studies librarianship and information studies.”³

Target audience: Members of the ALA with an interest in Jewish culture, members of the Association of Jewish Libraries, members of the American Theological Library Association, and anyone interested in Jewish library and information science.⁴

Publisher: Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL).⁵

Peer reviewed? Yes, using a double-blind system.⁶

Type: LIS scholarly.⁷

Medium: Online as of 2014, volume 18. Prior to that, the journal was in print.⁸

Content: “Judaica Librarianship, the peer-reviewed journal of the Association of Jewish Libraries, provides a forum for scholarship on all theoretical or practical aspects of Jewish Studies librarianship and cultural stewardship in the digital age; bibliographical, bibliometric and comprehensive studies related to Jewish booklore; historical studies or current surveys of noteworthy collections; and extensive reviews of reference works and other resources, including electronic databases and informational websites.”⁹

Additionally, the journal covers “LGBTQ issues, Linked Data in libraries, and digital humanities,”¹⁰, as well as the history of bookstores,¹¹ the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Library of the University of Haifa’s role in promoting information literacy,¹² and public librarians’ opinions on including controversial Holocaust denial materials in library collections.¹³

The journal has also covered major changes in cataloging rules and classification schemes for Judaica, documented important local cataloging practices, described the earliest automation systems with Hebrew capability, and reviewed landmark Judaic reference works, as well as children’s books.¹⁴

Frequency of publication: Annually.¹⁵

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://ajlpublishing.org/jl/submission_guidelines.html

Types of contributions accepted: The journal publishes a wide range of articles related to Jewish studies librarianship and information studies. In addition to the topics below, the journal also welcomes “thoroughly revised and updated versions of papers presented at AJL Annual Conferences or chapter meetings.”¹⁶

Sample article titles include “Virtual Libraries vs. Physical Libraries in Jewish Studies,” “Establishing Uniform Headings for the Sacred Scriptures,” “The Jewish Press in France: A Review of the Contemporary Scene, 1993,” and “Strongly Traditional Judaism: A Selective Guide to World Wide Web Resources in English.”¹⁷

From the Focus and Scope page the journal covers the following topics:

“Theoretical or empirical studies integrating library and information science with aspects of Jewish studies and related fields that could stimulate the scholarly discussion about Jewish libraries (history of the book, bibliometrics, literary studies, media studies, Jewish languages and linguistics, information technology, literacy studies, or social history).
Best practices and policies for Jewish libraries of all kinds: school libraries (all levels); community center libraries; public libraries; Judaica collections in religious institutions; archival collections; museum and historical society libraries; research libraries; and special libraries.
Innovative approaches to data curation, discovery tools, or preservation of library materials in the digital age.
Descriptive essays and surveys of noteworthy collections.
Digital humanities projects relevant to Jewish studies and other digitization projects.
Historical or bibliographical studies pertaining to Hebraica and/or Judaica materials, libraries and librarians, or generally to Jewish booklore.
Library services for users, including but not limited to reference tools and instruction guidelines for teaching Jewish literacy, cultural programming, or any other outreach programs.
Collaborative collection development initiatives across library networks.”¹⁸

The journal also sponsors a student essay contest, open to students currently enrolled in an accredited LIS program. Essays should be related to Jewish studies librarianship. The winning essay will be considered for Judaica Librarianship publication, and the winner will receive a cash prize.¹⁹

Submission and review process: Judaica Librarianship has an Open Access policy with a 12-month moving wall. As is standard, the journal does not accept simultaneous submissions or previously published manuscripts.²⁰

To submit an article for consideration, authors must first create an account through the site and follow the detailed submission guidelines.²¹

When submitting, keep in mind that the journals follows the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).²²

Editorial tone: Articles are extremely reader-friendly, with a professional, yet conversational tone. As such, while LIS terms and phrases are employed throughout, both LIS and non-LIS readers with an interest in Jewish library concerns can enjoy all this journal has to offer.²³

Style guide used: For style guidelines, please follow the Chicago Manual of Style, 16^th edition and Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11^th edition.²⁴

For academic writing guidelines, follow Christopher Hollister’s Handbook of Academic Writing for Librarians and Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style.²⁵

For romanization of non-Latin languages (Hebrew, Cyrillic, Ladino, and Judeo-Arabic), consult the Library of Congress Romanization Tables; for the romanization of Yiddish, refer to the YIVO system.²⁶

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

The journal is an excellent place for new and established writers looking for a community-oriented, peer-reviewed journal devoted to Jewish LIS studies. Additionally, this publication welcomes new ideas, as well as fresh takes on established theories. Thirdly, the editorial team works closely with writers to ensure style and content are up to the journal’s standards, so unpublished and published authors alike can feel comfortable throughout the entire review process.²⁷

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Although exact circulation numbers are unavailable, the journal has over 25,000 downloads since becoming an online publication in 2014.²⁸ Additionally, it is safe to say the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) comprises a large portion of the journal’s audience. AJL is an international organization, with members from “North America and beyond, including China, the Czech Republic, Holland, Israel, Italy, South Africa, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.”²⁹

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The AJL is headquartered in New Jersey³⁰, and members of the journal’s editorial board are affiliated with North American universities, including Arizona State University, Stanford University, Yeshiva University, University of Washington, University of Toronto, and the (U.S.) Library of Congress.³¹

Additionally, the AJL holds a conference each year at a different location. Typically, the conference is held in North America, but in 1971, it was held in Jerusalem.³² Although the bulk of the work for the journal is done through online collaboration, the AJL conferences serve as a useful forum for the editorial board to discuss their work in person.³³

The journal is published in English,³⁴, but—as mentioned above—it promotes Jewish literacy and LIS studies worldwide.³⁵ Thus, this journal is defined by its Jewish LIS interests, rather than by a specific geographic area.³⁶

Lastly, articles often include Yiddish or Hebrew terminology, which is generally explained within the text.³⁷

Reader characteristics: Readers belong to the AJL,³⁸ and, whether or not they’re information professionals, tend to be interested in Jewish LIS news. Additionally, readers likely work in libraries, museums, and other cultural or information centers. AJL’s membership includes two divisions: one containing Research Libraries, Archives, and Special Collections; the other containing Schools, Synagogues, and Centers.³⁹ All members receive a subscription to Judacia Librarianship.⁴⁰

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Because this journal is published by the Association of Jewish Libraries, most readers will be familiar with LIS subject matter.⁴¹ However, because not all readers are affiliated with LIS professions⁴², articles use specific LIS terms sparingly and explain them where necessary.

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

Readers of this journal have a strong interest in news from a Jewish library perspective and are likely to welcome new studies, research, programs, or notes from the field. This publication is also an excellent choice for learning more about and becoming part of the larger AJL community. Authors should also keep in mind that the audience of this publication encompasses readers outside the LIS profession “and includes scholars researching the history of the book,” professionals affiliated with museums and bookstores, etc.⁴³

Last updated: April 9, 2018

References

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