Wiki Tags Archives: Public libraries

Urban Library Journal (ULJ)

By Maria Notarangelo on March 23, 2018 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Urban Library Journal (ULJ)

ISSN: 1944-9682

Website: https://academicworks.cuny.edu/ulj/

Purpose, objective, or mission: ULJ “addresses all aspects of urban libraries and librarianship.” The journal was formerly titled Urban Academic Librarian.¹

Target audience: ULJ’s audience includes librarians, LIS students, and other professionals working in urban libraries, those serving diverse and urban populations, and those interested in these and related fields.

Publisher: ULJ is published by the Library Association of the City University of New York (LACUNY)² and is sponsored by the Office of Library Services at CUNY Central.³ The journal is hosted by CUNY Academic Works.⁴

Peer reviewed? Yes, double-blind peer review.⁵

Type: LIS scholarly journal.

Medium: Online.⁶

Content: ULJ publishes research, theory, and practice articles addressing “all aspects of urban libraries and librarianship.”⁷ The journal has a regular book review section. Furthermore, the journal publishes Selected Proceedings from the 2017 LACUNY Institute, which regularly appear in one issue of each volume.⁸

Frequency of publication: ULJ “is published online on a rolling basis, and will be collected into issues twice per year.” ⁹

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: Author Guidelines.

Types of contributions accepted: ULJ “welcomes articles dealing with academic, research, public, school, and special libraries in an urban setting”¹⁰ The journal’s scope is broad, as it invites manuscripts on “areas such as public higher education, urban studies, multiculturalism, library and educational services to immigrants, preservation of public higher education, and universal access to World Wide Web resources.” Further, the editors invite recommendations for columns or special issues.¹¹ The website lists the most popular articles, according to full-text download statistics.¹²

Submission and review process: ULJ accepts submissions via the journal’s website.¹³ Authors can submit manuscripts at any time. Manuscripts that the editors determine to be in the journal’s scope are sent to at least two reviewers for double-blind peer review, and authors receive reviewers’ comments. The editors strive to make decisions on manuscripts, including peer review, within sixty days of receipt.

Editorial tone: Articles exhibit a formal, academic style.

Style guide used: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.¹⁴

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

ULJ is a long-established leading journal, and its peer-review process, emphasis on research, and scholarly tone make it a viable option for LIS professionals and scholars with experience in urban libraries or whose research focuses on theories and practices in urban and diverse settings. It may not be suitable for beginning or student authors, but those with workable ideas should not be discouraged from submitting.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Data are not available for ULJ. LACUNY, the journal’s publisher, has about 150 members.¹⁵

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: LACUNY members are City University of New York faculty and staff, as well as library employees from affiliated institutions.¹⁶ ULJ editorial board members are mostly from CUNY campuses. However, the journal’s reach and relevance are broad because it is an open-access journal and its articles are of interest to LIS professionals throughout the United States and in other countries. It is written in English.

Reader characteristics: Overall, readers have master’s degrees in educational technology, computer science, and library science, and are associated with urban academic libraries. The journal is also relevant to librarians, library staff members, and other LIS professionals in a variety of libraries in urban settings or with diverse populations. Academic librarians and practitioners in other types of libraries, including school, public, and special, contribute to the journal, showing that the interest in urban libraries is emphasized more than the library type.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers will possess considerable knowledge about LIS topics and subjects, with many readers knowledgeable about the inner workings of academic libraries. However, specialized jargon should be avoided or explained, in order to appeal to a wide range of librarians.

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

ULJ is a scholarly journal that publishes theoretical, practical, and heavily researched articles. Readers are from academic, public, school, and special libraries serving urban and diverse populations. Topics including services to immigrants, services to students, affordability and open educational resources, libraries as community spaces, advocacy, and the urban library setting are all suitable.

Last updated: March 23, 2018

References

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Weave: Journal of Library User Experience (Weave UX)

By Kelli Roisman on March 19, 2018 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Weave: Journal of Library User Experience (Weave UX)

ISSN: 2333-3316

Website: https://www.weaveux.org

Purpose, objective, or mission: “Weave is a peer-reviewed, open access, web-based publication featuring articles on user experience (UX) for librarians and professionals in related fields.”¹

Weave provides “a forum where practitioners of UX in libraries can have discussions that increase and extend our understanding of UX principles, research, and design.” Its primary aim is “to improve the practice of UX in libraries, and in the process, to help libraries be better, more relevant, more useful, more accessible places.”²

Target audience: “Weave’s intended primary audience consists of people in libraries who are using or are interested in using UX. That means not only people whose job title or primary areas of responsibility are UX-related, but anyone at all who has an interest or stake in improving library experience for users, and that includes everyone who works in a library, from administrators to instruction librarians to catalogers.”³

Publisher: Michigan Publishing, a division of the University of Michigan Library.⁴

Peer reviewed? Research-based scholarly articles are subjected to a double-blind review process. Weave‘s Dialog Box provides a platform for non-scholarly pieces published in a variety of formats.⁵

Type: LIS scholarly journal.

Medium: Online.

Content: Weave primarily publishes full-length, peer-reviewed, scholarly articles. It also publishes “non-scholarly, conversational pieces,” which “extend beyond the traditional book review section and feature critical dialogue not only with books, but with other media that set the boundaries of library UX.”⁶

Frequency of publication: Issues are published twice a year.⁷

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://mpub.janewaysharedhosting.com/weaveux/submissions/

Types of contributions accepted: Weave is looking for two types of submissions:

Full-length, scholarly articles of relevance to user experience in libraries, subject to a double-blind, peer-reviewed process.
Dialog Box is intended for “pieces which avoid the traditional scholarly voice,” and provides a forum for “a richer, more inclusive, and engaging discussion.” Submission formats vary widely and include practitioner interviews, ethnographic and/or personal narratives, interactive pieces, artwork, zines, and more.⁸

Submission and review process: Before writing an article, Weave asks that you send a short pitch using their pitch template to provide the following information: working title; brief description of how the article will advance user experience in libraries; why you think it’s a good fit; what value Weave‘s readers will get from the article; where you are in the writing process; your institutional affiliation; and additional authors. ⁹

Editorial tone: Professional.

Style guide used: APA style is used for in-text citations and references. The Chicago Manual of Style is used for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and other general style issues.¹⁰

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

Weave editors are committed to advancing the conversation on user experience in a library setting. It is an opportunity for UX professionals to learn from each other and share their ideas. Authors are welcomed to contribute both practical and theoretical material. Whether you have ideas you want to explore or have already composed a full-fledged article, Weave is an excellent place to start if you want to write about user experience in the LIS field.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Circulation data such as page views are not publicly available.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Weave is an English-language, open access, web-based publication with an international readership. Editors are experts in the field of user experience, and based in Canada and the United States. The journal has published articles from authors in England, Canada, Israel, Australia, and Sweden, in addition to the United States.¹¹

Reader characteristics: Weave‘s readers include anyone with an interest in improving users’ library experience. They may be UX practitioners or other professionals working in libraries or related fields. ¹²

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers may have expertise in user experience practices, or have some familiarity with UX in a library setting.

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

Prospective authors should consider how their article would advance user experience in libraries, as well as further the goal of helping libraries “be better, more relevant, more useful, more accessible places.¹³

Last updated: September 10, 2020

References

Show 13 footnotes

The Southeastern Librarian (SELn)

By Maria Notarangelo on March 14, 2018 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: The Southeastern Librarian (SELn)

ISSN: 0038-3686

Website: http://www.selaonline.org/sela/publications/SEln/issues.html

Purpose, objective, or mission: The Southeastern Librarian (SELn) “is the official publication of the Southeastern Library Association (SELA).” The journal publishes “articles, announcements, and news of professional interest to the library community in the southeast”¹

Target audience: The library community of the southeastern United States as well as members of SELA.²

Publisher: Southeastern Library Association.³

Peer reviewed? Yes.⁴

Type: LIS scholarly journal.

Medium: Online.

Content: For each volume, SELn publishes four issues that report SELA business, juried articles, book reviews, and state library/personnel news. The journal “represents a significant means for addressing the Association’s research objective.”⁵ Regular sections include Articles, Book Reviews, and News Articles.

Frequency of publication: Quarterly.

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: Guidelines for Submissions and Author Instructions.

Types of contributions accepted: Manuscripts submitted to SELn “need not be of a scholarly nature but should address professional concerns of the library community. SELn particularly seeks articles that have a broad southeastern scope and/or address topics identified as timely or important by SELA sections, round tables, or committees.” SELn also accepts articles with a broad range of information sources, not limited to the purely scholarly: “News releases, newsletters, clippings, and journals from libraries, state associations, and groups throughout the region.”⁶ SELn also accepts book reviews for consideration.⁷

Submission and review process:

For articles, the “manuscript will be acknowledged by the editor. Incoming manuscripts are added to a manuscript bank from which articles are selected for each issue.” The editor assigns manuscripts to at least two reviewers for blind review. Following the review, the author will be notified of the publication decision; articles are usually published within twelve months.⁸

For book reviews, “submissions will be judged on writing style, content and perceived interest to the readership of the journal.” Those reviews solicited by the editor receive preferential consideration.⁹

Editorial tone: SELn publishes both juried articles and news and association items. Scholarly articles have an academic tone but a readable style, whereas news articles are more informal. Articles that are not scholarly should “address professional concerns of the library community.”¹⁰ A review of the most recent articles reveals well-researched, referenced, and academic writing.¹¹

Style guide used: Latest edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.¹²

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

This journal provides a good opportunity for LIS practitioners, educators, and students based in the southeastern United States to publish original research and scholarship. Potential authors should consider joining SELA in order to identify topics of interest to members through the association’s sections, roundtables, and committees.¹³ LIS authors can also submit book reviews. Further, SELn has issued a call for volunteer reviewers; a reviewer must be a member of SELA and have two years professional experience and two published peer-reviewed articles (or equivalent).¹⁴

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: SELA members are able to access current issues online.¹⁵ Back issues one year past are available to all through DigitalCommons.¹⁶

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Readers are based in the southeastern United States. “State library associations of the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia are eligible to be constituent members of the Association.”¹⁷ As this publication focuses on a particular group of states, there will generally be a shared cultural understanding of relevant topics. However, as the SELn covers a fair number of states, specific regional terms should be explained.

Reader characteristics: SELA membership “may include any person, library or other organization . . . interested in the promotion and fostering of library and information services in the southeastern United States.”¹⁸ The audience will share a concern for the betterment of libraries in this region.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: As members of SELA, readers will have knowledge of LIS subject matter and jargon.

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

Readers of this journal will have a variety of interests in LIS issues, especially those whose relevance is demonstrated in the context of the southeastern United States. SELn readers are LIS professionals and students throughout the region, so there is an interest in a wide variety of research and scholarship that will benefit and advance practices in all LIS environments .

Last updated: March 14, 2018

References

Show 18 footnotes

Library Trends

By Lisa Lowdermilk on March 12, 2018 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Library Trends

ISSN: 0024-2594 (Print) and 1559-0682 (Online)¹

Website: http://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/library_trends/index.html

Purpose, objective, or mission: Per their site, “Library Trends is an essential tool for professional librarians and educators alike. Every issue explores critical trends in professional librarianship, and includes practical applications, thorough analyses, and literature reviews.”²

Target audience: College and research libraries, public libraries, library systems and networks, special libraries, and international college and research libraries.³

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press.⁴

Peer reviewed? Yes.⁵

Type: LIS scholarly; provides resources for the professional development of librarians and educators, with its research-oriented analysis of current library trends, literature reviews, and coverage of practical applications.⁶

Medium: Print and online.⁷

Content: Articles on library trends, practical applications, special libraries, emerging technologies, and more.⁸ Recent article topics include empowerment as it pertains to connectivity (specifically, Native Americans affiliated with Standing Rock, as well as parents living in rural parts of the Congo), informed asset-based pedagogy, and LIS services through WeChat in Chinese university libraries.⁹

Frequency of publication: Quarterly.¹⁰

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/library_trends/guidelines.html

Types of contributions accepted: Library Trends does not accept single-article submissions; rather, each issue covers a specific topic, and manuscript submissions are invited and organized by guest editor(s). “Articles published in Library Trends are typically in the range of 4,000-10,000 words, not including references and supplementary material. Longer or shorter submissions can be accommodated, but this is dependent on the significance of the content and subject to consultations with the guest and general editors.”¹¹

Submission and review process: “Articles must be submitted in Microsoft Word, typically via e-mail or an electronic file sharing service, to the guest editor, who will then shepherd it through for review.”¹²

Editorial tone: “The style and tone of the journal is formal rather than journalistic or popular.”¹³

Style guide used: The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition.¹⁴

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

Library Trends is an excellent choice for LIS authors who work well with specific writing prompts. “A guest editor proposes the theme and scope of a new issue, draws up a list of prospective authors and article topics, calls for submissions to the issue, arranges for review of the manuscripts, provides short annotations of each article’s scope, and prepares a statement of philosophy guiding issue development.”¹⁵ Working closely with a guest editor in such a structured manner allows LIS authors to hone desirable skills such as discipline and teamwork. It also provides valuable networking opportunities. All in all, this journal is a prestigious choice for both new and seasoned LIS authors.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: “Print circulation: 459.”¹⁶

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The journal is published in English in the U.S.¹⁷, so it’s safe to say that a substantial portion of its readers live in the U.S. However, as mentioned above, many articles cover issues pertaining to libraries around the world, so authors should limit colloquialisms, specific cultural references, etc. to ensure their pieces appeal to readers worldwide.

Reader characteristics: No readership information is provided, although the journal allows advertisers to rent lists of subscribers who belong to a variety of scholarly associations, including the American Studies Association (ASA).¹⁸ Most readers will be interested in scholarly topics and will likely have advanced degrees. The publication notes, “Issue topics for Library Trends are developed in many ways. We value recommendations from professional librarians, archivists, and other information personnel, from members of the faculties of schools of library and information science, and from others whose concern is with issues of the management of cultural heritage,”¹⁹ suggesting that many readers value the preservation of cultural heritage as it pertains to libraries.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers are likely to have a solid understanding of LIS issues and terminology pertaining to public libraries, international libraries, research libraries, special libraries, etc.²⁰

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

Readers expect authors to provide well-researched articles on new and emerging LIS trends.²¹Additionally, readers will expect a thoughtful analysis of the theme in question (e.g., empowerment for the volume 66, no. 2 issue).²² Finally, due to the journal’s international focus, readers will expect authors to be well-informed on the ways specific cultures and LIS trends intersect.

Last updated: March 12, 2018

References

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Reference & User Services Quarterly (RUSQ)

By Maria Notarangelo on March 6, 2018 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Reference & User Services Quarterly (RUSQ)

ISSN: 1094-9054

Website: https://journals.ala.org/index.php/rusq

Purpose, objective, or mission: Reference & User Services Quarterly (RUSQ) “is the official journal of the Reference and User Services Association of the American Library Association. Its purpose is to disseminate information of interest to reference librarians, information specialists, and other professionals involved in user-oriented library services.”¹

Target audience: Reference librarians, information specialists, students, and information professionals worldwide, as well as members of the Reference and User Services Association.

Publisher: American Library Association.²

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

Type: LIS scholarly journal.

Medium: Online, open access to all issues.⁴

Content: RUSQ disseminates information in areas of interest to librarians, including “reference services, collection development, reader’s advisory, resource sharing, technology for reference and user services, and other aspects of user services.”⁵ Further, “through its many columns, reports, and reviews the journal also publishes an array of useful professional information.”⁶ Regular columns include From the President of RUSA, For Your Enrichment, Information Literacy and Instruction, Management, Amplify Your Impact, Readers’ Advisory, The Alert Collector, and A Reference for That.

Frequency of publication: Quarterly.

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: Submissions.

Types of contributions accepted: Potential authors need to read the article “Thoughts on Scholarly Writing: Suggestions for Authors Considering Publishing in RUSQ,”⁷ by Barry Trott, the journal’s editor. This article explains RUSQ‘s acceptance, review, and publication process. It is also a helpful resource for authors who want to publish in any scholarly journal.

RUSQ “publishes empirical (quantitative and qualitative), theoretical, and historical research and essays as peer-reviewed featured articles.”⁸ Manuscripts submitted to RUSQ need to be within the journal’s scope, which includes “all aspects of library services to adults in all types of libraries.”⁹

Submission and review process: Manuscripts are submitted in a digital format as an e-mail attachment to the editor.¹⁰ Manuscripts go through a double-blind peer-review process.¹¹ The peer-review, acceptance, revision, and publication process is detailed in Trott’s article.¹²

Editorial tone: The overall tone is scholarly with clarity. Articles should be grammatically correct and written in a simple, readable style.¹³

Style guide used: Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, and its companion website. The submission guidelines offer examples of the required endnote format. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition, or the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary should be consulted for questions relating to spelling and word division.¹⁴

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

RUSQ is the journal of the Reference and User Services Association, which is a division of the American Library Association. As such, it is a leading journal in the field of adult user services. RUSQ is an ideal place for librarians and LIS professionals in public, academic, and special libraries to publish research and scholarship that uniquely contributes to the theory and practice of reference services to adult library users and that moves the profession forward. It may be a better forum for advanced, rather than novice, LIS writers.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Data not available.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: RUSQ is a U.S.-based journal written in English. The journal is affiliated with the American Library Association, so readers are concerned with issues related to libraries in America, and they are aware of and seek out more global perspectives on these issues. RUSQ became an open-access journal in order to reach more readers worldwide and to benefit librarians everywhere, especially where subscription costs are prohibitive.¹⁵

Reader characteristics: RUSQ readers are librarians, information professionals, and students in academic, public, and special libraries who have a keen interest in developments in the field of adult reference and user services. With the open-access policy, RUSQ‘s readership is expanding outside of North America, and writers should assume a global audience of professionals and students. Trott addresses RUSQ editors’ and readers’ expectations: “Prospective authors will make their manuscripts more attractive to editors and to readers by looking for areas that have not already been widely explored. If you are examining a topic about which much has been written lately, you need to make clear what your work brings to the discussion and how it forwards that discussion in useful and perhaps provocative ways.”¹⁶

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: RUSQ readers are very familiar with LIS subject matter. However, the journal’s style emphasizes that articles be readable and clearly written. “The tone of feature articles in RUSQ should be scholarly, but scholarly writing does not need to be impenetrable and obscure. Active voice, declarative sentences, and attention to language are all important.”¹⁷

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

Readers of RUSQ are LIS professionals and students working in all types of libraries and information centers. Potential authors must take into consideration the fact that readers belong to a certain segment of the library and information science field, particularly on the service side of librarianship, and articles must be aimed at informing and advising this portion of the profession. Authors should keep in mind the journal’s international scope and its emphasis on scholarly but straightforward writing.

Last updated: March 6, 2018

References

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Journal of Information Literacy (JIL)

By Lisa Lowdermilk on February 26, 2018 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Journal of Information Literacy (JIL)

ISSN: 1750-5968¹

Website: https://ojs.lboro.ac.uk/JIL/

Purpose, objective, or mission: The Journal of Information Literacy (JIL) is the professional journal of the CILIP Information Literacy Group. The journal “publishes innovative and challenging research articles and project reports which push the boundaries of information literacy thinking in theory, practice and method, and which aim to develop deep and critical understandings of the role, contribution and impact of information literacies in everyday contexts, education and the workplace.”²

Target audience: The target audience includes members of the UK-based CILIP Information Literacy Group and LIS professionals, scholars, students, and teachers, and those working in any field related to information literacy instruction and scholarship.

Publisher: JIL is published by the CILIP Information Literacy Group and hosted by Loughborough University Library.³

Peer reviewed? Yes, double-blind peer review.⁴

Type: LIS scholarly journal.

Medium: Online, open access.

Content: JIL “aims to investigate information literacy in all its forms to address the interests of diverse IL communities of practice.”⁵ Regular sections include Peer-Reviewed Articles, Articles from LILAC (Librarians’ Information Literacy Annual Conference), Book Reviews, Conference Updates, Project Reports, and Students’ View of IL.⁶

Frequency of publication: Twice a year.⁷

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: Submissions.

Types of contributions accepted: JIL accepts research articles that are “informed and evidence based, designed around an arguable research question, contextualised with reference to previous and current advances in IL thinking, [and] methodologically robust with a demonstrable research design.⁸ For the Students’ View of IL section, submissions should be “papers drawn from research (theoretical or applied) undertaken by students as part of a postgraduate course in LIS or other cognate disciplines, such as education or media.”⁹ Authors may also submit reviews of books, media, websites, and software relevant to information literacy practices; conference updates; and project reports “related to information, digital and learning literacies.¹⁰

Submission and review process: JIL‘s Submission page includes a section titled The Route to Publication that provides a helpful overview of the submission, review, and acceptance process. Authors need to format manuscripts according to the journal’s article template and verify that manuscripts conform to each item on the Submission Preparation Checklist. After manuscripts are submitted online, they are peer reviewed with comments on suitability and suggestions for revision; authors receive feedback and may resubmit for review if substantial changes are made.¹¹

Editorial tone: The tone is scholarly, and writers should use UK spelling. The journal’s Submission page provides helpful guidelines and templates for expected style, structure, and argument.¹²

Style guide used: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA).¹³

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

JIL “publishes articles from both established and new authors” in the field of information literacy. Furthermore, JIL “welcomes contributions that push the boundaries of IL beyond the educational setting and examine this phenomenon as a continuum between those involved in its development and delivery and those benefiting from its provision.”¹⁴ This journal is a good fit for LIS authors who conduct original research and novel scholarship in any area of information literacy. LIS graduate students and recent graduates have a great opportunity to publish in the journal’s Students’ View of IL section. JIL accepts 44% of articles submitted for publication.¹⁵

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Data not available.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: JIL is published by CILIP Information Literacy Group, which “works across the UK and represents a UK workforce of 87,000 information professionals working across the private, public and third sectors to unlock the value of information.”¹⁶ Authors should keep in mind that readers are information professionals throughout the UK, but as an open-access journal for a large organization, it can have an international reach.

Reader characteristics: Readers are information professionals throughout the UK. CILIP explains that information professional “is an umbrella term for librarians, information managers, knowledge managers and data professionals.”¹⁷

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers have a solid and practical understanding of LIS subject matter.

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

Based on membership in CILIP, readers are UK information professionals in a wide range of libraries and institutions. Members are interested in staying up-to-date on the most current developments in information literacy and in advancing scholarship of and practice in the field. Authors should keep in mind the journal’s focus on innovative research, scholarship, and practice in the field of information literacy.

Last updated: April 10, 2018

References

Show 17 footnotes

Chandos Publishing

By Rachel Greggs on February 22, 2018 in

Publisher analysis

About the publisher

Name: Chandos Publishing

Website: https://www.elsevier.com/books-and-journals/chandos-publishing

Purpose, objective, or mission: Chandos is “an international leading publisher in contemporary library and information science, and social science. With a truly global perspective, Chandos produces high-value resource books combining theory and practice for researchers, academics, and practitioners. “¹ They are an imprint of the publishing house Elsevier, founded in 1880.

Target audience: LIS professionals and those in the social sciences fields.

Owner: Elsevier

Are published books peer reviewed? Yes. Elsevier’s book proposal form asks potential authors to list three experts in the field who could provide input as part of the book’s review panel. All proposals are read by Elsevier editorial staff and selected external reviewers.²

Types of books published: Reference, textbooks, research books.

Medium: Print and digital.

Topics covered: Over 300 titles are incorporated into the following key series:

- Information Professional Series
- Social Media Series
- Learning and Teaching Series
- Asian Studies Series³

Number of titles published per year: In 2020, Chandos published five books in the LIS field.⁴

About the publisher’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://www.elsevier.com/authors/book-authors

Types of submissions accepted: “We offer a range of digital and print products to suit different subject areas, information types and customer needs. These include: reference, textbooks, fast-turn content, Major Reference Works, Reference Modules, stories and serials, laboratory and practical manuals, and atlases.” ⁵

Information that needs to be included in your proposal:

Working Title
Key Words
Author(s) and/or editors(s)
Aims and scope/Background and purpose
Your intended audience and benefits
Competing resources
Table of contents
Publishing Timeline
Sample content/chapter
Qualified reviewers

To access the official Proposal form, see Submissions process section HERE

Submission and review process: Download and fill out the proposal and send the completed form to our proposal mailbox including the following details in the subject line of your email: Proposal in (subject area) / (author name: working title)⁶

Editorial tone: Professional. The home page for Chandos Publishing states that they produce books for researchers, academics and practitioners.⁷

Style guide used: Unknown.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publisher’s potential for LIS authors

Though Elsevier is a large publishing house that is heavy on journals, LIS book authors could possibly find a good fit with Chandos. In 2020, some of their published book titles included Disaster Planning for Special Libraries, Future Directions in Digital Information, and Technology, Change, and the Academic Library. ⁸Elsevier is especially supportive of less experienced researchers and authors. Their website Researcher Academy offers in depth teaching modules to help authors learn about getting their works published and promoted.

Audience analysis

About the publisher’s audience

Size: Chandos is a sizable LIS publisher. Their online catalog shows 598 books currently in print.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Though Elsevier’s headquarters is in the Netherlands, Chandos states that they are an international publisher for the global LIS community. They feature a book series entitled the Asian Studies series, producing titles such as China’s Publishing Industry and Scholarly Communication in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Chandos also publishes international titles such as Succession Planning in Canadian Academic Libraries and Australian Library Supervision and Management.

Reader characteristics: Readers of works published by Chandos will likely be LIS academics and professionals seeking out books on specific subject matter.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: The home page for Chandos publishing states that they publish for “researchers, academics and practitioners,” so authors can assume that readers could potentially have an expert knowledge in the field.

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

Readers of works published by Chandos are LIS professionals located all over the world. With works such as Disaster Planning for Special Libraries and The Impact of Print-On-Demand on Academic Books, it’s clear that readers come to Chandos with well defined information needs that pertain to specific areas within the LIS field.

Last updated: February 22, 2018

References

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Pennsylvania Libraries: Research and Practice (PaLRaP)

By Maria Notarangelo on February 21, 2018 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Pennsylvania Libraries: Research & Practice (PaLRaP)

ISSN: 2324-7878 (online)

Website: www.palrap.org

Purpose, objective, or mission: Pennsylvania Libraries: Research & Practice provides (PaLRaP) provides opportunities for Pennsylvania librarians to share their knowledge and experience in all areas of librarianship with other librarians in the state and beyond.¹

Target audience: Librarians and LIS professionals in Pennsylvania, as well as those in other states and countries.²

Publisher: The journal is published by the University Library System, University of Pittsburgh, and cosponsored by the College and Research Division of the Pennsylvania Library Association and the University of Pittsburgh Press.³

Peer reviewed? Articles in the Research and Practice section are double-blind peer reviewed. Essay and Commentary articles are not peer reviewed but are edited and fact checked. News, features, and letters are not peer reviewed.⁴

Type: LIS scholarly journal.

Medium: Online and open access.⁵

Content: Sections appearing regularly in PaLRaP are Editorial, Letter, Commentary, Feature, Interview, Practice, Research, and News.⁶ Although the journal emphasizes scholarship from Pennsylvania libraries, the Research and Practice articles are original, current, and applicable to public and academic libraries outside of the state.

Frequency of publication: Twice a year.⁷

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: Submissions.

Types of contributions accepted: The journal is a forum for the “unique and valuable work of librarians in Pennsylvania.” PaLRaP “includes articles from all areas of librarianship, and from all types of libraries in Pennsylvania,” including original research, innovative initiatives and practices, and current trends and challenges.⁸ Each section of the journal has its own editorial guidelines, scope, and style.

Submission and review process: PaLRaP uses an online submission system. Registration as an author on the PaLRaP website is required to submit and check the status of manuscripts. Authors should read the section policies for editorial guidelines and to determine the correct category for manuscripts. Articles submitted to the Research and the Practice sections are submitted to blind peer review.⁹ The website provides a flowchart of the Open Journal Systems software, which is a helpful overview of the publishing process.¹⁰

Editorial tone: The Research and Practice articles are scholarly; the tone of other sections is less formal but appropriate for a scholarly journal.

Style guide used: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), 6th edition,¹¹ and the journal’s own “Additional Manuscript Guidelines for Authors.”¹²

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

LIS authors writing from and about Pennsylvania will find an excellent outlet in PaLRaP. The journal welcomes submissions from all types of libraries and all areas of librarianship. The journal’s focus on Pennsylvania may limit the ability of LIS authors from out of state to get published; however, LIS authors whose research and practice is in Pennsylvania have a great opportunity for publishing in a high-quality LIS journal whose content is relevant to academic and public libraries beyond Pennsylvania’s boarders.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: This is a five-year-old online open-access journal directed specifically to librarians and LIS professionals in Pennsylvania.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: PaLRaP‘s focus is on libraries in Pennsylvania, and its primary audience is in Pennsylvania; however, it is an open-access journal, so it can reach audiences worldwide. It is written in English.

Reader characteristics: Readers will most likely be librarians in Pennsylvania who expect to read about research and practice from within their state. Readers will expect “to be exposed to the unique and valuable work of librarians in Pennsylvania that may not be published elsewhere in the library literature.”¹³

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers will have LIS subject matter knowledge.

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

Although this publication focuses on library research and practice from the state of Pennsylvania, this is an open-access journal whose content is relevant outside of the state as well. Authors should keep in mind that there is potentially a much wider audience than just a local one.

Last updated: February 21, 2018

References

Show 13 footnotes

New Review of Children’s Literature and Librarianship

By Maria Notarangelo on February 14, 2018 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: New Review of Children’s Literature and Librarianship

ISSN: 1361-4541 (print), 1740-7885 (online)

Website: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rcll20/current

Purpose, objective, or mission: The New Review of Children’s Literature and Librarianship “is multidisciplinary in nature, providing opportunities for the ‘pure’ discussion of children’s literature, and of issues relating to one of the key places in which to find such literature — libraries for young people.”¹

Target audience: Those working in the field of children’s and adolescent literature around the world, including public and school librarians, scholars, critics, and teachers.²

Publisher: Taylor & Francis.³

Peer reviewed? Yes.⁴

Type: LIS scholarly journal.

Medium: Print and online.⁵

Content: The New Review of Children’s Literature and Librarianship is international in scope and publishes articles on a broad range of topics in the field of children’s and adolescent literature and library services, including “the management of library services to children and adolescents; education issues affecting library services; user education and the promotion of services; staff education and training; collection development and management; critical assessments of children’s and adolescent literature; book and media selection; and research in literature and library services for children and adolescents”⁶

Frequency of publication: Two issues per year.⁷

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: Instructions for authors.

Types of contributions accepted: The New Review of Children’s Literature and Librarianship accepts “original papers of both an experimental and theoretical nature,” as well as those grounded in practical issues in children’s and adolescent literature and library services. The journal publishes original research and scholarship on a broad range of professional issues in children’s and adolescent library services as well as theoretical analyses and discussions of children’s and adolescent literature.⁸

Submission and review process: Manuscripts and all editorial inquiries should be directed to the editor⁹ for editorial screening and peer review.¹⁰ Taylor & Francis provides a general overview of the publication process.¹¹

Editorial tone: The tone is academic and appropriate for an international audience.

Style guide used: MLA Handbook (8th ed.).¹²

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

The New Review of Children’s Literature and Librarianship is an appropriate outlet for LIS scholars, practitioners, and researchers from around the world who are writing about children’s and adolescent literature and library services. The journal publishes high-level research and analyses, as well as theoretical articles and those with practical application.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Circulation numbers are not available.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The New Review of Children’s Literature is international in scope and is published in English. The journal’s editor is based in the United Kingdom, as are many members of the editorial board. In addition, there are editorial board members from Ireland, France, the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, and Thailand.¹³

Reader characteristics: Readers are most likely public and school librarians, as well as researchers in children’s library services and teachers and critics of children’s literature.¹⁴

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: As an academic journal, it can be assumed that most readers have a solid professional knowledge of LIS subject matters.

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

Readers of the New Review of Children’s Literature and Librarianship have a high level of knowledge of the topic and expect to read articles that further their knowledge with well-reasoned analysis and research presented in a straightforward writing style. Readers are also practicing librarians who look to the journal for “informed comment and advice.”¹⁵ The journal’s readership is international, and so authors should provide some context for regional practices.

Last updated: February 14, 2018

References

Show 15 footnotes

The Journal of Research on Libraries and Young Adults

By Lisa Lowdermilk on February 5, 2018 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: The Journal of Research on Libraries and Young Adults (JRLYA)

ISSN: 2157-3980¹

Website: http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/

Purpose, objective, or mission: The official research journal of the Young Adult Library Services Association, JRLYA‘s purpose is to “enhance the development of theory, research, and practices to support young adult library services.”²

As part of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA, a subspecialty of the ALA), JRLYA‘s mandate is part of YALSA’s National Research Agenda. The 2017-2021 Research Agenda reexamines how libraries can continue to meet the “changing needs” and “information practices” of teens.³

Target audience: “The primary audience for Journal of Research on Libraries and Young Adults includes academics, public librarians, school library media specialists, and secondary school educators who advocate for young adults and strive to support their developmental and educational needs.”⁴

Publisher: Young Adult Library Services Association⁵

Peer reviewed? Yes.⁶

Type: LIS Scholarly.⁷

Medium: Online.⁸

Content: From the YALSA website: JRLYA “promotes and publishes high quality original research concerning the informational and developmental needs of young adults; the management, implementation, and evaluation of library services for young adults; and other critical issues relevant to librarians who work with young adults.”⁹ Articles in the journal also include literary and cultural analysis of writing for young adults.¹⁰

Frequency of publication: Irregularly.¹¹

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/author-guidelines/

Types of contributions accepted: Original, research-based manuscripts. From the Author Guidelines: “Manuscripts may be based on original qualitative or quantitative research, an innovative conceptual framework, or a substantial literature review that opens new areas of inquiry and investigation.”¹² You may also submit manuscripts from other disciplines focused on “enriching theory, research and practice in young adult library services.”¹³

Submission and review process: Send the submission as an email attachment (.doc, .txt. or .rft) to Dr. Denise E. Agosto: yalsaresearch@gmail.com. Submissions should be between 4,000 and 7,000 words double spaced.¹⁴

The editor will acknowledge all submissions, and the review process generally takes 10 to 12 weeks. The review process includes an initial assessment by the editor: if the submission reflects the journal’s mission statement and is considered for inclusion, it’s sent to at least two reviewers for a double-blind review process, where the next step is determined. The manuscript will then be a) accepted for publication, b) accepted pending revisions, c) sent back for major revisions and resubmission, d) rejected, or e) deemed not appropriate for the journal, with other journals suggested.¹⁵

Editorial tone: While the articles are stringently peer reviewed and of professional quality, they are extremely readable in tone, friendly, engaging, and concise, and deliver excellent information to the reader.¹⁶

Style guide used: Chicago Manual of Style (15th Edition), for overall formatting. Random House Webster’s College Dictionary for spelling & usage. See the Author Guidelines for specifics.¹⁷

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

LIS authors with even a modicum of interest in working with teens should take a look at this journal and consider submitting an article for publication. It is extremely helpful that, even if your paper is rejected by JRLYA, the editors will suggest alternate publications for you to submit to.

Writing topics cover every aspect of YA/librarianship you can think of. A 2013 article discussed biracial identity in adolescent books, with the author delving into her own ethnic and racial identity to set the tone.¹⁸ Another article was about the popular X-Men characters, focusing specifically on X-Women’s sexual objectivity.¹⁹ You’ll find this article alongside a more research-oriented study on South Korean adolescent immigrants,²⁰ or issues in juvenile detention center libraries.²¹ A more recent article focuses on the ongoing debate surrounding multiculturalism in books, specifically, “Who is or is not
allowed to create multicultural literature?” ²²

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Not available.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The journal is purely online²³ and is geared towards anyone interested in YA library services and studies.²⁴ Written in American English,²⁵with references to all sorts of young adult literature and pop culture subjects.²⁶

Reader characteristics: JRLYA is intended for LIS researchers, faculty, students, and professional librarians interested in young adult library services.²⁷

Per the Author Guidelines, the journal asks authors to consider the following style points when submitting for publication:

Choose terms that reflect YALSA’s philosophy.
Avoid sexist language.
Articles should be of a scholarly, research-based nature.²⁸

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers are likely very familiar with LIS subject matter. However, the journal doesn’t just cater to professional librarians, per their website: “The scope of the journal includes all aspects of library services to young adults at every level and for all types of libraries.”²⁹ So, if including LIS jargon in your submission, make sure it’s explained or easily inferred within the context.

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

Esteemed authors such as Anthony Bernier, Carol C. Kuhlthau, and Virginia Walter have written for and commended the efforts of JRLYA.³⁰ Readers can connect with YALSA on Facebook, Twitter, various blogs, and via a special wiki YALSA maintains to facilitate research and discussion of all things young adult. This is a wonderful publication, to read or write for; it is helpful and respectful of authors and takes its content very seriously, while never being dull or stuffy. In short, JRLYA is a great source of YA information.

Last updated: February 5, 2018

References

Show 30 footnotes

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