Wiki Tags Archives: Public libraries

Education Libraries

By iSchool Admin on March 6, 2013 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Education Libraries

ISSN: XXXX-XXXX

Website: http://educationlibraries.mcgill.ca/index

Purpose, objective, or mission: “Education Libraries is an electronic, refereed journal of the Special Libraries Association’s (SLA) Education Division. It offers a forum for new and challenging ideas in education, and library and information science. It also explores the effect of new technologies on the library profession and library and information curriculum.”¹

Target audience: The target audience is the membership of the Special Libraries Association, which includes those employed at “a variety of venues, including special libraries and information centers, academic libraries, public libraries, and school libraries.”²

Publisher: Special Libraries Association, Education Division³

Peer reviewed? Yes⁴

Type: LIS and Education; scholarly⁵

Medium: Online, open access since 2015⁶

Content: Education Libraries publishes scholarly articles, book reviews, member profiles, and case studies.⁷ Recent feature articles include faculty-librarian collaboration, 3-D printing in education libraries, collection development, and school library advocacy.⁸

Frequency of publication: Biannually⁹

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://educationlibraries.mcgill.ca/about/submissions#authorGuidelines

Types of contributions accepted: Education Libraries accepts “research studies, descriptive narratives, or other thoughtful considerations of topics of interest to the education information professional. Manuscripts focusing on issues relevant to more general concerns either in the field of education or in the field of library and information science are also welcome provided they include a significant component specifically germane to education, libraries and librarianship.”¹⁰

Submission and review process: Authors submitting manuscripts are required to register using a link provided on the publication website.¹¹ All submissions will be considered for publication and are subject to the double-blind peer review process. Inquiries about particular manuscripts may be sent via email to the editor. See the publication website for details.¹²

Editorial tone: Scholarly¹³

Style guide used: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) style manual, most recent edition¹⁴

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

Education Libraries presents an interesting opportunity for LIS writers from different types of libraries to discuss and share information that is related to education. This journal is well established, which means writers can be assured that they are submitting their work to a credible source and contributing to the scholarly conversation.

The journal is indexed in Education Libraries is indexed in ERIC, EBSCOhost’s Education Collection, and Library Literature.¹⁵

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: According to the SLA’s website there are more than 9,000 association members based in more than 75 countries.¹⁶ Information about exactly how many are a part of the Education Division is not available.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Just as members of the Special Libraries Association are located around the world, the readers of Education Libraries are also international.¹⁷ Because this is an international publication, differences in language and cultural practice should be considered.

Reader characteristics: It is safe to assume the readers of this publication are interested in academic libraries and their role in education. Due to the professional focus of this publication the readership is largely comprised of individuals already working in academic libraries with considerable experience in the field. The readers of this publication are likely to value education and research. They are likely to be interested in learning about new technologies as well as in innovative teaching methods. Recent articles demonstrate a general acceptance of new technologies and changes in librarianship.¹⁸

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: It is likely that, as library employees, a majority of readers are very familiar with LIS subject matter. Additionally, we can assume that the readers are familiar with new information technologies issues as well as issues surrounding the growth of digital content in library collections.¹⁹

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

The most important characteristic of the Education Libraries audience is its interest in education and technology related to instruction and learning. Authors must keep in mind the fact that this journal is scholarly, and the widest audience is those who work in higher education libraries, therefore well researched studies are particularly important. Potential contributors writing book or technology reviews as well as opinion pieces may want to relate their subject back to its value to learning in order to appeal to the audience.

Last updated: April 13, 2017

References

Show 19 footnotes

Yosemite Highway Herald

By Bethany Baker on August 26, 2011 in

Excuse the mess! Profile update in progress.

Per contact with the editor: both the Yosemite Highway Herald and Foothill Express were purchased by the editor and are currently being merged under the name The Yosemite Express. The creation of a website for The Yosemite Express is in progress. This wiki will continue to be updated as we receive information from the editor.

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Yosemite Highway Herald

ISSN: N/A

Website: http://www.yosemitehwyherald.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: The Yosemite Highway Herald is a free monthly newspaper featuring local news and events for Southern Tuolumne County and Northern Mariposa County in California.¹

Target audience: The community residents of the greater Yosemite area, including parts of Tuolumne and Mariposa counties.²

Publisher: Yosemite Highway Herald, LLC.³

Peer reviewed? No.

Type: Civilian newspaper.

Medium: Print and online.⁴

Content: Local community news, stories, historical news, and current events news of the greater Yosemite area to the local communities.⁵

Frequency of publication: Monthly.⁶

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: None provided.

Types of contributions accepted: Articles and letters to the editor.

Submission and review process: Email submissions to info [at] yosemitehwyherald.com.

Editorial tone: Informal and folksy.

Style guide used: None stated.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

This newspaper would be of interest to LIS authors who are local to the area and want to promote library services and events or discuss issues facing the library. Past issues have featured library-related articles, including one in support of the Groveland library.⁷

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: “We reach 4,000 households plus 500 extra copies are distributed in local businesses throughout the area.”⁸

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The Yosemite Highway Herald is published for the local residents of the communities of Big Oak Flat, Buck Meadows, Coulterville, Greeley Hill, Groveland, La Grange, Lake Don Pedro, Moccasin, Pine Mountain Lake, and surrounding area. This publication is printed in English.⁹

Reader characteristics: The population served by the Yosemite Highway Herald include young people, families, older adults, and retired persons. Professional interests and workplaces would vary widely given the nature of the audience. This diverse audience shares an interest in the local community and an appreciation of natural beauty of the area.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: The readers of this publication would not have an expert knowledge of library and information science jargon. An author would be expected to provide an introductory background to terms about information services. Also, the author would be expected to write in a manner that would encourage to show the value of library services to the local community.

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

Past issues of the Yosemite Highway Herald have featured articles on topics such as: the local blood drive, free classes and workshops, the Laverini Sawmill dedication, information on how and where to get burn permits, and local events, festivals, and concerts.. Writers would need to be very familiar with the area and contribute information directly relevant to community members.

Last updated: September 28, 2018

References

Show 9 footnotes

Santa Cruz Sentinel

By Bethany Baker on August 26, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Santa Cruz Sentinel or Santa Cruz County Sentinel

ISSN: 1072-446X (Print)¹

Website: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: To provide news and information to residents of the Santa Cruz area.

Target audience: Populace of Santa Cruz and surrounding smaller townships.

Publisher: MediaNews Group.²

Peer reviewed? No.

Type: Civilian newspaper.

Medium: Print and online.

Content: International, national, state, and local news; sports; entertainment; community notices; reviews; and various other topics of local interest.

Frequency of publication: Daily.³

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/submit-letters

Types of contributions accepted: News, photos or videos, letters to the editors, and op-eds.⁴

Submission and review process: Submissions for news, photos or videos should be emailed to newsroom [at] santacruzsentinel.com.

Op-eds should be no more than 650 words and should be sent to editorial [at] santacruzsentinel.com.

Letters should be no more than 150 words and should be sent to editorial [at] santacruzsentinel.com. “We do not accept anonymous letters. Letter-writers should include their full name – initials aren’t enough – as well as a street address and telephone number. We don’t publish those details in the newspaper, but need the information for verification purposes.”⁵

Editorial tone: Informative.

Style guide used: None stated.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

The first reason for publishing in a local paper is to garner support for the local library, announce upcoming events, or bring issues to the attention of the community. The second reason to publish in the local paper is to begin attaching one’s name and voice to library issues, which may cause the author to be contacted in the future on similar subjects. In other words, become an expert (or at least a contact) for local library issues and events.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Unknown.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Readers reside in the Santa Cruz area. The Santa Cruz Sentinel is an English language publication.

Reader characteristics: According to the U.S. Census, the population of Santa Cruz County is 50.5% female, 49.5% male, and 87.0% White.⁶. Additionally, 40% of the population has obtained at least a Bachelor’s degree and the median household income is 78,000 dollars.⁷

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: As this is a lay publication, writers should not assume that readers know and understand LIS jargon, and thus should explain any LIS jargon they use in their work.

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

When writing and submitting pieces for publication, authors should be familiar with the area in order to tailor their piece to the concerns and interests of residents.

Last updated: September 27, 2020.

References

Show 7 footnotes

The Santa Barbara Independent

By Bethany Baker on August 26, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: The Santa Barbara Independent or Santa Barbara Indepedent

ISSN: N/A

Website: http://independent.com

Purpose, objective, or mission: A weekly newspaper and “the leading source for news, arts & entertainment, and lifestyle coverage in the greater Santa Barbara area.”¹

Target audience: “Our coverage and distribution extends from the heart of Santa Barbara northwest through Goleta and the Santa Ynez Valley, and then southeast through Montecito and Carpinteria, with presence in both Ojai and Ventura as well.”²

Publisher: Santa Barbara Independent, Inc.³

Peer reviewed? No.⁴

Type: Civilian newspaper.⁵

Medium: Print and online.⁶

Content: Local and national news, community events.⁷

Frequency of publication: Weekly.⁸

About the publication’s submission guidelines

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

Types of contributions accepted: Letters to the editor, longer and more thought out opinion pieces regarding an issue of critical importance to the Santa Barbara community (called a “Voice”), and “In Memoriams”, which are “eulogies for members of the Santa Barbara Community.”⁹

Submission and review process: Proposals and submissions should be sent via the contact form on the Contact Us page. Choose the appropriate box based on your submission (“Submit Letter or Voice,” or “Submit In Memoriam”). The word count is 50-250 words for Letters, 600-850 for Voices, and 500-800 words for In Memoriams. Include your name, address, and telephone number in the submission.¹⁰

Editorial tone: Informative.

Style guide used: None mentioned.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

The Santa Barabara Independent provides an opportunity for authors to reach their local community with information about their library or library issues.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Print circulation of 40,500 and 492,000 webpage visits per month.¹¹

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Santa Barbara County residents and visitors. The publication is written in the English language. Culturally, Santa Barbara is a tourist location and has a changing, diverse population.

Reader characteristics: According to their media kit, 62% of all residents in Southern Santa Barbara County read The Independent, with 100,000 people indicating that they read The Independent each week.¹² 29% of the readers are male while 62% are female. More than 75% of the readers have a college or post-graduate degree. The average household income of readers is $75,000 or higher, and the majority of readers (32%) are between the ages of 50-64.¹³

The Santa Barbara Independent is actively involved in community affairs and “supports civic engagement by hosting political forums; fosters recognition of arts and culture with annual awards for theater, dance, and culinary achievements; sponsors numerous community events; and raises money each fall for numerous nonprofits . . . ,”¹⁴ The reach of the Santa Barabara Independent spans outside of their dedicated readers and into the community it serves.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Given that most readers are college-educated, many are probably familiar with libraries to some degree; however, library jargon should be avoided.

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

Santa Barbara is a well-rounded community that appreciates its cultural diversity. Many educators reside in Santa Barbara and would appreciate knowing about services that are available to students of all ages. Potential authors have the benefit of reaching a cultured and educated community who will likely see writing about libraries as interesting and intriguing.

Last updated: September 26, 2020

References

Show 14 footnotes

San Francisco Business Times

By Bethany Baker on August 26, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: San Francisco Business Times

ISSN: 0890-0337 (Print)¹

Website: https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/

Purpose, objective, or mission: San Francisco Business Times is a publication focused on the business community and business news in San Francisco and the Bay Area.²

Target audience: This publication is aimed at businesses, corporations, and executives in the San Francisco Bay Area. They tend to publish rankings and lists of prominent corporations, so are very popular with marketing personnel.

Publisher: American City Business Journals, Inc.³

Peer reviewed? No.

Type: Civilian publication; local business journal.

Medium: Print and online.

Content: San Francisco Business Times publishes articles on businesses and business news in the San Francisco Area. They also compile a book of lists (ranking companies in various sectors by size and prominence) which is heavily used by marketing professionals.⁴

Frequency of publication: Weekly.⁵

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://www.bizjournals.com/about-us/help (Scroll down to “Do you accept press releases, news tips or story ideas?”)

Types of contributions accepted: “If it’s news about your company or a story tip, we want to hear it.”⁶

Submission and review process: You can fill out the form found on the Contact page, or use email, mail, fax, or telephone. “If you’re not certain of the person to contact, send it in care of the Editor. Please remember to include the name of a contact person and a business phone number.”⁷

Editorial tone: The San Francisco Business Times uses a traditional newspaper structure, leading with the most interesting information and following with more detail. The articles are generally short, punchy, and to the point.

Style guide used: Not listed.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

LIS authors could contact the editors to pitch ideas for stories about how libraries benefit the business community. There could be potential to highlight special libraries or public libraries: for example, a case study on how a special library’s research and information services supported a company or a story about how public libraries support job skill development or entrepreneurship. In addition, any writer seeking better exposure in the business community may want to post comments on the site.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: 15,828 paid circulation, with 868,293 unique monthly visitors to the website.⁸

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: It is available nationwide through its website, but the target audience is Northern California, Bay Area. The cultural make-up of readership is as diverse as the city itself, but the newspaper does not go out of its way to cover cross-cultural issues, except as they relate to business opportunities.

Reader characteristics: Readers are educated: 85% are college graduates. 80% of readers influence purchasing decisions at their company, while 62% are top management.⁹. The average household income of SF Business Times is $373,700.¹⁰

The readers of the SF Business Times are generally people doing business in the Bay Area (or looking to expand into the Bay Area). The businesses they work in are a mix, judging from the news coverage in the paper itself. There are articles on restaurants, office space, new construction, major retailers, employers relocating, and profiles of major local employers, and businesses that serve all these demographics.

This paper is businesslike in tone and subject matter. The people reading it may have a cross-section of political leanings, personal beliefs, and values, etc, but they are not interested in exploring them in this format. Any commentary outside of introducing business resources should be kept to a minimum, as it may alienate the readership.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: This audience is not knowledgeable about LIS subject matter, beyond what you would learn as part of a regular college education. Any library-oriented terminology should be explained. However, this would be a wonderful forum for marketing library resources to business people. People look to this newspaper for business opportunities, and new information resources would be a natural outgrowth of that.

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

The readers of the San Francisco Business Times are primarily interested in expanding their businesses; that is their motivation for reading this publication. Any writing that would help them with this goal would be well received. Authors should strive to write in a clear, businesslike tone, and to impart as much information as possible.

Last updated: September 28, 2020.

References

Show 10 footnotes

The Press-Enterprise

By Bethany Baker on August 26, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: The Press-Enterprise

ISSN: 0746-4258 (Print)¹

Website: http://www.pe.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: “Founded in 1878, we serve the readers of Riverside County, reporting and writing accurately and fairly, shining a light on injustice and defending the public’s right to know. Our staff of journalists live and work in the cities we cover, reporting on city government and local elections, crime, housing, school sports, entertainment and investigations of public corruption.”²

Target audience: Residents of Riverside County.

Publisher: Southern California News Group.³

Peer reviewed? No.⁴

Type: Civilian publication, newspaper.

Medium: Print and Online.⁵

Content: Local news is the central focus, with some coverage of national and world events. Events throughout Riverside County are featured. General news stories, event advertisements, and community-related editorials are the main content of this paper.

Frequency of publication: Daily.⁶

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://www.pe.com/share-your-news/

Types of contributions accepted: Letters to the editor, news releases for local stories and news, photos, and guest commentaries (opinion pieces).⁷

Submission and review process: Letters to the editor should be sent (without attachments) to opinions [at] scng.com and should be 150 words or less.

News releases should contain “the organization’s names and address, along with the name and daytime phone number of the individual to be contacted in case more information is needed.”⁸ Send the news release to macosta [at] scng.com at least two weeks in advance and paste the content of the message in the text field rather than sending it as an attachment. The news release should be no longer than 1 1/2 pages double-spaced.⁹

Photos should be sent to photo [at] scng.com and should have a focus on people participating in activities.¹⁰

Submit a guest commentary of 600 words or less via email to opinion [at] scng.com with a subject line of “Op-ed submission.” The Press-Enterprise looks for “topical commentary on public policy and social issues that are of general interest to our print and digital readership. We give preference to local, regional and California topics and writers.”¹¹ At the end of the email, include a couple of sentences explaining your position, city/county of residence, and any relevant background information.

Editorial tone: Straightforward news stories written in a clear and basic tone. The columns and editorials are written in an informal manner and often seek to represent the diversity of the community the paper serves.

Style guide used: None stated.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

Local library events are likely to be featured in the paper. Local librarians might find a potential audience if their article pertains to the local libraries and directly relates to the community. Many local libraries subscribe to this publication and all the staff-written news from the library electronic archives (1992-present) is available in the paper’s online archives.¹²

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: No circulation information specific to The Press-Enterprise was available. However, the Southern California News Group’s Media Kit mentions that the L.A. County Group Market, including Riverside County, has a daily circulation of 95,000 and a Sunday circulation of 157,000.¹³

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The paper is targeted to residents of Riverside County in California. According to the U.S. Census, the population of Riverside County is 50% Hispanic or Latino, and 40.6% of individuals in Riverside County speak a language other than English.¹⁴ While the newspaper is published in English, authors should be aware of the diverse cultures and languages in Riverside.

Reader characteristics: No information specific to readers of The Press-Enterprise was available, however, the readers of the Southern California News Group’s L.A. County Group Market is 51% female, 49% male, with an average household income of $111,981.¹⁵

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: As The Press-Enterprise is a civilian newspaper, the average reader probably has a layperson’s familiarity with LIS topics.

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

While the paper does discuss world news and events, potential authors must be aware that the primary goal of the paper is to support the local community. Articles and stories that focus on local news and events have a greater likelihood of being well received. The community the paper serves is highly diverse and contains readers with a variety of different cultures, backgrounds, and educations, and potential authors should be aware and respectful of this diversity.

Last updated: September 26, 2020

References

Show 15 footnotes

Mariposa Gazette

By Katie Wood on August 24, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Mariposa Gazette

ISSN: N/A

Website: http://www.mariposagazette.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: “California’s oldest weekly newspaper of continuous publication, covering Mariposa County like the stars.” ¹

Target audience: The population of Mariposa County in California and surrounding areas

Publisher: Nichole W. Little. ²

Peer reviewed? No.

Type: Newspaper.

Medium: Print and online, with a paid subscription to the newspaper required to view most online content.³

Content: News of local, state, and national interest, along with community information and events.

Frequency of publication: Weekly. ⁴

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: None.

Submission instructions: None provided, but those interested can send an email to mariposagazette@mariposagazette.com or editor@mariposagazette.com.⁵

Types of contributions accepted: Opinion pieces, news articles, sports reviews, music reviews, and community events.⁶

Submission and review process: None provided, but presumably editors will review the submitted article information.

Editorial tone: Informal tone reflecting the small town atmosphere and local flavor.

Style guide used: Not indicated.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

The Mariposa Gazette has a long history of covering local area news, people, and community events. The Gazette would be of interest to LIS authors who want to provide community articles and current events to the residents of Mariposa county. There is potential to discuss LIS trends, issues, programming, and community events, as long as it is maintained through a local lens.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: As of 2016, the Circulation Estimate is 5,100.⁷

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The Mariposa Gazette is published for the members of California’s Mariposa County and surrounding areas. The newspaper is published in English.⁸

Reader characteristics: When looking at Mariposa County census demographics, the population is approximately 17,000 residents, predominantly Caucasian (89%) and English-speaking. Majority have a high school education (90%), some have attained a bachelor degree or higher (23%). The Median household income is around $50,000, with about 15% of the population living in poverty. ⁹

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: The readers of the Mariposa Gazette would likely not have knowledge of information science subject matters and would expect an introductory level of LIS topics to be explained without jargon.

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

The Mariposa Gazette is a local community newspaper. The readers of this publication look for articles about Mariposa County and surrounding areas. News items, sports, home, and life are just a few of the topics covered in the publication every week .¹⁰

The future authors of this publication would be expected to cover news items of local interest. Articles about library and information services would need to be focused on the needs of the local area and residents. Future authors could also write articles on future information services and resources.

Last updated: October 25, 2020

References

Show 10 footnotes

The Writer Magazine

By Bethany Baker on April 27, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: The Writer Magazine

ISSN: 0043-9517 (Print) and 21663-0046 (Online)¹

Website: http://www.writermag.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: According to the online submission guidelines, “The Writer is dedicated to expanding and supporting the work of professional and aspiring writers with a straightforward presentation of industry information, writing instruction and professional and personal motivation. In the pages of our magazine, writers share experiences, expertise, struggles, advice, successes and suggestions.”²

Target audience: Professional and aspiring writers.³

Publisher: Madavor Media.⁴

Peer reviewed? No.

Type: Civilian publication for writers.

Medium: Print and online.

Content: Features instructive articles on how to improve writing and get work published. Also includes up-to-date market lists for aspiring and experienced writers and book reviews for newly published material in the field.

Frequency of publication: Monthly.⁵

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://www.writermag.com/the-magazine/submission-guidelines/

Types of contributions accepted: “We are interested in how-to stories, reported pieces, narrative essays, and profiles of writers and others in the field.” ⁶

Submission and review process: Query first. All queries via email to tweditorial [at] madavor.com along with your name, a short bio, an outline of your story idea, estimated word count, and a brief description of your background. “We receive hundreds of pitches every week and cannot respond to all of them. If you haven’t heard from us in two weeks, please feel free to move your submission to another publication.”⁷

Editorial tone: Step-by-step how-to instructional advice, written in an easy-to-digest tone. Narrative essays should provide some take-away advice and benefits to a writing audience, but should not be self-promoting. Tone should support aspiring and experienced writers alike, although beginning writers are more likely to read the magazine.⁸

Style guide used: No style guide or preferences are stated in the submission guidelines.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

No matter the field, all writers share the same pitfalls, challenges, and successes. LIS authors can convey their experiences and even review books they found helpful to the craft of writing. One column, entitled “Breakthrough,” publishes first-person narratives as new writers “break through” to publication and all authors are eligible to submit upon publishing their first article (presumably in an LIS publication).⁹ LIS authors are also great at discovering and organizing resources for writers, which would be great for the how-to instructional features, such as helping authors do research for articles.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: 32,000 print and digital readers; more than 40,000 opt-in e-newsletter subscribers; 51,000 unique monthly website visitors.¹⁰

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Published in the United States; available by subscription internationally as well.¹¹ Readers are well cultured and interested in literature and writing as an art. Literary and writing jargon can be used.

Reader characteristics: The readers of The Writer are 27% male and 72% female. The average household income is $82,000 and 64% of readers are college graduates¹² Readers of The Writer are literary in nature. Readers want informative, how-to advice and stories about how to succeed at the craft and business of writing. There is no place for negativity regarding the profession in this publication. Readers have one important thing in common, they are passionate about the craft of writing. Because writing is mostly a freelance profession, information related to managing a freelance career is also well received and well featured in the magazine. Another important thing to remember is that this publication caters to all types of writers, which does give a broad array of possible types of readers to target.

Readers of The Writer are only interested in reading articles written in a supportive and encouraging tone with the honest intention of helping other writers further their craft. Readers expect The Writer to teach them how to write all types of articles and stories. Readers are generally open to new ideas on the publication’s subject matter and believe they too can become professional writers.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers of this publication have limited knowledge of LIS subject matter, except as it relates to book reviews and literature. Readers can easily digest writing that dissects published works, and also can appreciate labeling materials for certain audiences. Readers will not understand technical LIS jargon, but they will appreciate information that will help them use library and research resources more efficiently.

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

The most obvious characteristic that readers of The Writer have in common is that they are all writers. While it can be assumed readers are literary to a certain degree, their level of technical knowledge when discussing LIS-related issues or services must be presented in a language that is easy for someone unfamiliar to LIS jargon to understand. Readers of this publication could benefit from research instruction, such as how to research a great book or article idea, but it must be presented in layperson terms. Potential authors should consider the level of research skills to be moderate to none among readership, and therefore mimic the publication’s simplified tone when providing advice on these or related topics. Furthermore, potential authors should keep in mind that readers expect articles to be very descriptive, with step-by-step instructions on how to achieve whatever goal the article promises. This style is what keeps readers interested and coming back issue after issue.

Last updated: September 6, 2020

References

Show 12 footnotes

Tri-City Voice

By Bethany Baker on April 27, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Tri-City Voice

ISSN: N/A

Website: http://www.tricityvoice.com

Purpose, objective, or mission: An independent newspaper serving the southeast San Francisco Bay Area.¹

Target audience: The target audience includes laypersons interested in local news and events in the Castro Valley, Fremont, Hayward, Milpitas, Newark, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Sunol, and Union City areas.²

Publisher: Tri-City Voice.³

Peer reviewed? No.

Type: Civilian newspaper.

Medium: Print and online.⁴

Content: Coverage of local news, art, culture, sport, entertainment, and events in the southeast Bay Area.⁵

Frequency of publication: Weekly.⁶

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: No submission guidelines are available online. There is an online form on the Contact page to fill out for story ideas or letters to the editor.⁷

Types of contributions accepted: The newspaper accepts letters to the editor and articles about local events and news.

Submission and review process: Submit Opinions, Letters to the Editor, or article ideas through the online form.⁸

Editorial tone: Casual and informal.

Style guide used: A specific style guide was not indicated.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

This is a local newspaper with an audience limited to a specific region. However, because of the sense of the small audience, information and reports about the local libraries would be of great interest to the readers of the newspaper. This would be a great venue to submit manuscripts about events in the library, programs, library news, and interviews with authors.

This newspaper does not have a wide readership within the LIS profession so articles written may not get noticed by a large audience within this community. However, Hayward Public Libraries and libraries within the Alameda and Santa Clara County library system fall within the areas covered by this newspaper. Librarians who submit articles for publication will gain recognition within their own library systems and possibly further if the article is of interest to those outside of the city or county libraries. Publishing in this newspaper will also provide readers with a closer look at library services. Those interested in fulfilling tenure requirements should not consider this publication as it is not peer reviewed and does not include research.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: “Employees distribute 25,000 copies each week to thousands of locations throughout the community,” and the website receives over 1,800 visitors per day.⁹

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The newspaper is delivered within the Northern California cities of Hayward, Fremont, Union City, Newark, Milpitas, and Sunol.¹⁰ This publication serves a diverse population. Scholarly tone should be avoided and articles should be clear for readers who claim English as a second language.

Reader characteristics: The southeast San Francisco area is highly diverse, and the newspaper is devoted to covering local issues and interests.¹¹ The audience for this newspaper may not have a general interest in libraries, but will be interested in library services, issues, and events that affect the community.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: A knowledge of LIS subject matter shouldn’t be assumed.

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

As in many cities, the audience for this newspaper is very diverse in terms of language, education, ethnicity/race, income, profession, age, and areas of interest. It is important for the author to write about topics that the readers will find of interest. They may want to consider writing articles about computer use and classes, using online and print resources available at the library, and featured authors or new books. Articles that would be of interest to English language learners are also important. However, the articles should not be filled with LIS jargon or go into depth about library topics that practitioners would be more interested in.

Based on the articles published in the newspaper, it can be assumed that the readers of this newspaper are very community-oriented, have strong family values, and are interested in different cultures. Authors should take all of this into consideration when submitting manuscripts for publication.

Last updated: Septemeber 6, 2020

References

Show 11 footnotes

The Sun Magazine

By Bethany Baker on April 27, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: The Sun Magazine

ISSN: 0744-9666¹

Website: http://thesunmagazine.org

Purpose, objective, or mission: Per their website, “The Sun is an independent, ad-free magazine that for more than forty years has used words and photographs to evoke the splendor and heartache of being human. Each monthly issue celebrates life, but not in a way that ignores its complexity. The personal essays, short stories, interviews, poetry, and photographs that appear in The Sun’s pages explore the challenges we face and the moments when we rise to meet them.”²

Target audience: The target audience is the general public; specifically, The Sun targets readers who are intelligent, educated, concerned about community and social issues, and enjoy reading stories, essays, and interviews that they might not find in more mainstream publications.

Publisher: The Sun Publishing Company, Inc.³

Peer reviewed? No.⁴

Type: Civilian magazine.

Medium: Print and online.

Content: Essays, interviews, fiction, poetry, and black and white photography.⁵

Frequency of publication: Monthly.⁶

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://thesunmagazine.org/about/submission_guidelines/writing

Types of contributions accepted: The Sun accepts submissions of essays, interviews, fiction, poetry, and photos. There is no minimum word count, but submissions of longer than 7,000 words are rarely accepted. The Sun favors personal writing, but is also looking for “provocative pieces on political and cultural issues.”⁷ Interview pieces should focus on “innovative and provocative thinkers,” and The Sun is particularly interested in interviews with women and people of color.⁸ Submissions may also be made to magazine’s “Readers Write” series, in which readers respond to a given theme each month with a short, nonfiction piece.⁹ Black and white photos are also accepted. The Sun is not interested in photojournalism, but instead, photos that show “unique perspectives on the world around us — especially human interactions.” ¹⁰

Submission and review process: The Sun does accept submissions online via Submittable. As of September 2020, mail-in submissions are suspended due to the coronavirus. Submissions must be typed (single-spaced is acceptable for poetry, double-spaced for all other types) and sent with a self-addressed stamped envelope. The review process typically takes three to six months but may be longer. Queries are suggested prior to submitting interview pieces. Interview pieces can be lightly edited prior to submission and will be further revised upon acceptance.¹¹

Editorial tone: Personal, provocative writing preferred.¹²

Style guide used: None specified.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

The Sun offers an excellent opportunity for LIS authors to reach a more mainstream audience than an industry publication. Since it appeals to people who tend to be educated, socially active, and well-read, The Sun provides an audience who will likely be interested in issues facing libraries and their roles in society and community, including funding challenges, services to minorities, and trends in information literacy. Interestingly, The Sun provides subscriptions for free or at reduced rates to institutions such as prisons and homeless shelters (and often includes submissions from inmates and other “marginalized” members of society)¹³ Therefore, it would provide a forum for submission of pieces concerning library services to these populations.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: 70,000.¹⁴

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The Sun’s publication is read and distributed throughout the United States. At this time, The Sun is only available in English. However, it does appeal to a multicultural, multi-generational audience, often presenting viewpoints from minority and disenfranchised populations.

Reader characteristics: Reader information is unavailable. The magazine’s content would suggest that readers care about human issues and are informed about national and global politics. The Sun is available in many jails, prisons, treatment centers, and homeless shelters, so many readers are in fact currently homeless or incarcerated.¹⁵

This publication is not targeted toward any particular profession. It does attract a number of writers and other artists, as well as those who have an appreciation for good writing and photography. Many of the readers who send letters to The Sun or submit to the “Readers Write” section work in the nonprofit sector, or in various “human service” fields such as addiction treatment, counseling, health care, and services to homeless people.

The Sun is a liberal publication, with an audience that likely embraces diversity, is politically active and involved in social activism, and values creativity and artistic expression. It is likely that readers hold education, literacy, and librarianship in high esteem, but may not necessarily be well-versed in issues relating to these areas.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Since The Sun is a civilian publication that does not specialize in library and information science, audience knowledge of LIS subject matter cannot be assumed. It can be assumed that readers are supporters of libraries, and may have knowledge of library services from the patron’s point of view. While it is likely that issues facing libraries may be of interest to this publication’s readership, LIS jargon should be avoided.

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

Readers of The Sun share an interest in the arts and in creating a better world for the future. They are concerned about the environment, education, and other issues that will have a long-term impact on our world. They may be politically active, usually at the grass-roots level.

The Sun‘s audience will be interested in and responsive to articles such as those about the roles of libraries as cultural institutions; funding challenges faced by public libraries; educational opportunities offered to children through library programs; services to immigrants and other non-native English speakers; and services to populations such as homeless adults and children and inmates.

Authors who are interested in being published in The Sun will want to ensure that their submissions deal with current issues facing libraries. They will want to focus less on the technical aspects of librarianship, and more on the social and cultural implications. They may want to consider interviews with leaders in the field of library and information science who are implementing innovative programs and ideas, especially those who are working to bring library services to traditionally underserved populations.

Last updated: September 8, 2020

References

Show 15 footnotes

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