Publishing in the Archives Profession
A blog about scholarship, writing, and publishing for archivists.
I am on vacation so there will be no posts for a few weeks. When I return, I’ll do my best to catch up but of course may miss a few announcement deadlines.
I also want to say thank you to everyone who follows and reads this blog. So far this year there have been 80 posts, over 6,000 views, and over 3,500 visitors. I am so appreciative that people use this resource!
Happy writing, researching, presenting, and publishing!
The Society of Georgia Archivists Annual Meeting Program Committee proudly presents the theme for the 2025 annual meeting: Archivists “Macon” It Happen: Back to Basics.
The Committee invites you to attend the meeting, to be held at Middle Georgia State University in Macon, Georgia on Thursday, October 2, 2025.
Our 2025 program invites session proposals that will encompass presentations, working groups, interest groups, skill labs, mini workshops, and demonstrations on a broad spectrum of archival work as we take it back to the basics. Presentations will examine how archivists accomplish their work without reinventing the wheel – how do we leverage existing tools, workflows, and archival community connections? While proposals on all aspects of archival practice and research will be considered, the Program Committee is especially interested in the following key topics:
The committee welcomes proposals from anyone involved with archives, including archival staff and volunteers, students, new professionals, community organizers, researchers, and allied professionals.
The following are the session types we are accepting this year:
Proposals can be submitted through the online submission form. The deadline for proposal submissions is May 30, 2025.
The Program Committee has created a Google spreadsheet to connect individuals seeking ideas and/or collaborators for session and poster proposals. The document is not monitored by SGA or the Program Committee and is not part of the official submission process.
For more information about the 2025 Annual Meeting, contact a member of the planning team:
We are delighted to invite papers for the international workshop ‘Museums in Motion: New Frontiers in Chinese Museum Studies’, to be held in person and online at the University of Siena on 13-14 November 2025.
Studying Chinese museums is both an intriguing and rewarding pursuit, offering a valuable perspective on the histories and cultures of China and its unprecedented transformations over the past three decades. These institutions house an extraordinary wealth of historical, artistic, and cultural artefacts, providing deep insight into China’s long and complex past, as well as its multilayered interactions with the world today. From ancient bronzes and calligraphy to contemporary art and political exhibitions, museums in China serve as dynamic spaces where history is preserved, interpreted, and debated. They shape narratives, influence national and local identities, and even serve political functions. The way history and culture are presented—what is emphasized, omitted, or reframed—offers a revealing glimpse into China’s evolving relationship with its past and present.
At the same time, questions of accessibility and representation remain central. While major state-run museums, such as the National Museum of China, present grand, state-approved narratives, smaller independent museums sometimes offer alternative perspectives, occasionally challenging official histories. This raises critical discussions about who controls historical narratives and how they are curated. Beyond their role as cultural and historical institutions, Chinese museums are at the forefront of technological and curatorial innovation. Digital exhibitions, AI-driven curation, and new approaches to audience engagement are transforming how visitors experience history and culture. But what does this mean for museum studies as a field? Are existing theories and methodologies sufficient to analyze these developments, or do we need new frameworks to understand this evolving landscape?
Furthermore, museums play an increasingly significant role in China’s modern cultural and economic strategies. The country has invested heavily in building and modernizing these institutions, signalling both a commitment to preserving heritage, and an effort to enhance cultural tourism internally and China’s cultural influences externally. Yet, this also raises fundamental questions: Are museums primarily spaces for education, instruments of soft power, or engines of commercial gain? How do they compare to museums in other parts of the world? Ultimately, studying Chinese museums is not just about appreciating artefacts—it is about understanding the intersections of history, culture, politics and society. Museums are not just neutral spaces; they actively participate in shaping national identity and public memory.
Objectives
Given China’s rapid cultural, political, and technological transformations, this workshop aims to explore the current landscape of Chinese museum studies. It seeks to foster international collaboration by bringing together scholars, curators, policymakers, and practitioners from diverse perspectives. The event will serve as a unique forum for critical dialogue, interdisciplinary exchange, and the rethinking of future directions in Chinese museum studies.
We aim to collect contributions to publish an edited volume with a leading publisher in the field in 2026/2027.
Scope
We encourage interdisciplinary approaches and welcome submissions in English that engage with a broad range of research topics, projects, and case studies, from practitioners, policymakers, and scholars from different perspectives and disciplines, including but not limited to: Archaeology; Art and Art History; Anthropological and Ethnographic Studies; Sociological Perspectives; Political Science and International Relations; Economic and Business Approaches; Media and Communication Studies; Museum Studies and Curatorial Practices; Conservation and Heritage Management; Exhibition Design and Interpretation; Education and Pedagogical Approaches; Gender and Feminist Studies; Postcolonial and Decolonial Studies; Science and Technology Studies; and Philosophical and Ethical Considerations.
Key questions the workshop seeks to address include (but are not limited to):
Dates: 13–14 November 2025
Format: Hybrid (Online & In-Person)
Hosting University: University of Siena (Department of Philology and Literary Criticism) – Arezzo Campus
Venue: Logge del Grano Hall, Piazzetta Logge del Grano 5, 52100 Arezzo, Italy
Presentation Format: Papers should not exceed 20 minutes, followed by a 5-minute discussion.
Submission Guidelines: Please send an abstract (250 words)along with a bio (max. 100 words, detailing affiliation, career stage and disciplinary background).
Important Dates:
Fee: Attendance at the workshop is free. Participants attending the in-person session shall cover their own travel and accommodation.
Proposal Submission: Please send proposals in a single email to all organizers at the following addresses:
Ornella De Nigris: ornella.denigris@unisi.it|Cangbai Wang: C.Wang6@westminster.ac.uk |Sofia Bollo: sofia.bollo@uzh.ch
Museums 2026 – Call for Submissions for Afterlives (Issue #11)
What does it mean to be alive? To be dead? To exist in a state beyond?
An afterlife can be a refusal, it can be the archive’s inability to forget, the museum’s struggle to unmake itself, the artifact that resists its own display. An afterlife can be a haunting, a presence that insists, a structure that lingers past its collapse. An afterlife can be a release, an object freed from the logic that once defined it, a collection finding life in new hands, a museum breaking apart to make space for something unimagined.
Submission Deadline: January 5, 2026, 11:59 PM (CST)
Submission Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjlnJZYMnaMP7GCEKtt-Y5U7B654xSBF4ASmT84AwUvlwtzw/viewform?pli=1
Open Session Call for Papers: Using Oral History to Document the Histories of Library Associations and Evolving Library Practice
Library History Special Interest Group with IFLA Sections of Preservation and Conservation, Information Technology, Library and Research Services for Parliaments, Library Theory and Research, and the Kazakhstan Library Union
Session Theme:
A Focus on Diverse Communities and Ethical Preservation in the Digital Age
Libraries and archives play a pivotal role in documenting the histories of library associations, yet challenges persist in preserving these narratives—particularly those of underrepresented communities and born-digital records. This call for papers invites contributions that explore the opportunities and challenges of using oral history to document the histories of library associations and their evolving practices, with a focus on diversity, collaboration, and preservation in the digital age.
Call for Papers:
The IFLA Special Interest Group Library History, together with the IFLA Sections of Preservation and Conservation, Information Technology, Parliamentary Libraries, Library Theory and Research, (to be confirmed) and the Kazakhstan Library Union are seeking proposals for papers to be presented at a session to be held at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Astana, Kazakhstan, 18-22 August 2025. Papers should reflect the conference theme, “Uniting Knowledge, Building the Future”
Themes and Objectives
This call aims to advance discussions around oral history’s role in documenting library association histories, addressing critical questions such as (not limited to.):
Contributions are encouraged to address the following themes:
1. Oral history and archival theory
2. Diversity and sustainability in oral history projects
3. Preserving born-digital content
4. Global perspectives on library association histories
5. Innovative approaches and future directions
Why Participate?
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a global dialogue on documenting library association histories, addressing pressing issues in the preservation of oral and born-digital histories, and shaping future practices in the profession.
Submission Guidelines
Proposals should include a title, abstract (max. 300 words), and a brief biography of the author(s). Please submit your proposals to [insert contact email] by [insert deadline].
90 Minutes
Important dates & deadlines:
Submission guidelines
We invite submissions of research papers, case studies, and reflective essays that align with the themes above. Join us in advancing the historical and cultural preservation of our profession, ensuring that diverse voices and digital records are not only documented but celebrated for generations to come.
Proposals should include:
Send proposals via email to: IFLA LIBHIST SIG <iflalibhistsig@gmail.com>
Use subject line: WLIC 2025 LIBHIS-SIG
Please note:
Call for Nominations
“The Distinguished Service in Library History Award is presented annually by the ALA Library History Round Table (LHRT) and honors the career of a person who has a lifetime of scholarship and service in the field of library history. This non-monetary award is intended to be given to an individual who has a record of contributions; who demonstrates length, breadth, and depth of involvement in library history; and who has had a significant impact on the work of the ALA Library History Round Table or on the library history community at large.”
Deadline: April 30, 2025
To learn more: https://lhrt.news/2025/04/03/call-for-nominations-2025-distinguished-service-in-library-history-award/
| Approach privacy protected records with confidence! Join Megan K. Friedel and Ashlyn Velte, authors of the recently released Providing Access to Privacy-Protected Records at Public Institutions in the Age of Radical Empathy: Cases and Considerations, in conversation with Menzi L. Behrnd-Klodt, author of Modules 5 and 6 in Rights in the Digital Era, for a conversation about modern considerations surrounding privacy laws and professional ethical standards. The panel takes place April 11, 12:00–1:00 p.m. CT, and will conclude with a Q&A session with all three authors. |
The Mander Jones Awards Committee is pleased to announce that the call for nominations for the 29th annual Mander Jones Awards – Publications is now open!
These awards recognise excellence in publications relating to archives and recordkeeping. They are named in honour of Phyllis Mander Jones, a founding member of the Archives Section of the Library Association of Australia (later the ASA) and co-editor of the first issue of Archives & Manuscripts.
Works published in 2024 are eligible for nomination.
Nominations close Friday 6 June 2025.
You can submit your nomination(s) (electronic and hard copy) via our online nomination form in our new applications portal. You will need to create an account to nominate. You can save your progress and return at a later date to complete your nomination. You can also access and view any completed submissions.
A copy of any nominated hard copy publication must be sent to the Mander Jones Award Committee and postmarked prior to the nomination deadline. You can find full details on how to send hard copy nominations on our website and within the online nomination form.
You can find full details about nominating for the 29th Mander Jones Award – Publications on our website.
If you have any queries about the Mander Jones Awards, please contact Louise Trott, the Mander Jones Award Secretary.
If you have any questions about the online nomination form or submitting your online nomination, please contact the ASA Office.
Grant Writing Collaborations in Academic Librarianship
Dr. Addison Lucchi
Instructional & Research Librarian | Professor
MidAmerica Nazarene University
About this Edited Collection
This edited collection focuses on effective strategies and best practices for fostering collaborative grant-writing initiatives among academic libraries, faculty, and external organizations. In many institutions, grant proposals are developed in isolation, often without direct collaboration with the library as an academic unit. However, through collaboration between academic libraries and other departments across campus, transformative projects can be designed to provide lasting change for the entire academic community. Drawing on a rich array of case studies from diverse academic libraries nationwide, the book highlights successful collaborations that have resulted in meaningful change. It also offers a wealth of practical guidance on best practices, templates, checklists, writing tools, and frameworks for developing innovative grant proposals that center on strategic collaboration.
Readers will discover how to identify potential collaborators, navigate the complexities of joint proposals, and leverage library resources to enhance project outcomes. By centering on strategic collaboration, this collection equips librarians and faculty with the insights and skills needed to craft impactful grant projects that not only secure funding but also advance institutional goals and enrich the academic experience for the entire community.
ACRL Press
Chapter topics may focus on, but are not limited to the following:
Case Studies in Successful Grant Writing Collaboration & Project Implementation:
Grant Writing Tools and Resources:
Other topics are welcome, and you are encouraged to submit your proposals.
We welcome proposals from any authors who have written and managed grant projects as a part of their academic library, or who have collaborated with academic libraries on their campuses. Particularly, we are searching for clear examples and case studies of grant-writing collaborations, including how academic libraries have collaborated with external departments and organizations to create meaningful change in their communities. Case study chapters will include details on the grant search process, project development, grant writing process, and project implementation. Additionally, we seek chapters that provide a variety of practical tips and tools for academic library grant-writers, drawing upon experience, including practical templates, checklists, toolkits, etc.
Each case study chapter (4,000 to 8,000 words) should also include practical lessons learned through experiences and advice for future grant-writers. Each tools and resources chapter (2,000 to 6,000 words) should include usable resources, tools, lists, etc. to facilitate and improve the grant-writing process.
Proposals for all chapters should include 1) a proposed title for the chapter; 2) an abstract for the chapter; 3) a brief outline for the chapter; and 4) a list of practical takeaways, lessons learned, or action steps for the reader.
Tentative Timeline:
Please note that a 400-500 word abstract is required (and must be submitted via a shared Google doc in the submission form) and should include an overall outline of the proposed chapter with clearly labeled relevant headings that address the topic of the edited collection as described in this CfP. Please make sure to also address, even if only at a high level, what lessons learned / practical actionable next steps readers can take away from your chapter to hopefully help address similar concerns they may be facing. Specifically, the proposal should include: 1) a proposed title for the chapter; 2) an abstract for the chapter; 3) a brief outline for the chapter; and 4) a list of practical takeaways, lessons learned, or action steps for the reader.
Please submit your proposal by completing the proposal submission form available by visiting
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKm5qHgNUB_XbW8P4u0qEpqO0c2TGqd6BDcMnPFj_3nrWACw/viewform?usp=header. Alternatively, you are welcome to email your proposal directly to amlucchi@mnu.edu.
Questions or concerns? Please submit let us know by emailing Dr. Addison Lucchi at amlucchi@mnu.edu.
Call for Applications: Announcing the Launch of the Sharing Stories from 1977 Editorial Fellows Program
New Deadline: April 15, 2025
Application Site: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EPboKDMgxT-l2Q2TcSwrZ5BcULZeR-p2uHFfdMKvwAA/viewform?edit_requested=true
Sharing Stories from 1977, a nationally recognized digital humanities project, is pleased to announce we are forming an editorial board for our peer-reviewed, open-access website. Sharing Stories from 1977: Putting the National Women’s Conference on the Mapis the central hub for documenting and interpreting the 1977 National Women’s Conference (NWC).
We are seeking twelve graduate student Sharing Stories Fellows who will be competitively selected in a national search to serve as an inaugural class of editors in 2025-2026.
Fellows will conduct editorial review of biographies drafted primarily by undergraduate researchers to be published on the Sharing Stories site. This program will especially suit graduate students interested in developing experience in the peer-review publication process and using digital tools. An interest in contemporary US history, women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, public history, and/or digital humanities is a bonus.
This virtual editorial fellowship will run from September 2025 through July 2026 with a time commitment of approximately 5 hours a week. Fellows will work in editorial groups led by Drs. Stacie Taranto, Emily Westkaemper, and Judy Tzu-Chun Wu as well as engage in social mixers and have the opportunity to present works-in-progress at an annual Sharing Stories Fellows Research Workshop.
Applications are DUE APRIL 15, 2025 and include a CV, Statement of Interest, and Writing Sample.
For more information on this program and to apply, check out: https://www.uh.edu/class/ctr-public-history/projects/sharing-stories/ssoppurtunity-editoralfellowship.php.
Contact Information
Sandra Davidson, PhD
Project Manager, Sharing Stories from 1977: Putting the National Women’s Conference on the Map
Contact Email
URL
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EPboKDMgxT-l2Q2TcSwrZ5BcULZeR-p2uHFfdMKvwAA/vi…
Publishing in the Archives Profession 