Category: Books

Call for Book Chapter Proposals: Becoming a Practitioner-Researcher: A Practical Guide for Information Professionals

Thank you to Caryn Radick for passing this on!

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Dear colleagues,
We are soliciting chapter proposals for our forthcoming ACRL book, Becoming a Practitioner-Researcher: A Practical Guide for Information Professionals [working title]. This book will gather practical advice from practitioners conducting research as part of their tenure or professional responsibilities at academic, public, and special libraries, and/or archives. We are seeking chapters from novice or seasoned practitioner-researchers who want to share their experiences in executing research and/or evaluation projects.

Focus of the Book:
This edited volume will address the challenges of undertaking research and offers support and advice for all stages of a project, from writing the proposal to collecting the data, to disseminating the findings whether it be an internal report or published journal article, and the myriad pitfalls that may occur in between.

Rather than focusing solely on methods, this book tackles issues such as balancing research project and work responsibilities, scaling your project to fit your budget and time constraints, collaborating with a partner or team, and other issues that impact projects. Our vision for this book is to curate an edited volume of insights that we wish we would have known when we embarked on our own research projects. Chapters will introduce and discuss a specific project in a specific institution, in order to frame the discussion of the aspects of the research process the chapter addresses. The narrative should be reflective and discuss what can be generalized about the experience that would be helpful for other practitioners in a “lessons learned” approach.

Part 1: The Research Process (starting your research, crafting a proposal, figuring out logistics)
Part 1 is about creating a holistic approach to undertaking research in a library or archive setting. We are seeking chapters that include sections addressing topics such as, but not limited to:

  • Developing an idea into a research proposal
  • Obtaining administrative buy-in and support
  • Budgeting (time, money, personnel)
  • Choosing a research design and data collection method
  • Navigating the IRB process
  • Deciding on the scale of a project and what is feasible
  • Analyzing your data
  • Sharing research (reports, formal outlets including journals)

We chose the term holistic because we feel the chapters should integrate several of the above bullet points when reflecting on research project experiences in the context of their library.

Part 2: Social Research Methods for Information Professionals (survey, content analysis observation studies, focus group, interviews, etc.) 
Part 2 is about the application of common research methods found in the library literature. Chapters should revolve around creating a research design and reflect on the realities of research practice, conveying to readers methods that worked well for particular contexts and projects. Each chapter in Part 2 will include sections on how the particular method was applied, the institutional context, and the bumps and bruises of going from research design to data collection. Please address these sections in your proposal if you are seeking inclusion in Part 2.
Potential topics include:

  • Surveys
  • Focus groups
  • Ethnographic methods (observation, visual, storytelling)
  • Interviews
  • Document/content/textual analysis

Part 3: Managing a Research Project (individual researchers and team-based collaboration)
Part 3 will bring into focus the experiences of individual researchers and teams. The purpose of this section is to provide readers a range of basic and complex project examples and how these projects have been managed by individual practitioners or collaborative teams.
Example topics for inclusion in a chapter:

  • Project management as a solo researcher
  • How teams determine responsibilities for a project
  • Cleaning and analysis of data as a team
  • Collaborating on cross-institutional projects
  • Publishing or writing as a team
  • Short reflective essays by individuals who have been both solo researchers and on a research team

Don’t see your topic here? Contact the editors at libresearcherbook@gmail.com to discuss how your idea may fit within this book’s scope.

Proposal Guidelines:
To submit a proposal,  fill out the short Survey Monkey form and attach your proposal as a Word document (.doc or .docx). The form will require author names, job titles, and institutional affiliations. The Word document for the proposal itself should be written in Times New Roman, 12 pt., be double-spaced, and include:

  • A working title for your chapter
  • A 500-word description and chapter outline including topic keywords.
  • Authors must indicate which part of the book your chapter will address: Part 1: The Research Process, Part 2: Social Research Methods for Information Professionals, or Part 3: Managing a Research Project.
  • Authors will include one or two summary sentences that make explicit the chapter’s major themes, ideas, and learning outcomes.
  • Do not use any identifying information in your proposal (e.g., do not include author names or institution names in the Word doc).
  • Citations should follow the Endnotes-Bibliography format in the Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition).

Proposals are due by Friday, April 13, 2018 at 11:59PM PST and must be submitted via online form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/libresearcherbook

  • Contributors will be notified of their status (acceptance or rejection) within 6–8 weeks of the due date of proposals.
  • The first draft of chapters will be due in August 2018.
  • Estimated length of chapter: 2,500–4,000 words.
  • Projected publication date: Summer 2019.

Should you need to contact the editors, use the following email address: libresearcherbook@gmail.com. Bookmark the Google site: https://sites.google.com/view/libraryresearcherbook/home.

Thank you,
Lee Ann Fullington (Health Sciences Librarian, Brooklyn College/CUNY)
Brandon K. West (Head of Research Instruction Services, SUNY Geneseo)
Frans Albarillo (Social Sciences Librarian, Brooklyn College/CUNY)

CFP: Shhhh…Murder!

Okay, this is not scholarly but too fun not to pass along. Though stated for librarians, I’m sure archivists can also submit.

Shhhh… Murder!

Scheduled for release in late spring of next year and timed for summer reading, this anthology will feature cozy to cozy-noir stories featuring libraries and librarians. Extra points will be shamelessly awarded to writers with personal ties to libraries.

The submission period for this anthology runs from November 1st to February 28th, upon the last stroke of midnight, Pacific Standard Time.

We are looking for stories from 2500 to 5000 words, but will consider stories outside that range, at our discretion. Contributors will share equally fifty percent of the royalties received. We expect between fifteen and twenty stories to be accepted and are aiming at a volume length of around eighty-five thousand words, and around two-hundred and thirty pages—all dependent, obviously, upon the length of the material chosen.

We will accept work previously published, provided it was not published after May of 2017, and that you hold the rights. Simultaneous submissions are fine, with the usual proviso that we should be notified should the work be accepted elsewhere, so that we may withdraw it from consideration.

Submissions and questions may be sent to submissions@darkhousebooks.com.

Here are some manuscript formatting tips.

Call for Chapter Proposals: Social Justice and Activism in Libraries, Moving Beyond Diversity to Action

Social Justice and Activism in Libraries, Moving Beyond Diversity to
Action
Book Publisher: McFarland

Su Epstein, Ph.D., co-editor. Director, Saxton B. Little Free Library,
Columbia, Connecticut
Carol Smallwood, co-editor. Public Library Systems, Special, School Librarian,
Michigan
Vera Gubnitskaia, co-editor. Reference Librarian, Valencia College, Winter
Park, Florida

One or two chapters sought from U.S. practicing academic, public, school,
special librarians, LIS faculty, sharing how to take the concept of diversity
to the next level. The role librarians can play in social justice and social
change, activities supporting tolerance in libraries. Topics could be
inclusivity, tolerance, civic engagement, civic education, human rights,
social responsibility; in the areas of collection development, programming,
professional development, partnerships and outreach—just to name a few.

One author or two or three authors per chapter. Compensation: one
complimentary copy per 3,000-5,000 word chapter accepted no matter how many
co-authors or if one or two chapters: author discount on more copies.
Contributors are expected to sign a release form in order to be published.
Public, school and special librarians, LIS instructors are especially
encouraged to submit.

Please e-mail titles of proposed chapters each described in a few sentences by
February 28, 2018, brief bio on each author; place TOL, LAST NAME on subject
line to: epsteinsc@gmail.com

Call for Chapter Proposals: Deaccessioning in Special Collections and Archives

Archivists and archival institutions are now deaccessioning more than ever before. As deaccessioning has become increasingly accepted as a useful collections management tool, some still perceive it as an ethical dilemma fraught with a high risk of controversy or angering donors and researchers alike. In archives deaccessioning, archivists grapple with ethical concerns, donor relations, appraisal questions, and disposition options. Deaccessioning in Special Collections and Archives, edited by Laura Uglean Jackson and published by Rowman & Littlefield, is the first book dedicated entirely to the topic of deaccessioning in special collections and archives. It will bring together case studies, perspectives, and in-depth discussions focused solely on topics and issues related to deaccessioning in all types of archival repositories.

Contributions from authors with experience in or knowledge of special collections and archives deaccessioning are welcome. I hope to include chapters on the following topics:

  • Case studies from various institution types (e.g. small repositories, lone arrangers, community archives)
  • Perspectives and opinion pieces about reappraisal and deaccessioning
  • Reappraisal and deaccessioning outside of the United States (particularly United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand)
  • Consequences of deaccessioning, including benefits and negative effects
  • Working with donors and donor relations
  • Sale of materials and use of proceeds
  • Deaccessioning compared to weeding
  • Ethical dilemmas of deaccessioning
  • Transparency/publicizing of deaccessioning, including collections and process
  • Reappraisal and deaccessioning of digital materials
  • Standards related to reappraisal and deaccessioning
  • Reappraisal challenges
  • Disposition of deaccessioned materials including transfer, return to donor, and destruction

If you have an idea for a chapter not listed, please contact me to discuss.

Proposals of no more than 500 words should be submitted to me by February 12, 2018. Please include a biographical statement. Decisions regarding the submissions will be made by early March. First drafts will be due in May with an expected completion date in November 2018. Proposals and questions can be sent to: laura.ugleanjackson@unco.edu.

——————————
Laura Uglean Jackson
Archives and Special Collections Librarian
University of Northern Colorado
laura.ugleanjackson@unco.edu

Call for Chapter Proposals: Creativity for Success and Personal Growth for Librarians

Creativity for Success and Personal Growth for Librarians
Book Publisher: McFarland

Vera Gubnitskaia, co-editor, Library Partnerships with Writers and Poets
(McFarland, 2017); public, academic librarian, indexer.

Carol Smallwood, co-editor, Gender Studies in the Library (McFarland, 2017);
public library administrator, special, school librarian.

One or two chapters sought from U.S. practicing academic, public, school,
special librarians, LIS faculty, library administrators, and board members.
Successful proposals will address creative, practical, how-to chapters and
case studies depicting a variety of aspects and angles of the library
profession as a creative endeavor, within the library walls and beyond such as
being an artist, writer, photographer, editor. Ideas needed that can serve as
a foundation, incorporate into an MLIS course; a Human Resources’ or an
organizational plan, as well kick-start personal career goals planning. The
focus is on library staff professional and personal growth and development,
NOT creative programming and services for patrons. Request a helpful tentative
Table of Contents.

No previously published, simultaneously submitted material. One, two, or three
authors per chapter; each chapter by the same author(s). Compensation: one
complimentary copy per 3,000-5,000 word chapter accepted no matter how many
co-authors or if one or two chapters; author discount. Contributors are
expected to sign a release form in order to be published.

Please e-mail titles of proposed chapter(s) with a concise clear summary by
February 28, 2018, with brief bio on each author; place CRE, Your Name, on
subject line to gubnitv11@gmail.com

Call for chapter proposals: Deaccessioning in Special Collections and Archives

Archivists and archival institutions are now deaccessioning more than ever before. As deaccessioning has become increasingly accepted as a useful collections management tool, some still perceive it as an ethical dilemma fraught with a high risk of controversy or angering donors and researchers alike. In archives deaccessioning, archivists grapple with ethical concerns, donor relations, appraisal questions, and disposition options. Deaccessioning in Special Collections and Archives, edited by Laura Uglean Jackson and published by Rowman & Littlefield, is the first book dedicated entirely to the topic of deaccessioning in special collections and archives. It will bring together case studies, perspectives, and in-depth discussions focused solely on topics and issues related to deaccessioning in all types of archival repositories.

Contributions from authors with experience in or knowledge of special collections and archives deaccessioning are welcome. I hope to include chapters on the following topics:

  • Case studies from various institution types (e.g. small repositories, lone arrangers, community archives)
  • Perspectives and opinion pieces about reappraisal and deaccessioning
  • Reappraisal and deaccessioning outside of the United States (particularly United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand)
  • Consequences of deaccessioning, including benefits and negative effects
  • Working with donors and donor relations
  • Sale of materials and use of proceeds
  • Deaccessioning compared to weeding
  • Ethical dilemmas of deaccessioning
  • Transparency/publicizing of deaccessioning, including collections and process
  • Reappraisal and deaccessioning of digital materials
  • Standards related to reappraisal and deaccessioning
  • Reappraisal challenges
  • Disposition of deaccessioned materials including transfer, return to donor, and destruction

If you have an idea for a chapter not listed, please contact me to discuss. Proposals of no more than 500 words should be submitted to me by February 12, 2018. Please include a biographical statement. Decisions regarding the submissions will be made by early March. First drafts will be due in May with an expected completion date in November 2018. Proposals and questions can be sent to: laura.ugleanjackson@unco.edu.

Call for Chapter: Male Sex Work & Society

(reposted from the SAA Diverse Sexuality and Gender Discussion List)

Archival Research & Male Sex Work

Harrington Park Press is seeking a potential commissioned chapter author who might be interested in archival research in male sex work histories, culture, and lives.

This is for an upcoming Volume 2 companion volume to the 2014 work, Male Sex Work & Society.

Interested persons may send their CV and letter of interest to: <bcohen@harringtonparkpress>

William Cohen
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Harrington Park Press, LLC
New York NY

Call for Book Chapters: Social Justice and Activism in Libraries, Moving Beyond Diversity to Action

Book Publisher: McFarland

Su Epstein, Ph.D., co-editor. Director, Saxton B. Little Free Library, Columbia, Connecticut
Carol Smallwood, co-editor. Public Library Systems, Special, School Librarian, Michigan
Vera Gubnitskaia, co-editor. Reference Librarian, Valencia College, Winter Park, Florida

One or two chapters sought from U.S. practicing academic, public, school, special librarians, LIS faculty, sharing how to take the concept of diversity to the next level. The role librarians can play in social justice and social change, activities supporting tolerance in libraries. Topics could be inclusivity, tolerance, civic engagement, civic education, human rights, social responsibility; in the areas of collection development, programming, professional development, partnerships and outreach—just to name a few.

One author or two or three authors per chapter. Compensation: one complimentary copy per 3,000-4,000 word chapter accepted no matter how many co-authors or if one or two chapters: author discount on more copies. Contributors are expected to sign a release form in order to be published. Public, school and special librarians, LIS instructors are especially encouraged to submit.

Please e-mail titles of proposed chapters each described in a few sentences by November 30, 2017, brief bio on each author; place TOL, LAST NAME on subject line to: epsteinsc@gmail.com

American Historical Association Announces 2017 Prize Winners

The American Historical Association is pleased to announce the winners of its 2017 prizes. The AHA offers annual prizes honoring exceptional books, distinguished teaching and mentoring in the classroom, public history, and other historical projects. Since 1896, the Association has conferred over a thousand awards. This year’s finalists were selected from a field of over 1,300 entries by nearly 100 dedicated prize committee members. The names, publications, and projects of those who received these awards are a catalog of the best work produced in the historical discipline.

The William and Edwyna Gilbert Award for the best article in a journal, magazine, or other serial on teaching history

Laura K. Muñoz (Texas A&M Univ.-Corpus Christi) for “Civil Rights, Educational Inequality, and Transnational Takes on the US History Survey,” History of Education Quarterly 56, no. 1 (February 2016)

The J. Franklin Jameson Award for the editing of historical primary sources

The late Karsten Friis-Jensen, ed., and Peter Fisher, trans., for Saxo Grammaticus: Gesta Danorum: The History of the Danes, 2 vols. (Oxford Univ. Press, 2015)

See full list of awards.

Call for Chapters: Comics and Critical Librarianship for Academic Libraries (Library Juice Press)

Call for Chapter Proposals

Working Title: Comics and Critical Librarianship for Academic Libraries
Editors: Olivia Miller & Stephanie Grimm
Submission Deadline: December 15, 2017
Publisher: Library Juice Press

Book description

This book will be a collection of chapters on ways comics have been used in the practice of critical librarianship. The intended audiences for this book are librarians and library workers that currently or hope to work with comics in academic libraries, people interested in critical librarianship, and comics scholars. The purpose of this book is to add to the conversation of critical librarianship within academic libraries by highlighting the use and focus of an already radical medium (comics) by librarians and library workers who practice critical librarianship.

For the purposes of this book, we use the term “comics” to mean any work in the medium of comics/sequential art. This can mean comic book issues, graphic novels, comic strips, webcomics, minicomics, etc.

We want both critical librarianship and comics to be approachable and accessible topics to our readers. One way we aim to do this is through approachable language much in the way that Maria T. Accardi did in Feminist Pedagogy for Library Instruction.

Possible topics

Possible topic areas include but are not limited to the following:

  • Critical considerations of:
    • comics in academic library exhibitions or programming
    • comics in library instruction in higher education contexts
    • cataloging practices in relation to comics
    • acquisition or collection management/organization practices for comics and comics collections
    • comics or comics ephemera in special collections, archives, or manuscript collections
  • Case studies on the critical use of comics in academic libraries and special collections
  • Theoretical or research-based considerations of comics as a tool and site for critical librarianship
  • Other relevant considerations of the topic

Timeline

  • Abstract submission deadline: December 15, 2017
  • Notification/Feedback regarding submission: January 31, 2018
  • First drafts due: June 15, 2018
  • Final drafts due: October 15, 2018
  • Final manuscript due to publisher: December 2018

Submissions

Please email abstracts of up to 500 words to critlibcomics (at) gmail (dot) com.

Abstracts should briefly describe your topic and how your chapter discusses using comics in critical librarianship. You are welcome to submit multiple abstracts about different possible topics. If your submission is tentatively accepted, the editors may request modifications. Material cannot be previously published.

Final chapters will be in the 2000-5000-word range. Abstracts that discuss comics being used in critical librarianship practices in tribal college libraries, HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, community colleges, archives, special libraries, and libraries outside the United States are especially welcome.

Please direct any questions to Olivia Miller and Stephanie Grimm, editors, at critlibcomics (at) gmail (dot) com.

About the Editors

Olivia Miller (she/her) is the Arts & Humanities Librarian at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Her BA is in Art History and English from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and she attended the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill for her MSLS. She built a strong graphic novel collection in her last position at Greensboro College and taught a for-credit course for two semesters on how to read and find comics with a feminist pedagogy.

Stephanie Grimm (she/her) is the Art and Art History Librarian at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. She holds a BFA in Illustration and earned her MSI from the University of Michigan, where she developed a dedicated minicomics collection within the university libraries. She has worked with comics and illustration students at both art & design schools and research universities, and is a proponent of critical librarianship and literacy for artists and design students.