(via Cyndi Robinson, ILA; original message from Peter Fernandez and Kelly Tilton, University of Tennessee Libraries)
We’re excited to invite you to submit chapter proposals for our forthcoming ACRL book, Applying Library Values to Emerging Technology: Tips and Techniques for Advancing within Your Mission. As emerging technologies become easier to use, public service information professionals of all kinds are increasingly tasked with making decisions regarding which technologies to use, promote, and provide support for. These technology-mediated exchanges can play an important role in how information, and the library, is perceived and used. This book will share perspectives on how to interpret and apply the ALA’s Core Values of Librarianship in the context of emerging technologies as well highlight case studies of organizations and applications that exemplify relevant library values. It will be grounded in theory, but be made applicable to a variety of libraries by situating discussions within a framework for decision-making. Authors will retain copyright of their work, and after one year the entire book will be made available open access.
The book will be organized into chapters corresponding with the values identified in the ALA’s Core Values of Librarianship, but individual chapters do not need to tie directly to any particular interpretation of those values (see below). Authors should consider library values in the context of emerging technology, and what the implications are for making decisions about library practice. The editors are interested in considering a wide variety of perspectives and forms of submissions in order to be relevant to a broad audience. Each section will have two main components: practical case studies of how to use a particular technology effectively in a library setting, and theoretical models for understanding and interpreting the relevant library value (or values) in context of a relevant technology. Most submissions should include at least some elements of theory and practice, but can focus on any aspect. We will also consider submissions featuring just one element (an important theoretical consideration that could impact other works, or a particularly impactful case study). Priority will be given to producing the best possible final work that is meaningful to a wide audience rather than necessarily original research, so authors may reuse portions of previous works when copyright allows. If doing so, authors are expected to revise their work and provide at minimum an introduction and conclusion that fit with the theme of this volume.
For a more context and suggested topics for each chapter, visit this document. Potential sections include confidentiality and privacy, as they relate to intellectual freedom; access and democracy; the public good and social responsibility, in the context of education and lifelong learning; preservation; diversity; service; and professionalism. Example topics are listed below.
- libraries providing access to encryption technology
- libraries providing training/access to technology that enables expression
- libraries relationship to modern efforts to censor (e.g., NSA; Patriot Act; China’s firewall)
- technology that supports Open Access
- the #ICANHAZPDF phenomenon, and technology surrounding interlibrary loan
- licensing/copyright agreements and library values
- preventing link-rot and related issues with archiving websites
- issues surrounding private/public communications online (e.g. preserving e-mails, Facebook posts and other
- semi-public digital objects stored on private servers)
- how library interfaces impact diversity
- how library values such as professionalism and service can be embodied in technology decisions
Don’t see your idea or topic here? We encourage you to contact the editors at valuesandtechnologyacrl@gmail.com to discuss how your idea may fit within this book’s scope.
A short form with an attached Word document (.doc or .docx) is required for proposal submission. The Word document should be written in Times New Roman, 12 pt., be double-spaced, and include the following information.
- a working title
- names of all contributing authors and their respective institutions
- contact information for the primary author
- estimated final word count
- a brief (250-500 word) description of your proposed chapter
- please identify any relevant library values and technologies, and if your chapter will include any explicit recommendations for decision making
Attach your chapter submission proposal to an e-mail with the subject line Chapter Proposal Submission_(PrimaryAuthor’sLastName). Then send the e-mail to valuesandtechnologyacrl@gmail.com.
Proposals are due Monday, October 10. Contributors will be notified of their status (acceptance or rejection) by October 31. If the proposal is accepted, the deadline to submit the first draft of the chapter for revisions is February 1, 2017. The final edited volume will be submitted to the publisher on May 31, 2017. For more information about ACRL publication guidelines, please see the ACRL Publications Agreement FAQ.