A PRIMER ON PROFESSIONAL PUBLISHING FOR LIBRARIANS

E L E A N O R M I T C H E L L A N D S A R A H B A R B A R A WAT S T E I N , E D I TO R S

R E F E R E N C E S E RV I C E S R E V I E W

L O E X O F T H E W E S T, C A L G A RY, J U N E , 2 0 1 0

Getting your words out:

You will learn how to. . .

Identify publishable ideas/topicsAssess the “publishability” of an idea

Build idea into proposalDevelop timetableIdentify outletsWork with an editor

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Session outline

Part 1: Think, plan, write. (Revise)BREAKPart 2: The scholarly publication process

Part 3: What’s next? Establishing and building your portfolio and reputation

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What have you read, lately?(The good, the bad, the forgettable)

Walt at RandomThe library voice of the radical middle.

Information Wants To Be Free

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Part 1: Think, plan, write. (Then, revise.)

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Why publish?

• Demonstrate expertise• Advancement in position• Find funding• Build community• Career enhancement• Enhance program/library/institution• Professional satisfaction

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Developing ideas

Read the literatureRead beyond . . . In other disciplinesConsider what’s happening in your library

Programs Projects, innovations Personnel Change Challenges Lessons learned

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Rapid topic brainstorm

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Writing with others

More perspectives

Leveraging different strengths

Divide the workload

Richer content

Writing voicesWork stylesTiming issuesCommunication

issues

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Types of Articles

Research paperViewpointTechnical paperConceptual paperCase studyLiterature reviewGeneral reviewHybrid

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Writing for publication

• Concept• Content/format alignment• Organization• Style

• Voice/perspective• Quality of expression• Clarity• Grammar

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From idea to proposal

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From proposal to manuscript

Review the literatureIdentify gaps/opportunitiesArticulate your thesis (talk to editor!)Develop preliminary outlineResearch/data analysisProduce rough draftInformal review by readersDevelop final draft

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The right fit: Which journal?

Journals in your fieldJournal style, strategy, selection process

Match your topicMatch your approachConsider allied fields, areas

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Editorial Objectives: RSR

To review and evaluate a wide variety of publications having reference value within academic, public, school and special library settings.…to provide subject bibliographers and reference librarians with information useful to the functions of collection development and assessment, readers' advisory and guidance, bibliographic instruction, management, online searching and automated reference functions.

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Editorial Objectives: RSR

To review and evaluate a wide variety of publications having reference value within academic, public, school and special library settings.…to provide subject bibliographers and reference librarians with information useful to the functions of collection development and assessment, readers' advisory and guidance, bibliographic instruction, management, online searching and automated reference functions.

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Editorial Objectives: JAL

focus on problems and issues germane to college and university libraries….present research findings …their practical applications and significance; analyze policies, practices, issues, and trends; speculate about the future of academic librarianship; present analytical bibliographic essays and philosophical treatises…management and discipline-based software and information policy developments.

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Editorial Objectives: JAL

focus on problems and issues germane to college and university libraries….present research findings …their practical applications and significance; analyze policies, practices, issues, and trends; speculate about the future of academic librarianship; present analytical bibliographic essays and philosophical treatises…management and discipline-based software and information policy developments.

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Setting your timetable

Your career agendaRealistic planningWhen a “hot topic” cools off

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Making contact

• Email the editor• Conferences/events• Publisher’s booth• Editorial board members• Published authors

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Part 2: The Process

SubmissionTimelineReview FeedbackRevisionReviewFinal version

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Submitting the manuscript

Follow style guidelinesDirectly to editor orThrough online review and editorial management system

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Timing

Publication cycle

Editorial communication

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Demystifying the review process

Double blindWho reviews?Structure of a reviewFeedback to author

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The revising process

Read the review

Respond to the review

Revise the manuscript

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Final steps to publication. . .

Revision is reviewedDecision is madeDecision is communicated to authorForms and permissions requested of

authorArticle is assigned to an issueWhen published, author receives copies

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If article is NOT accepted

Read the reviews attentivelyConsider why rejection has been decided

Plan to rewrite/resubmit orPlan to resubmit elsewhere

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Part 3: What’s next?

•Build a portfolio

•Build a reputation

•Collaboration vs. individual publication

•Become a reviewer

•Suggest and edit a special or theme issue

•Beyond journal articles

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Continuing the conversation

We invite you to meet with us at this conference, at ALA, or to contact us by email.

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Sarah Barbara WatsteinUniversity LibrarianUNCW Randall Librarywatsteins@uncw.edu910.962.3271 (o)910.962.3078 (f)

Eleanor MitchellDirector of Library ServicesDickinson Collegemitchele@dickinson.edu717.245.1864 (o)717.245.1439 (f)

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