How to Write for Computers
in Libraries
If you have an idea for an article for Computers in
Libraries magazine, please let us know!
- To learn more about CIL magazine and the
types of articles we want, read the FAQ.
- If you have an idea for an article that would
fit our needs and style, take a look at our themes
for
the 2009 issues and try to match your article idea
to one of the issues. Every feature article does
not
have to fit a theme, but we use theme-related
articles first and then accept general articles
when space allows.
- Don’t send already written
manuscripts, please.
- We are looking for interesting articles, written
as case studies or how-we-did-it pieces. We do not publish
academic research papers or vendor-written articles,
and CIL is not a peer-reviewed journal.
-
For 2009, we are also seeking case studies or best practices pieces in about the process of evaluating, specifying, and buying content collections and ILS solutions.
- When writing queries, please remember this:
- CIL’s mission is to provide librarians
and other information professionals
with useful and insightful information
about all computer-related subjects that
affect their jobs. CIL does this through
articles that are written by library
professionals for library professionals,
with a friendly, personal voice. These
general technical articles should be
practical and helpful for the average
librarian in any sort of environment—academic, public, special, K–12, or
corporate libraries. CIL aims to publish
articles that are interesting to read
and appealing to people in many
aspects of the field.
- Allow up to a month after the query deadline
for a response.
You may submit queries using our online
form. For more details see our FAQ!
SPECIAL CONTENT FOCUS & ILS SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES
NOTE: In 2009, the editors of CIL magazine are also looking for case studies and best practices about specifying, evaluating and obtaining content collections and ILS (Integrated Library Systems) solutions, if written by practicing library professionals. We are seeking specific articles in the various issues of the magazine. Consult this table for details, or submit your query using this form.
FEATURE ARTICLES (Issue Themes)
OVERALL THEME FOR 2009:
Empowering & Transforming Libraries with Information Technology |
| Issue |
Theme |
Query Due |
Article Due |
| January |
The Virtual Library
(Technology around a telepresence: virtual reference, virtual cataloging, serving remote or distributed users via technology)
|
September 30, 2008 |
October 20, 2008 |
| February
|
Open-Sourced Libraries
(Open source, open data, open access, open APIs: Services and solutions based on open platforms)
|
October
15, 2008 |
November 21, 2008 |
| March
|
Libraries as Tech Labs
(Helping patrons learn how to use technology or develop skills by providing access to software applications, computers, and other devices; includes media centers and gaming)
|
November 15, 2008 |
December 19, 2008 |
| April |
Library & Publisher
(Libraries as content creators: Developing content collections, databases or information services, using web or other tech tools)
|
December 15, 2008 |
January 23, 2009 |
| May |
The Mobile-ized Library
(Employing mobile devices to support library workers or patrons; or, delivering information services to mobile devices)
|
January 15, 2009 |
February 23, 2009 |
| June |
Libraries at the Core of the Enterprise
(Enterprise content, enterprise search, KM and collaboration, or any tech topic with a strong special library or corporate information focus)
|
February 15, 2009 |
March 20, 2009 |
| July/August |
Helping Libraries Buy
(Product reviews and comparisons, tips and tricks for library tech buyers)
|
March 15, 2009 |
April 24, 2009 |
| September |
Library as Data Center
(Data collection, mining, management, migration, visualization, enrichment; research data repositories; and semantic web)
|
May 15, 2009 |
June 22, 2009 |
| October |
Libraries on the Web’s Cutting Edge
(Blogs, pods, wikis, and social networking tools, anything Web 2.0 or even 3.0 if it's hot by then!)
|
June 15, 2009 |
July 24, 2009 |
November/
December |
Lib Tech on a Global Scale (Developing or deploying Information technologies and solutions within highly distributed work groups, larget government agencies, multinational or global enterprises.)
|
July 15, 2009 |
August 21, 2009 |
In July 2009, we'll choose the themes for 2010.
We'll post them on our Web site in August and print them in our September issue. |
In 2009, Computers in Libraries magazine will also feature a monthly Content Focus and ILS Spotlight article on a specific topic.
Consult the topic list for more details.
|
Send your proposal via our online
query form by the dates noted above. After considering all
ideas received, we will respond to each person
who queried. If your article idea is accepted then
we will send you Writers’ Guidelines and discuss the
article with you to ensure that your feature will fit
Computers in Libraries’ needs and style. CIL does
pay small honorariums for feature articles.
SPECIAL CONTENT FOCUS & ILS SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES
In 2009, the editors of CIL magazine are also looking for case studies and best practices about specifying, evaluating and obtaining content collections and ILS (Integrated Library Systems) solutions, if written by practicing library professionals. We are seeking specific articles in the various issues of the magazine. Consult the table below for details. |
| Issue Date |
Focus on Digital Content |
Spotlight on LIS |
Query Due |
Article Due |
| January |
eBooks
|
Next Gen Lib. Systems |
September 30, 2008 |
October 20, 2008 |
| February |
eJournal Collections
|
Open Systems |
October 15, 2008 |
November 21, 2008 |
| March |
Research Databases
|
Interoperable Systems |
November 15, 2008 |
December 19, 2008 |
| April |
Web-based Resources
|
Web-hosted solutions |
December 15, 2008 |
January 23, 2009 |
| May |
Pharma & BioMed Info. |
Customizable Interfaces |
January 15, 2009 |
February 23, 2009 |
| June |
Patents & Legal Info. |
Systems for special collections mgmt. |
February 15, 2009 |
March 20, 2009 |
| July/August |
e-Reference
|
-- |
March 15, 2009 |
April 24, 2009 |
| September |
Finance, News & Real-Time Feeds |
End-to-end solutions |
May 15, 2009 |
June 22, 2009 |
| October |
Digital Archives
|
ERM, DRM and User Gen |
June 15, 2009 |
July 24, 2009 |
November/
December |
One-Stop Shops
|
Good to go out of the box |
July 15, 2009 |
August 21, 2009 |
For Content Focus and ILS Spotlight articles, submit your queries using this special query form. We will be publishing only one article in each category. We will not consider articles written by vendors or PR agencies. Selected authors will receive a small honorarium.
|