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How to Write
for Computers in Libraries
If you have an idea for an article for Computers in Libraries
magazine, please let us know!
- If you have an idea for an article that would fit our needs and style, take a look at our themes for upcoming 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 We do not
publish academic research papers or vendor-written articles, and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.
- 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!
FEATURE ARTICLES (Issue
Themes)
Computers in Libraries
2022 Editorial Calendar
OVERALL THEME FOR 2022: Building a Digital Infrastructure
Propose your case studies, best practices, and how-to stories on any tech-enabled effort that has helped your library achieve its purpose, vision, mission, or mandate by building a better infrastructure.
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| Issue |
Theme
|
Case Studies and Stories About ... |
Query By* |
| January/February 2022 |
Network Security
|
We live in a digital world full of digital threats. How are you coping with malware, denial-of-service attacks, ransomware threats, cloud-service disruptions, backbone vulnerabilities, spam, phishing, and myriad other threats? And what are you doing to help keep patrons safe and their information private? |
Mid-October |
| March |
Library Systems
|
Systems are the backbone of today’s libraries. Tell us what you have been doing with your ILS, cloud-based library platform, CMS, institutional repository, Wi-Fi network, social media marketing platform, or other back-office library system, with an eye on solving today’s challenges and tomorrow’s needs.
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Mid-December |
| April |
Web Services
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Today’s web offers options for delivering services without having to invest in IT infrastructure. Discuss your experience with cloud-based apps and popular information-sharing platforms to achieve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and reach service goals. What new web services are you offering patrons remotely?
|
Mid-January |
| May |
Streaming Media
|
It’s now possible to stream everything from ebooks to video tutorials. Share your public library’s experience with circulating streaming media titles to the general public. Academic libraries, tell us about streaming educational materials to students. And everyone, explain how you are using streaming media for outreach. |
Mid-February |
| June |
Open Access |
It’s been a long time coming, but OA has matured, bringing its own set of infrastructure issues. How is your library evaluating and switching over to the new OA publishing deals? How are you assuring that your scholars get digital access to OA materials? What are the issues and answers for digital repositories, search systems, and discovery tools? And don’t forget Open Source solutions. |
Mid-March |
| July/August |
Crazy-Fast Fixes
|
Libraries are typically strapped for both staff time and money, but tech issues arise. What do you do to fix bugs and broken systems? How do you make digital stuff work better, improve workflows, or deliver an improved digital experience on a dime or just in time? Share tools, tips, and tweaks for delighting patrons or making things better for staff.
|
Mid-April |
| September |
Learning Platforms
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Schools and libraries are coming closer together, but their siloed infrastructures can get in the way. Tell us about your efforts to marry learning and lending systems, embed library instruction within course management platforms, bridge gaps between curriculum and collections, or support and engage faculty members, students, and researchers. |
Mid-June |
| October |
Content Collections and Discovery Systems
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No library infrastructure is complete without digital collections and the search systems that empower retrieval. Tell us about your experience with digital libraries, research databases, ebooks, and other digital content collections or discovery services. What have you done to digitize or improve access to your library’s own special collections?
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Mid-July |
| November |
Data Management Solutions
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Data, data everywhere. Tell us how your library collects, archives, and maintains data repositories. Describe your experience in collecting and cataloging datasets. Share your case studies on data mining or using AI. Also, talk about your experience with analytic tools and library metrics. |
Mid-August |
| December |
Outputs, Outcomes, and Outlooks |
Send us your case studies, best practices, and strategic plans for improving your library’s tech infrastructure to meet current requirements and future needs and to assure resilience in the event of disaster. Report your results. Share your vision. |
Mid-September |
| Any Time |
Any Topic |
Tell us your story. We are always looking for articles on how you selected and deployed devices or systems, rolled out new tech-based solutions, and achieved desired outcomes via a technology framework, as well as case studies about OPACs, ILSs, and other library platforms. Articles about deploying tech in K–12 schools are also always welcome.
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Propose any topic at any time
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| All |
EDTECH Section |
How to use information technology in K-12 education; media and technology applications in school libraries; digital literacy instruction; teaching with technology; using technology to improve assessment; reviews of digital resources for schools, learning platforms, devices, apps, and software; issues affecting technology use in schools; surveys, case studies, and best practices for school libraries and media centers. Also. Public and School library partnerships. |
Any Time |
*Send your proposal via our online query form
by
the dates noted above. After considering all ideas received, we will
notify those whose articles have been accepted.
We’ll discuss exact materials due dates when your query is accepted.
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