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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 We do not
publish academic research papers or vendor-written articles, and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
2021 Editorial Calendar
OVERALL THEME FOR 2021: Libtech to the Rescue
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.
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| Issue |
Theme
|
Case Studies and Stories About ... |
Query By* |
| January/February 2021 |
The New Normal
|
Things changed in 2020. What libtech challenges did you face? And how did you adjust? What is your new normal? How did your IT infrastructure hold up? What project did you get around to finally doing? How was your library resilient? |
Mid-October |
| March |
Digital Dexterity
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How has your library been successful at adopting and adapting technology, reimagining library services, and aligning with community needs? What new platforms, content collections, or services have you deployed?
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Mid-December |
| April |
Everything Ed Tech
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How are you adjusting to new expectations for learning, distance learning, or remote training? What are you doing to support digital literacy amid a remote workforce? How are you attempting to close the digital divide?
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Mid-January |
| May |
Look, Touch, and Feel
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What’s new and improved with your UX? What’s different in your makerspace? How’s your self-checkout experience? What systems are powering curbside delivery? What technology has replaced touchpoints? |
Mid-February |
| June |
Virtual Realities |
What platforms best support your internal operations and outreach activities? How are you doing things better from a distance? What’s up with your digital resources? What’s been digitized? How are you managing collections? |
Mid-March |
| July/August |
How, Now
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How has your library made the most out of nothing? What have you done to meet user needs without breaking the budget? Share your tips, tools, and technology tricks for getting the job done in no time—and don’t forget about APIs. |
Mid-April |
| September |
Fail-Proof and Future-Ready
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What is your library doing to help integrate technology with learning initiatives, promote the advancement of digital literacy, build a robust IT infrastructure, or develop digital collections? How are you protecting patrons’ privacy, security, and safety?
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Mid-June |
| October |
Back to Business
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How are you using your website, apps, or social media to reach users everywhere, anytime? What have you done to improve the user experience online and make sure your digital collections are not only accessible but usable? What are you doing to improve discovery, engage users, and provide support?
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Mid-July |
| November |
Metrics & Methods
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How are you measuring and reporting your library’s performance? What tools do you use to evaluate resources, measure user satisfaction, and control costs? What does your IT survey say? What does your needs assessment reveal? |
Mid-August |
| December |
What’s Next?
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Where does your library see technology headed? What do you need to do to assure your future? Share your strategic vision. Talk about how you realized an important strategic goal for your library, your community, or your patrons. |
Mid-September |
| Any Time |
Any Topic |
Tell us your story. We are always looking for stories on how you selected and deployed devices or systems, rolled out new tech-based solutions, and achieved desired outcomes by using a technology framework, as well as case studies about OPACs, ILSs, and other library platforms.
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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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