Library Trends
Library Trends explores critical trends in professional librarianship, and includes practical applications, thorough analyses, and literature reviews. Each issue brings readers in-depth, thoughtful articles that center on a specific theme, ranging from special libraries to emerging technologies. The journal is published quarterly for the iSchool by Johns Hopkins University Press.
Library Trends only accepts manuscripts in response to calls for papers. We currently have one open call.
Webinars
Our webinars provide the opportunity for in-depth conversations about the timely themes and topics explored in each issue of the journal.
View our most recent webinar: Design and the Philosophy of Information. All past webinars are available via Illinois Media Space.
Guest Editors
Under the guidance of Melissa A. Wong, editor in chief, Library Trends provides an outlet for individuals to serve as guest editors for a special topic, exploring a key area of activity or interest in librarianship. Guest editors are selected by Wong, with the advice of the Editorial Board and based on the content of submitted proposals.
Please read the following information about guest editing an issue.
| Please review the Library Trends Guest Editor and Author Handbook to learn more about the production process, review helpful guidelines, and find answers to frequently asked questions. |
A guest editor proposes the theme and scope of a new issue, draws up a list of prospective authors and article topics, calls for submissions to the issue, arranges for review of the manuscripts, provides short annotations of each article’s scope, and prepares a statement of philosophy guiding issue development. Issue topics for Library Trends are developed in many ways. We value recommendations from professional librarians, archivists, and other information personnel, from members of the faculties of schools of library and information science, and from others whose concern is with issues of the management of cultural heritage. We seek volunteers from these areas to act as guest editors. The style and tone of the journal is formal rather than journalistic or popular. Library Trends reviews current theory and practice and identifies and evaluates new directions for both practice and research. Papers must represent original work. Extensive updates of previously published papers are acceptable, but revisions or adaptations of published work are not acceptable. Both issue proposals and the papers they contain are subject to rigorous external review. If you would like to submit a proposal, it should include the nature and scope of the proposed topic and suggestions of the names of individuals whom you hope would contribute the articles. For ease of review, please submit your CV and a proposal using the following format: 1. Guest editor name and contact information 2. Proposed issue theme/draft issue title 3. Description of the nature and scope of the issue’s topic (300-500 words) 4. List of potential articles (8-10 articles) 5. List of potential authors to solicit (8-10 authors) 6. List of potential reviewers for the manuscripts (4-5 reviewers) 7. Proposed timeline for proposals, authoring, editing, etc. (12-14 months typical) Please send your ideas, inquiries, or issue proposal to librarytrends@illinois.edu. |
The entire publication process, from conception to publication, takes roughly 18 months, and guest editors are expected to remain engaged fully with the process for the duration of their issue. Guest editors are responsible for adhering to the deadlines established by Library Trends editorial staff and should commit to adhering to the deadlines and responsibilities that are detailed in the Library Trends Guest Editor and Author Handbook section “An Overview of the Process.” They will notify the Library Trends managing editor, Natasha Sims, regarding progress in the development of the issue, issues that may occur with securing manuscripts, and problems with the content of manuscripts. Throughout the entire production process, the managing editor will remain in close contact with the guest editor. If at any point in the process the guest editor and authors have questions, they should immediately contact the managing editor. |
Editor in Chief Managing Editor Assistant Managing Editors Editorial Board |