Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Call for chapters - rural and small libraries



Hello everyone,

I am writing to spread a call for chapters for a volume I am editing for the Advances in Librarianship book series. This volume will focus on rural and small libraries. The full call for chapter proposals follows my signature, and supersedes a previous version that went out. The most significant change between the two versions is an extended proposal deadline of February 7.

I am trying to ensure that the book represents as wide of a range of perspectives on rural and small libraries as possible, and I have already recruited several authors to make what should be interesting and innovation contributions. Although the book will primarily focus on the American situation, I definitely want several chapters focusing on and providing a comparison with rural and small libraries in other countries. I am also very interested in gathering chapters on book mobiles.

The publication date will be either late 2016 or very early 2017. I will also be asking some accepted authors to take part in panels at ALA, ALISE, and other conferences.

If you have any questions or would like to provide a short version of your proposal for feedback before the formal submission date, I would be very happy to hear from you.

Best,

Brian Real
PhD, Information Studies
University of Maryland, College Park
breal@umd.edu / ipac.umd.edu
umd.academia.edu/BrianReal

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Rural and Small Public Libraries: Challenges and Opportunities
Call for chapters from Advances in Librarianship

Rural and Small Public Libraries: Challenges and Opportunities is an edited volume from the Advances in Librarianship book series. It is meant to act as both a scholarly guide to the state of rural and small libraries (RSLs) and a practical guide that can help rural and small libraries to improve their service offerings, better advocate for greater funding and support, and form partnerships that will help them meet the needs of their communities.

For the purpose of this book, rural and small public libraries are defined as libraries that are designated by the Census or other national geographic classification system as being located in a rural area, or that have service populations of 25,000 or less for those located in more populated areas. Proposals for chapters are welcome from academics, librarians, and professionals who engage with RSLs to promote the goals of their organizations.

This book is edited by Brian Real, PhD. Chapters may focus on, but are not limited to, the following themes:

          Perspectives on RSL funding and support;
          RSL partnerships, including collaboration with government agencies and local businesses;
          Education and training for rural and small librarians;
          The importance of professional organizations such as the Association of Rural and Small Libraries, Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services, and the American Library Association, as well as how these organizations can improve their services to RSLs;
          Advocacy and promotion for RSLs, especially in ways that can lead to increased funding and support;
          How digital technologies have expanded RSL services, including efforts to promote digital inclusion;
          The technology offering and capability divide between RSLs and libraries in more populated areas;
          The value of bookmobiles in expanding service to RSLs' communities;
          How community centers, church computing centers, and other local organizations perform similar functions to RSLs;
          Challenges faced by tribal libraries and the similarity of these outlets to RSLs; and
          The role of RSLs in promoting and preserving regional culture.

Chapter proposals should include a ~500 word abstract. Supplemental materials and additional, longer form proposals may also be included with abstracts. 

Please direct inquiries and chapter ideas to Brian Real at breal@umd.edu.

The proposal submission deadline is February 7, 2016. If accepted, full chapters will be due on June 16, 2016.

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