Information Technology and Libraries (ITAL), the quarterly open-access journal published by ALA’s Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures division, is looking for contributions to its regular “Public Libraries Leading the Way” column. This column highlights a technology-based innovation or approach to problem solving from a public library perspective. See https://ejournals.bc.edu/index.php/ital/pllw for a list of columns published in this series.
Topics we are interested in include the following, but proposals on any other technology topic are welcome.
- Virtual community engagement
- Virtual education and learning
- Technology to enable contactless service
- Technology that expands diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Civic technology
- Privacy and cyber-security
- Virtual and augmented reality
- Artificial intelligence
- Big data
- Internet of things
- Robotics
- 3-D printing and makerspaces
- Materials handling automation
- Self-service technology
- Anything else related to public libraries and innovations in technology
To propose a topic, use this brief form, which will ask you for four pieces of information:
- Your email address
- Your name
- A brief (75-150 word) summary of your proposed column that describes your library, the technology you wish to write about and your experience with it.
- The quarterly issue(s) whose deadlines you can commit to
Columns are in the 1,000-1,500 word range and may include illustrations. These will not be research articles, but are meant to share practical experience with technology development or uses within the library. Proposals are due by January 5, 2022, and selections will be made by January 14.
If you have questions, contact Ken Varnum, ITAL Editor, at varnum@umich.edu.
