Information Technology and Libraries (ITAL), the quarterly open-access journal focused on library technology published by ALA’s Core division, invites proposals for its “Public Libraries Leading the Way” column. This column provides a space to highlight technology-based innovations or approaches to problem solving from a public library perspective. If you work with technology in a public library, we invite your proposal for a column in a future issue.
To propose a column, complete this proposal form, which will ask you for four pieces of information:
- Your name
- Your email address
- 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 generally in the 1,000-1,500 word range and may include illustrations. These are not research articles and are not peer reviewed. Columns are meant to share practical experience with technology development or uses within the library. Proposals are due by January 6, 2023. Selections will be made by January 20, 2023.
If you have questions, contact Ken Varnum, Editor, or Marisha Kelly, Assistant Editor.
Topics we are interested in include the following, but proposals on any other technology topic are welcome. See https://ejournals.bc.edu/index.php/ital/pllw for a list of columns published in this series.
- Virtual community engagement
- Virtual education and learning
- Technology to enable contactless service
- Civic technology
- Technology that expands diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Privacy and cyber-security
- Virtual and augmented reality
- Artificial intelligence
- Internet of things
- Robotics
- 3-D printing and makerspaces
- Geographic information systems and mapping
- Materials handling automation
- Self-service technology
- Library analytics and data-driven services
- Anything else related to public libraries and innovations in technology
