Thursday, July 06, 2017

Call for Chapters: 2nd Ed. of Top Technologies Every Librarian Needs to Know

You are invited to submit a chapter proposal for the second edition of the successful and positively-reviewed 2014 book published by ALA, The Top Technologies Every Librarian Needs to Know. Chapter proposals are due July 15, 2017, and can be submitted via the chapter proposal form.

Theme of the Book

What current technologies are on the cusp of moving from "gee whiz" to real-life application in libraries? This book will explore the information landscape as it might be in 3-5 years. It will describe the emerging technologies of today that are likely to be at the core of "standard" library offerings in the not-distant future. It will introduce project managers and project doers not just to new technologies, but also provide an understanding of the broader trends that are driving them.

Chapter-length essays are particularly sought on the following topics:

  • Augmented reality
  • Content Management
  • Digital Preservation
  • Digital repositories
  • Effect of cloud-based library management systems
  • Ereaders & Ebooks
  • Internet of Things
  • Library custom-built/open source tools at scale
  • Library integrations of multiple services/tools
  • Mobile Technologies (beyond responsive design)
  • Open source LMS developments
  • Patron privacy technology (focus on technology, not policies)
  • Shared print repositories
  • Tools for analytics (tools beyond Google Analytics); in-depth applications
  • User-centered design
  • Virtual reality
Details

Chapters will be in the 4000-4500 word range and must address the following points:

  1. Define the technology (in general, and in the context of the chapter)
  2. Why does the technology matter in general, and to libraries in particular?
  3. What are early adopters doing?
  4. What does the future trend look like?
  5. Having embraced this technology, what would the library of 2022 look like?
Proposals should be submitted to Ken Varnum, the book's editor, via https://goo.gl/forms/LwXOcJfTBho6hycQ2 by July 15, 2017.

Timeline
  • July 15, 2017: Chapter proposals due via Call for Chapters Form
  • August 15, 2017: Authors notified of acceptance
  • December 15, 2017: Chapter drafts due
  • January 31, 2018: Editor's comments provided to authors
  • February 28, 2018: Revised drafts due to editor

About the Editor

Ken Varnum is the Senior Program Manager for Discovery, Delivery, and Library Analytics at the University of Michigan Library. Ken's research and professional interests include discovery systems, library analytics, and technology in the library setting. An experienced editor, author, and presenter, he wrote "Drupal in Libraries" (2012) and edited "The Top Technologies Every Librarian Needs to Know" (2014) and "The Network Reshapes the Library: Lorcan Dempsey on Libraries, Services and Networks" (2014). His most recent book, "Exploring Discovery: The Front Door to Your Library’s Licensed and Digitized Content" was published in 2016. For a full list of articles, presentations, and books, please see https://varnum.org/. Ken can be reached by email (varnum@umich.edu) or Twitter (@varnum).