We invite chapter proposals for this peer-reviewed collection to be published by ACRL press. We are seeking proposals from academic librarians who work in all spheres of library work. Proposals are due by January 5, 2022.
About the Book
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and other frameworks for applying Universal Design to teaching and learning have been around for over two decades, but have more recently become a topic of interest in academic libraries. Originally conceptualized as a way to support students with disabilities, UDL has now been shown to help all students. While academic librarians and library administrators are interested in adopting UDL, there have been limited practical examples that are relevant to academic libraries. Through this book, we seek to provide academic librarians with both a grounding in UDL theory and a toolkit they can use to implement UDL into their own work.
UDL theory has the potential to transform not just academic library instruction programs and websites, but all aspects of what our libraries do, including our services and behind the scenes work in areas like electronic resources, systems, and metadata. This book will explore exactly what UDL might look like in a wide range of academic library applications. As seen in the proposed list of topics, we hope to gather together chapters on how librarians can apply UDL to almost any area of library services. A variety of approaches are welcome, including chapters focused on theory, case studies, lesson plans, and chapters proposing best practices for specific applications of UDL.
Book Sections
We are seeking proposals related to the topics discussed below or on other topics that fit the theme of the book.
Section I: UDL theory and academic libraries
- What does UDL as a theory mean for academic libraries as a whole?
- How does UDL relate to other frameworks or theories that guide library practices?
- How useful are the existing frameworks (UDL, Universal Instructional Design, Universal Design for Instruction, Universal Design of Higher Education, etc.) for libraries?
- Should a separate framework be developed for libraries? If so, what would it look like?
- UDL and its connection to DEI either broadly or suggestions for UDL application to a specific academic library user population.
Section II. UDL in practice—Working directly with students
- How have you applied UDL to your own instruction?
- How have you incorporated UDL theory into digital learning objects?
- What does UDL look like when applied to providing reference services (in-person, chat, FAQs)?
- How can UDL be applied to other library service points or units (circulation desk, special collections/archives, learning commons, maker spaces, etc.)?
Section III. UDL in practice—Behind the scenes
- How have you applied UDL to your library website?
- How can UDL be applied to library functions that mainly occur behind the scenes, including:
- Cataloging/metadata
- Electronic resources
- Systems
- Acquisitions
- Data services
- Open access and OERs
- Scholarly communication
- Collection development
- How can UDL be incorporated into library management?
Submitting a Proposal
Please submit a tentative chapter title and description of 300-500 words, using the proposal form. The form also requests author names, titles, and institutions.
Publication Timeline
Proposals are due by January 5, 2022.
Authors will be notified of their status (accept or decline) by February 1, 2022.
A first draft of approximately 2000-4000 words (excluding endnotes and bibliography) will be due on May 15, 2021, and after receiving editorial feedback, a final draft will be due on August 15, 2022. Chapters must not be previously published or simultaneously submitted elsewhere.
Anticipated book publication is 2023. Chapter authors will be able to make their chapters open access by posting final copies of their chapter in their institutional repositories under a Creative Commons license.
For additional information, please email: UDLforAcademic@gmail.com
Co-editors:
Rachel McMullin
Associate Professor, Humanities Librarian
West Chester University
Danielle Skaggs
Associate Professor, Online and Distance Services Librarian
West Chester University
