Call for Papers: Edited Collection on Libraries and Cultural Rights Publication

Call for Papers: Edited Collection on Libraries and Cultural Rights Publication

Seeking chapters for a new edited collection entitled Beyond Article 19: Libraries and Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.

This book will address the subject of libraries and cultural rights, a topic that has received relatively little attention in the past, but which librarians and others concerned with human rights are beginning to recognize and discuss. Librarians have long been concerned with individual rights and have worked tirelessly to protect and preserve those rights, but little has been written about the role that libraries can play in protecting and promoting group rights, specifically cultural rights. This book will examine this shortfall by exploring the relationship between libraries, cultural rights, and community life and identity.

We are seeking chapters that take a theoretical, practical, and/or historical approach to the issue. Possible chapter themes include:

* Theoretical explorations of libraries and cultural, economic, and social rights
* Legislation that protects libraries as social and cultural institutions
* Legal and judicial aspects of libraries and cultural rights
* The role of libraries in creating and preserving cultural memory
* The history of libraries and cultural rights/community identity
* Libraries as vehicles for social, economic, and cultural expression
* Explorations of Article 27 – how and why do/should libraries participate in the cultural life of a community
* Cultural rights as social rights in the library – moving beyond static collections to dynamic spaces of interaction
* Libraries as cultural mediators – how is cultural life defined/negotiated in multicultural communities.
* Is there a difference between cultural life as represented in national archives versus common public libraries? Should there be?
* How can libraries represent community identity while operating in a globalized world?
* Libraries as reflective and/or prescriptive of cultural identity
* Can libraries as “neutral spaces” actually serve as centers of cultural and community identity?

This collection of essays will clarify these issues, underscore their importance and significance, and lay the groundwork for further inquiry.

Please send an abstract and vita to the editors, Julie Biando Edwards (julie.edwards@umontana.edu) and Stephan P.
Edwards(stephan.edwards@umontana.edu) by MARCH 30, 2009. Completed chapters will be due to the editors on JUNE 1, 2009.

Julie Biando Edwards
Assistant Professor, Ethnic Studies Librarian & Multicultural Coordinator
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library - MLIB 314
University of Montana
Missoula, Montana 59812
406-243-4505

Stephan P. Edwards
Director, First-Year Interest Groups and 4-Bear Program
Adjunct Professor
Lommasson Center 280
The University of Montana
32 Campus Dr.
Missoula, MT 59812
406-243-4415

Call for Presenters: Our Town, Common Ground: Academic Libraries’ Collaboration with Public Libraries (ALA Annual 2009)

Call for Presenters: Our Town, Common Ground: Academic Libraries’ Collaboration with Public Libraries (ALA Annual 2009)

The College Libraries Section of ACRL invites you to submit a presentation proposal for a program tentatively scheduled for Sunday, July 12, 2009 from 10:30 until noon at the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. The title of the program is Our Town, Common Ground: Academic Libraries’ Collaboration with Public Libraries.

This session is co-sponsored in name only by the Public Library Association (PLA) and the Community and Junior College Libraries Section (CJCLS).

We would like the program to provide real-world examples of academic and public libraries cooperating with one another. Experiences and reflections may be presented by individual librarians or co-presenters who represent academic and/or public libraries. Examples of cooperative endeavors include but are not limited to shared systems, buildings, or programming; cooperative digitization projects; services for distance learners; and consortial relationships. The collaborations may be short-term endeavors or permanent partnerships.

Four presentations of 15 minutes each will be selected through a blind review process. This will permit time for dialog between the presenters and questions from the audience within the 90 minutes allocated for our meeting. This presentation may be recorded as a web cast, and made available on the ALA website.

If you are interested in presenting, please send a proposal of 500 words or less to Ruth Connell at ruth.connell@valpo.edu by October 1, 2008. Please send questions to the same e-mail address. Notification of acceptance will be made by November 1, 2008.

Mary P. (Mollie) Freier
Head of Public Services and Associate Professor
Lydia M. Olson Library
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI 49855-5301
Phone: (906) 227-1061

Call for Submissions (Librarians as Community Partners: An Outreach Handbook)

Call for Submissions (Librarians as Community Partners: An Outreach Handbook)

Seeking Submissions from Practicing Librarians (U.S.) for Librarians as Community Partners: An Outreach Handbook (publisher: American Library Association)

Foreword: Kathy Barco, READiscover New Mexico: A Tri-Lingual Adventure in Literacy (Sunstone Press, 2007); children's librarian, Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Public Library

Afterword: Edith Campbell, Media Director, Arlington High School, Indianapolis. Indiana Libraries, Viewpoints; http://campbele.wordpress.com

Articles by practicing librarians sharing their experiences on how U.S. librarians are not tied to computers inside libraries: how librarians partner, outreach, and market libraries in their communities. Librarians with ethnic backgrounds serving diverse cultures are encouraged.

One article, 1900-2100 words; no co-authors. Practical, concise, how-to contributions are needed.

Possible topics: workshops at senior centers, story hours at community swimming
pools, innovative literacy outreach, partnering with artists and writers,
creative youth participation, effective advocacy with elected officials.

Editor Carol Smallwood, MLS, has written, co-authored, edited 19 books such as
Educators as Writers for Scarecrow, Libraries Unlimited, Peter Lang, and
others. Her work has appeared in English Journal, Clackamas Literary Review,
The Detroit News, and several others including anthologies. Pudding House
Publications published her 2008 chapbook, a recent book is
http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-3575-3

The deadline for current cycle of submissions is October 30, 2008.
Contributor’s sign an ALA Writer Agreement before publication. Compensation:
a complimentary copy, discount on additional copies

Please submit 3-4 brief topic proposals with a 65-70 word bio beginning with
your library of employment, title, highlights of your community library
outreach activities, awards, and related professional contributions. Place
PARTNERS/your name on the subject line to: smallwood@tm.net