A Library Writer's Blog
Have writer's block? Hopefully this resource will help librarians identify publishing and presentation opportunities in library & information science, as well as other related fields. I will include calls for papers, presentations, participation, reviewers, and other relevant notices that I find on the web. If you find anything to be posted, please drop me a note. thanks -- Corey Seeman, University of Michigan(cseeman@umich.edu)
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
CFP: Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship (ISTL) #OpenAccess
Call for articles: Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship (ISTL)
Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship (ISTL) is accepting articles for open access publication. This includes peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed articles covering a range of topics related interest to science and technology librarians.
Some of the different types of articles we are looking for include case studies, practical applications, theoretical essays, and research papers relevant to the functions and operations of science and technology libraries in all settings. Take a look at the current issue to see the type of articles published in ISTL.
Take a look at the submission process here. Articles will be published on a rolling basis.
Have questions or any concerns? Feel free to email Hannah Lee at halee@csudh.edu (co-editor-in-chief)
Thursday, October 09, 2025
CFP: "Serials Spoken Here" Column in Serials Review - Fall Conference Reports
The “Serials Spoken Here” column in Serials Review is actively seeking contributors to submit conference reports for
- NASIG Autumn, Coverage of any session is welcome: https://nasigautumn2025.sched.
com - The Charleston Conference, Coverage of any session is welcome: https://www.charleston-hub.
com/the-charleston-conference/ agenda/ - Acquisitions Institute at Timberline Lodge, Coverage of any session is welcome: https://acquisitionsinstitute.
org/2025-program/ - ALA Core Forum, Coverage of sessions pertaining to serials only: https://2025coreforum.sched.
com/list/simple - or any local or regional conference session focusing on serials.
Conference reports are 750 words or less.
New for this “Serials Spoken Here” cycle: we are experimenting with poster session recaps. To complete a poster session recap, please focus on one poster per session that is germane to the very broad topic of “serials.” Please review the text of the poster as well as engage with the presenter about this topic, however that looks for you (in-person discussion, email conversation, reviewing any material linked from the poster, etc.).
Writing for “Serials Spoken Here” is an excellent way to inform colleagues who were unable to attend conferences, as well as complete a publication goal that could count towards tenure and promotion or continuing appointment. After submission it can take up to six months for your recap to be published in Serials Review.
When you submit your conference report, please add your ORCID iD (https://orcid.org/). If you do not have an ORCID iD, please seriously consider creating one. This unique identifier will afford you the opportunity to keep track of your research output.
Please fill out this Google Form to claim your session(s): https://forms.gle/
If you have any questions please email both co-editors Michelle Colquitt (mcolqui@clemson.edu) and Melissa Zilic (mzilic@depaul.edu).
This round of contributions will be due by December 1, 2025.
Tuesday, October 07, 2025
CFP: Academic Brass #BusnessLibrarianship
The Business Reference in Academic Libraries Committee of BRASS is seeking articles for the next issue of its online publication, Academic BRASS.
Academic BRASS is a newsletter--not a journal--that publishes issue-based articles and information for the general and educational interest of BRASS members and academic business librarians.
Topics of interest to the editors are those dealing with business librarianship, such as resources, liaison and outreach activities, strategies, and instruction. Reviews of books, databases, and websites are welcome as well. Maybe you have another cool idea - that's fine too - get those submissions in!
*Deadline for submissions for the upcoming issue is November 7, 2025 (Friday).*
You may want to see previous editions. For access to the full text articles of past issues of Academic BRASS, see http://www.ala.org/rusa/
The typical length of an Academic BRASS article is 500-800 words, but past articles have been as long as 1,000 words or more. Authors should be guided by what they have to say rather than by an arbitrary word length. All articles are subject to editing for length, style, and content, and there is a template on the "About Academic BRASS" page (www.ala.org/rusa/sections/
Regarding AI in writing, we added one more guideline this fall: The use of generative AI tools must be fully disclosed in accordance with APA Journals policy on generative AI: Additional guidance. Articles must be authored and co-authored by humans; AI tools may only be used to support the author's own ideation, critical thinking, and creative processes.
Please send article proposals or submissions to all of the editors, Henry Huang (yh4041@nyu.edu), Judy Opdahl (jopdahl@csusm.edu), Mary Carter (mary.carter@princeton.edu), Josh Herrington (Joshua.Herrington@colorado.
Best,
Henry
------------------------------
Henry Huang
Reference and Research Services Librarian for Business, Reference Services Coordinator
NYU Shanghai
Email: yh4041@nyu.edu
orcid.org/0000-0002-7734-7649
Saturday, October 04, 2025
Call for Chapters: Supporting Skilled Trades Training in the Academic Library #ACRL #BookChapters #CFP
Call for Proposals
ACRL book Supporting Skilled Trades Training in the Academic Library
“Please share widely!”
I am excited to invite chapter proposals for the forthcoming ACRL book Supporting Skilled Trades Training in the Academic Library. This edited volume aims to help readers develop collections development, instruction, and research strategies that support skilled trades education. I am seeking case studies, empirical research, and alternative ways of knowing representing all types of academic libraries as important partners in skilled trades programs. Demand for skilled tradespeople has never been stronger, with private and public sectors responding with investment in training people for promising careers on the shop floor, the construction site, the kitchen, and the salon. The role of libraries in hands-on learning may not seem obvious but across North America, libraries are contributing everything from collaborative makerspaces and essential technical data to focused workshops and simulation technologies. This book examines the real challenges and opportunities in trades education and how academic libraries have positioned themselves to support learning and teaching success. I am looking for multiple perspectives on library/trades program partnerships that have real impact on student skill development, career pathways, and entrepreneurship. The book is tentatively divided into the following sections:
Part 1. Academic Libraries in the Skilled Trades Training Ecosystem
Chapter 1. Exploring the library / skilled trades training connection
- Definitions and the range of careers in trades
- Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats in trades education (e.g., retention, access to specialized tools, etc.)
- Critical thinking in the trades
- Implications of the above for libraries
Chapter 2. Collections Development in the Trades
- Identifying and acquiring the specialized, unique information resources for trades education
- Challenges and opportunities of working with industry-focused vendors; challenges (fiscal, technical) of acquiring industry resources for the library
- Copyright, fair dealing/use and the role of OER – library’s role
- How AR/VR Technology is Disrupting Trades Education – library’s role
- Creative collection development initiatives; libraries loaning non-traditional materials (e.g., a cooking gear or tools)
Chapter 3. Entrepreneurship and Trades Education
- The business of trades for those interested in opening their own businesses
- Ideas for courses and research assignments, like creating business plans, conducting local market research, etc.
Part 2. Case Studies from the Shop Floor to the Library
Case studies could include for each trade: collections/specialized resources, supporting off-campus locations, preparing students for exams from governing bodies, and specialized instruction, spaces, services, etc.
Chapter 4: Transportation Trades
Chapter 5: Construction Trades
Chapter 6: Manufacturing Trades
Chapter 7: Service Trades
To submit a proposal, please visit https://forms.gle/
The form will require:
- Author names
- Job titles
- Emails
- Institutional affiliations
- A working chapter title
- An abstract up to 500 words
- Link to a current CV or list of publications
Timeline:
- December 1, 2025: Chapter proposals due
- January 12, 2026: Authors notified of acceptance of chapter proposals
- June 1, 2026: Chapter drafts due
- August 3, 2026: Chapter drafts returned to authors for revisions
Questions? libraries4tradesbook@gmail.com
Thursday, October 02, 2025
CFP: The Library Collective - From Tidepools to Open Seas: Collective at Sea 2026 is Boarding (May 2026 - on a cruise ship out of Galveston)
The Collective at Sea 2026: Call for Proposals + Registration Now Open!
From Tidepools to Open Seas – Growing Small Ideas into Big, Transformative Practices
Every great wave starts as a ripple. At The Collective at Sea 2026, we’re celebrating the small, strange, and sustaining ideas that shape the future of libraries. Tidepools are where experiments thrive — and we’re ready to see them swim into open waters.

- Call for Proposals is OPEN! Share your experiments, your lessons learned, and your strangest ideas. We want sessions that mix imagination with action — bold ideas paired with practical skills. Submit here:
Submit Your Proposal
- Registration is OPEN! Don’t miss your chance to join us on board. Cabins are filling fast, and you’ll want to secure your spot now.
Register for The Collective at Sea 2026

Wednesday, October 01, 2025
Call for Peer Reviewers: Humanities Methods in Librarianship #OpenAccess
Humanities Methods in Librarianship is seeking peer reviewers to join our team!
- Archives
- Art
- Cultural studies
- History
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Religion
Monday, September 29, 2025
CFP: Capters for The Practical Literacies Cookbook (ACRL)
Call for Chapters
The Practical
Literacies Cookbook (ACRL) Edited by Haley L. Lott
The Association of College and Research Libraries
(ACRL) is accepting “recipe” (chapter) proposals on instructional activities for teaching skills
that extend information literacy and connect
it to other essential areas of student learning for The Practical Literacies Cookbook, edited by Haley L. Lott.
This volume will feature practice-based lesson
plans, activities, and programs that help undergraduates build the durable,
adaptable skills needed to thrive in college and beyond. Drawing on the
foundations of information literacy, the Practical
Literacies Cookbook highlights the critical
role libraries play in preparing
students for life after college
while also supporting media,
civic, financial, legal, and professional literacies. Organized into four
sections, the volume focuses on skills that can be realistically incorporated
into time- constrained library instruction and outreach. Proposals are welcome
that capture library collaborations with other campus units such as student
success centers, academic advising,
career services, residence life, etc.
Proposals are due by November
14, 2025.
We are seeking 500–700 word proposals for recipes
or chapters on practice-based examples of lesson
plans, activities, or programs that extend information literacy into other areas of student learning. Recipes
will generally follow the ACRL Cookbook Format. Your proposal can be related to
the following four key areas:
Section 1: Critical Engagement with Information and Society
This section features lesson plans and activities
that teach students how to evaluate media, detect misinformation, and engage
with civic issues. Recipes will highlight how information shapes public
discourse and provide strategies for responsible participation in society.
Sample topics include:
- Detecting misinformation and viral spread
- Understanding polls and surveys
- Diversifying one’s media diet
- Fact-checking and the SIFT method
- Practicing civil discourse
- Knowing your rights in civic action
- Advocacy strategies and grassroots organizing
Section 2: Building a Strong Financial
Foundation
This section features lesson plans and
activities that cover essential money management
skills, including budgeting,
saving, credit scores, student loans, and financial decision- making. Recipes in
this section should help students understand banking, financial aid, and
cost-eYective living strategies. Note:
This section provides guidance on finding and accessing quality financial
information, but does not oAer financial advice.
Sample topics include:
- Budgeting basics
- Managing credit scores
- Subscription traps and hidden costs
- Banking basics
- Understanding tax forms
- Freelancing in the gig economy
- Beginner investments
- Cryptocurrency basics
Section
3: Understanding Rights,
Responsibilities, and Contracts
This section features lesson plans and activities
that explore legal literacies, covering essential knowledge of contracts, tenant rights, workplace
protections, copyright and fair
use, and navigating legal resources. Recipes should provide guidance on finding
credible legal information but not oYer legal advice.
Sample topics include:
- Understanding everyday legal documents
- Digital privacy rights
- Reading the fine print
- Finding credible legal information
- Copyright and fair use
- Tenant rights and responsibilities
- ADA accommodations in the workplace
Section 4: Designing Meaningful Careers and Futures
This section features lesson plans and activities
that focus on preparing students for employment, covering résumés, interviews,
networking, professional communication, workplace expectations, and salary
negotiation. Recipes should equip students to confidently transition into
professional environments and adapt to evolving career pathways.
Sample topics include:
- Planning career growth
- Salary negotiation
- Résumé preparation
- Cover letter writing
- Networking skills
- Professional communication
- Navigating workplace expectations
- Managing the transition into a first job
Proposals should be between 500-700 words in length
and include a chapter title, audience description, learning objectives
connected to the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy (if applicable), the
length of the activity or activities in minutes (if applicable), a general description of the activity, lesson, event, or curriculum map, and an indication of how the activity will be
assessed.
We encourage proposals from first-time authors,
paraprofessional staY, and contributors
from underrepresented or marginalized groups.
Have a creative idea that doesn’t seem to
fit? Reach out to the editor at PracticalLiteracies@gmail.com to explore where it might belong.
Submit proposals by November 14, 2025, via this form:
https://tinyurl.com/PracticalLiteraciesCookbook
Contributors will be notified of their proposal’s
status by December 18th, 2025. The deadline to submit the first draft of accepted
chapters for revision
is February 15th, 2026.