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Diversity CoverageQuestions and AnswersQ. How can I help American Libraries publish more material related to diversity? A. First, communicate with the editors, preferably by mail or e-mail. Regularly send news releases. Consider writing a letter to the editor for publication. If you want to write an article, start with a proposal letter and an outline. Good, timely color photographs are always welcome. Include the magazine in all your channels of communication. Q. Is the magazine open to unsolicited submissions? A. Yes, much of what you see in American Libraries is submitted without prompting. Q. At what section of the magazine should I aim my material? A. That depends. News about ALA and its units is generally published in “News Fronts ALA.” Comments on content and on issues of importance to the profession appear in “Reader Forum.” Longer opinion pieces can be aimed at “On My Mind.” Announcements of new positions, honors, and obituaries appear in “Currents.” Check through a recent issue to see what gets published in “News Fronts” and as feature articles. Q. Can I be sure that my piece will get published? A. No. The editors routinely consider hundreds of items every month and strive for fairness and balance. Q. What criteria are used to decide whether or not a submission is published? A. That depends on the material. If it’s a press release, timeliness and broad appeal are essential. Articles are judged by how well they are researched, organized, and written. Q. How do I know what to send? A. Ask yourself this question: Is this something I want 61,000 library professionals across the country and worldwide to know about? If the answer is yes, send it. On the other hand, if a much more targeted audience is the better option, consider sending the material to a smaller, more specialized journal or newsletter. Q. What if I’ve heard some news, but I don’t want to write it up myself? A. News tips are welcome. Call or e-mail with your suggestion as quickly as possible, and, depending on the magnitude and timeliness of the issue, the editors will follow up. Q. Will the editors rewrite my piece? A. All articles are edited for style. Sometimes pieces must be heavily cut or rewritten. The editors will sometimes ask for a major rewrite, with direction. Major news items are based on original reporting and interviews. Shorter items are based on press releases or other communication, which generally have to be shortened. Q. How can I avoid wasting my time writing an article that might not get published? A. American Libraries receives much more material than it can publish, with the exception of “Reader Forum” letters, which are very likely to get published. Space is always at a premium. Look at back issues of the magazine to see where your story might fit or to get ideas on style or content. Look at the editorial calendar and manuscript guidelines. Start with a query letter and a one-page outline of what the article would contain, who would be interviewed or quoted, what sources would be consulted. Identify who might be interested in reading the article and why. The editors will reply with direction. Q. What policies govern the selection of material? A. Editorial policy is stated in the ALA Policy Manual, section 10.2. It is reprinted in the masthead of every issue. The policy calls for the magazine to be the official organ of the Association as well as for editorial independence in news gathering and reporting. It also states that the magazine “shall be kept scrupulously and faithfully open to expression of all viewpoints of interest and concern to the library profession.” Q. What if I think my unit or group ought to have a monthly column? A. Columns are problematic. Too many groups want them and too few people read them. American Libraries is frequently lobbied to install columns, but there are ample opportunities for the same issues to be addressed in a livelier way in news, features, letters, opinions, or calendar entries. It is also important to maintain the distinction between advertising and editorial, between publicity and news. Q. How can I advertise an event or publication in American Libraries? A. First, make sure event information has been submitted for our online calendar. Member units of ALA should contact their staff liaison to find out about special arrangements for ad placement. Affiliates and other organizations can submit ads directly to the editor, and they will be used on a space-available basis. Event-related ad space is also available. Display advertising sales are handled by American Libraries’ advertising representatives Doug Lewis and Dave Adrian. Consult the Media Kit for full details. Professional reading for librarians is highlighted in “Librarian’s Library.” Send copies for review. |
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