About Us

ALCTS News is an official publication of the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS), a division of the American Library Association. It replaced the ALCTS Newsletter Online (ISSN 1523-018X) in September 2013; that publication replaced the ALCTS Newsletter (ISSN 1047-949X) in December 1998.

ALCTS News is free and openly available to anyone with access to the Web. All materials in ALCTS News subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be downloaded and printed for the noncommercial purpose of scientific or educational advancement granted by sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976. For other reprinting, transmission, or translating, address requests to the ALA Office of Rights and Permissions, 50 E. Huron St, Chicago, IL 60611; 1-800-545-2433.

Advertisers are welcome. Please see our current rate card.

Editorial Policy

Purpose

The primary purpose of the ALCTS News is to report the news and activities of ALCTS and its members, and to be the voice of the association. To that end, ALCTS News publishes:

  • Features highlighting ALCTS members’ unique projects, activities, and experiences in the workplace
  • Summary reports of ALCTS programs, preconferences, and institutes
  • Board, committee, interest group, and liaison reports and activities*
  • Candidates for office in the association
  • Member updates: awards, honors, personal achievements, retirements, obituaries

For more information on ALCTS awards, publications, upcoming programs, committee and interest group activities, and regional workshops, see the ALCTS website.

*Please note that meeting minutes and agendas from the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibitions and ALA Midwinter & Exhibits are available on ALAIR.

A secondary focus is reporting activities of interest to the membership relating to practice and developments in the fields of library collections and technical services, such as:

  • Announcements of upcoming activities of other ALA and non-ALA groups
  • Summary reports of meetings and activities of these groups
  • Announcements of new standards and standards under development
  • New policies and guidelines and their effect on ALCTS members and the profession
  • Legislative updates and international activities affecting the profession
  • Recent publications of interest to members
  • Brief articles on best practices in the field
  • State or regional association activities and news

ALCTS News does not accept articles about commercially sold products.

Submissions

News releases or article ideas may be submitted to alctsnews@lists.ala.org.  Follow these guidelines and procedures for preparing submissions for ALCTS News.

Original submissions

Only original, unpublished submissions will be accepted. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of statements included. Articles and reports are generally 300–500 words. Longer submissions will be considered on an individual basis.

Style

Use the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed. Spell out abbreviations and acronyms at first use. Verify accuracy of all names (both personal and corporate). Confirm that email addresses or URLs provided in submissions are active and functioning.

Format

Use single line spacing within paragraphs. Separate paragraphs with double line spacing. Do not include highlighting, special fonts or text effects. Use only bold and italic. Do not include page numbers, and do not use headers or footers.

Figures and Photographs

Photographs, tables, and diagrams are all considered as figures and are strongly encouraged, though not required. Photographs should be submitted as .jpg or .png files, no larger than 4 x 6 inches, 72 dpi.

Number each figure consecutively. Text should contain a reference to the figure(s), i.e., “The filled boxes are then ready to go to storage. See figure 2.”

Provide a brief descriptive or explanatory caption for each figure, i.e., “Cooling system for the off-site storage facility.”

Submitting Manuscripts

Submit manuscripts in Microsoft Word format as an email attachment. Submissions may be sent at any time.

Copyright

Since submissions carry a byline, the ALCTS Office needs a signed copyright agreement on file. After submissions are received, authors will be sent a copyright form to complete and fax to the ALCTS Office (instructions will be provided at that time).