AASL debuts new website and format for School Library Research

For Immediate Release
Tue, 05/01/2012

Contact:

Jennifer R Habley

Web Communications Manager

American Association of School Librarians (AASL)

800-545-2433 ext.4383

jhabley@ala.org

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has launched a new website for its online, refereed research journal, School Library Research (SLR). The new website coincides with a new name for the journal formerly known as School Library Media Research (SLMR).  The name change reflects the adoption of the professional title, “school librarian,” and a rebirth for the journal, which presents research on instructional theory, teaching methods and critical issues relevant to school libraries and school librarians. The new website can be found at www.ala.org/aasl/slr.

Along with the change in name and a new logo, the new School Library Research website contains all new navigation, formatting and features. Changes include:

  • A new PDF format for all published manuscripts beginning with Volume 15 (2012) and a retroactive conversion of all prior volumes. 
  • The ability to download each manuscript individually or all manuscripts contained in a volume.  Volume files include a cover with the new logo and table of contents.
  • Revised submission guidelines and a new online manuscript submission form.
  • New communication venues including an electronic mailing list and a news and highlights page for those wanting to keep up to date with the latest published research.  A new feedback form allows readers to share feedback on published manuscripts.
  • Correlations to other AASL publications.  This includes an all new Editor’s Choice, a bibliography of SLR manuscripts that provide insight into chapters from AASL’s Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Programs and a Knowledge Quest spotlight page, highlighting manuscripts that complement Knowledge Quest themes.
  • A new citations page, listing all SLR citations in alphabetical order by volume and author.

In addition to the new features, the website launch also marks the publication of the first three research papers of Volume 15 (2012):

  • "Seeing the Same: Follow-Up Study on the Portrayals of Disability in Graphic Novels by Young Adults" by Robin Moeller and Marilyn Irwin
  • "Retrospective Reflection: Insight into Pre-Service School Librarians’ Competencies and Skill Development as Revealed through Field Notes" by Elyse Dequoy and Joette Stefl-Mabry
  • "Motivators and Barriers to Sexual Health Information Provision in High School Libraries: Perspectives from District level Library Coordinators and High School Principals" by Jennifer Richey

“AASL’s peer-reviewed journal is respected as one of the most prestigious publishing venues for scholars in school librarianship,” said Jean Donham, SLR co-editor. “The new title has given us the opportunity to re-image the website and expand the journal’s reach, while still providing high quality, original research from scholars in our field.”

School Library Research (ISSN: 2165-1019) is the successor to School Library Media Research (ISSN: 1523-4320) and School Library Media Quarterly Online. The journal is peer-reviewed, indexed by H. W. Wilson's Library Literature and by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology and continues to welcome manuscripts that focus on high quality original research concerning the management, implementation, and evaluation of school library programs.   

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library field.