Policies & Procedures

Section I: Children and Libraries: The Journal of the Association for Library Service to Children

A. Statement of Purpose

Children and Libraries (CAL) is the official journal of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association. The Journal primarily serves as a vehicle for continuing education of librarians working with children, which showcases current scholarly research and practice in library service to children. It also serves as a vehicle for communication to the ALSC membership, spotlighting significant activities and initiatives of the Association.

B. Content

The text normally takes the form of original articles, bibliographic essays, presentations from division programs, and columns from division committees. The articles may be refereed or solicited by the editor.

CAL, in its responsibility as a vehicle for communication for the membership of ALSC, will contain refereed scholarly articles, feature stories, and interviews. Content may deal with any aspect of library resources and services to children in all types of libraries. Regular departments may include columns from division committees, editorials, letters to the editor, and guidelines for authors.

C. Publications Rights

ALA/ALSC holds “right of first refusal” to publish all speeches and papers presented at events sponsored by ALSC except for previously published and copyrighted material. This includes preconference and program events held during the Annual Conferences and/or Midwinter Meetings of ALA as well as any other ALSC institutes, workshops, conferences, or division-sponsored program activities.

D. Copyright

All material in CAL is subject to copyright by ALA and may be reprinted or photocopied and distributed for the noncommercial purpose of educational or scientific advancement. All such reprints and photocopies must include a credit line attributing the material to ALA and CAL. (Contact the ALA Rights and Permissions Office for specific text to be used in the credit line. See Item E in section II below.)

E. Editorial Responsibility

The editor has the final responsibility for the content of CAL within the parameters of ALA and ALSC policies. The policies are located in the ALA and ALSC Handbooks. The editor assumes an obligation to represent the best interests of the division fairly and as fully as possible within the scope of the Journal and with due regard to the editor's prerogative for producing a balanced and readable publication. Detailed qualifications, duties, and responsibilities are spelled out in a formal written description of the editor position.

The editor is hired by ALSC as an independent contractor. The annual contract is renewable contingent on performance.

The editor will be paid an annual stipend, determined by ALSC and agreed upon by the editor as outlined in the contract, to cover salary and minor editorial-related expenses (i.e., photocopying, communications). An additional stipend of $600 per year is available to cover expenses associated with attendance at the ALA Annual and Midwinter Conferences on official journal business.

F. Children and Libraries Editorial Advisory Committee

The advisory committee serves to:

Develop editorial policies for CAL, subject to review and approval by the ALSC Board.

Recommend to the editor individuals to serve as referees, reviewers, and contributors.

Review material submitted for publication upon request of the editor.

G. Advertising

All advertising is subject to publisher's (ALA and ALSC) approval. Publisher reserves the right to reject advertising. Advertiser and advertising agency assume liability for all content (including text representation and illustrations) of any advertisement printed, and also assume responsibility for any claims against the publisher resulting from the printed advertisement. The publisher assumes no responsibility if, for any reason, it becomes necessary to omit an advertisement.

H. Accessibility

Children and Libraries is a perquisite of ALSC membership. It is also available to non-members by subscription, and access to individual articles online may be sold to non-members. The most recent four issues in the online format are embargoed and only available to ALSC members, paid subscribers, and those purchasing access to individual articles. Earlier issues have open access.

Section II. Personnel

A. CAL Editor

The editor of CAL will:

1) Assume final authority for content of each issue.

2) Be responsible for manuscript solicitation, management of the referee process in accordance with procedures developed with the editorial advisory committee, and editing.

3) Submit copy to ALA Production Services in accordance with established procedures and schedule.

4) Read and edit page proofs.

5) Serve as an ex-officio member of the CAL Editorial Advisory Committee and carry out all remaining duties spelled out in the formal, written description of the editor position.

B. ALSC Program Officer, Communications

The Program Officer, Communications of ALSC will:

1) Oversee all aspects of production, distribution, and financial management of CAL within the parameters of ALA and ALSC policies.

2) Serve as Managing Editor and in that capacity will:

- Prepare and submit the budget for review by the appropriate bodies.

- Manage the CAL finances.

- Handle day-to-day responsibilities for CAL, including but not limited to:

a) Act as ALSC liaison with CAL Editor, ALA Production Services Department, and online hosting vendor.

b) Contract with an advertising sales manager to represent and sell display advertising for CAL.

c) Manage conference travel logistics for the editor and advertising sales manager.

d) Manage advertising revenue, requesting ad invoicing by ALA Accounting Office.

C. ALA Production Services (ALA/PS)

ALA/PS, in conjunction with the ALSC executive director and Program Officer, Communications, will:

1) Submit production budget to the ALSC staff.

2) Establish and maintain contracts with suppliers, typesetters, and printers.

3) Establish the annual production schedule in consultation with the editor and ALSC staff.

4) File copyright forms received from the division/editor with ALA Rights and Permissions Office, process reprint requests, provide copyediting, page composition, and proofreading for CAL.

5) Manage distribution of CAL, e.g., postal permits and mailing labels.

6) Receive, handle, and proof advertisements.

7) Arrange for indexing of CAL in consultation with ALSC staff.

D. ALA Customer Service

The office shall record and maintain the subscription records of CAL.

E. ALA Rights and Permissions Office

The office, in consultation with ALSC staff, and in accordance with the ALA Rights and Permissions Policy, shall handle all requests for permission to reprint from CAL.

F. ALA Accounting Office

The office, in consultation with ALSC staff, will handle invoicing, collection, and reporting of display advertising revenue.

Revised and approved by the ALSC Board of Directors, 2014

Originally approved by ALSC Board of Directors, April 2004

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