Wednesday, October 18, 2017

CFP: Reference Services Review Special Issue on Library Services for People with Disabilities

We have been asked to edit a special theme issue on services for people with disabilities for the peer-reviewed library science journal “Reference Services Review”.  If you are a librarian or work with a librarian to provide such services, please consider this publication opportunity.  The call for papers (below) is also posted online at: http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/call_for_papers.htm?id=7516

Reference Services Review Call for Papers for Theme Issue on Library Services for People with Disabilities

Reference Services Review is seeking authors to write on the theme of library support for people with disabilities in any type of setting, in any country.  Examples of topics include (but are not restricted to):

-- Collaborations to promote services for people with disabilities in the community, schools, campuses, assisted living centers, or other settings
-- Library collections and formats to support services for people with disabilities
-- Library outreach to people with disabilities
-- Incorporating services for people with disabilities into training or education programs conducted by librarians
-- Virtual library services for people with disabilities
-- Compliance with ADA, web accessibility, service/support animals, other standards (in library buildings or online)
-- Research or assessment of accessibility/disability issues & libraries
-- Establishing a library environment that welcomes and enables access for all
-- Advocacy efforts to promote social justice and library access for people with disabilities
-- Adaptive technology, including emerging technologies, in libraries
-- Relevant library staff training (awareness, etiquette, culture)
-- Recruiting and supporting differently-abled library staff
-- Enabling and promoting access to digital collections for people with disabilities
-- Sources and means of securing funding to support relevant collections and services in libraries
-- Literature review of existing publications dealing with library and collection accessibility for persons with disabilities

Proposals/abstracts due by email: November 15, 2017
Manuscripts will be due by March 15.  
The theme issue, Volume 46 Issue 3, will be published in August 2018.  Submitted manuscripts are evaluated using a double-blind peer review process.  Authors may expect to work on revisions during late April / early May.  Final manuscripts will be dueMay 15, 2018.

Send proposals/abstracts or inquiries to:  

Anna Ercoli Schnitzer (schnitzr@umich.edu), Disability Issues and Outreach Librarian, Taubman Health Sciences Library, University of Michigan
and
Theresa Arndt (arndtt@dickinson.edu), Associate Director Library Resources & Administration, Waidner-Spahr Library, Dickinson College.

Reference Services Review (RSR) is a quarterly, refereed journal dedicated to the enrichment of reference knowledge and the advancement of reference services.  RSR covers all aspects of reference functions, including automation of reference services, evaluation and assessment of reference functions and sources, models for delivering quality reference services in all types and sizes of libraries, development and management of teaching/learning activities, promotion of information literacy programs, and partnerships with other entities to achieve reference goals and objectives.

RSR prepares its readers to understand and embrace current and emerging technologies affecting reference functions, instructional services and information needs of library users. RSR also contains important literature guides on cultural, social, economic, political, and environmental issues, especially those which reflect a global, international perspective.  More details about the journal, including author guidelines are at:  http://www.emeraldinsight.com/rsr.htm