This fall, make it your resolution to take the next step with your professional development as a library professional and dive into Children and Libraries (CAL), the journal published by ALSC that lands in members’ inboxes and mailboxes every quarter. This journal is chock full of programming ideas, interviews, member profiles, and research pieces, and your great idea could be the next great article we are looking to publish!
Did you have a great program over the past year that reinvigorated your community, utilized staff in unique and interesting ways, or capitalized on untapped resources and partners in your area? Write that up and help yourself and your library get recognition in CAL—read by thousands of ALSC members nationwide, who are looking to CAL and its writers for ideas and inspiration. Sit down, type up what you did and how you made it happen, throw in some pictures, and we cannot wait to read it.
Interested in what makes an author tick and want to dive inside their brain? Interview them about their practice and their latest title and submit it to be featured in Children and Libraries. This is especially great for authors that have had a long writing history and have lore, tips, and insight to share that permeates through multiple genres of children’s literature.
Have you done research for a class, a work project, or personal endeavor that relates to children’s literature, library services, or some intersection of the two? Then consider getting that research officially published–publishing with Children and Libraries is a great way to strengthen your professional resume, share your ideas with the world, and get your ideas published.
CAL accepts submissions broadly–you don’t have to be an expert practitioner in the field to share what worked for you, explore a new topic, or continue your research. Make it your resolution to take the next step if you’ve been toying with some writing–Children and Libraries is here to help support your professional development. That’s PD for readers AND writers. We also accept work from students—if you’re in LIS school and doing great work, we want to hear about it and learn from you.
Not sure what kind of stuff CAL has published in the past? Head to our archives, which are available digitally and feature previous issues for you to explore. You can find out more about our publication processes on our website and get started on your next step in your professional development journey. Submissions for our next edition are due November 1, 2024. In the meantime, head to your mailboxes and look for the latest edition of CAL!
Aryssa Damron is the co-chair of the Children and Libraries Editorial Advisory Board and a school librarian in Washington, D.C.
This blog post relates to ALSC Core Competency VIII: Professionalism and Professional Development.