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How to Write
for Computers in Libraries
If you have an idea for an article for Computers in Libraries
magazine, please let us know!
- If you have an idea for an article that would fit our needs and style, take a look at our themes for upcoming issues
and try to match your article idea to one of the themes. Or propose a theme using the "any other" option.
- Don’t send already written
manuscripts, please.
- We are looking for interesting
articles, written as case studies or how-we-did-it pieces. We do not
publish academic research papers or vendor-written articles, and
CIL is not a peer-reviewed journal.
- When writing queries, please
remember this:
- CIL’s
mission is to provide librarians and other information professionals
with useful and insightful information about all computer-related
subjects that affect their jobs. CIL does this
through articles that are written by library professionals for library
professionals, with a friendly, personal voice. These general technical
articles should be practical and helpful for the average librarian in
any sort of environment—academic, public, special, K–12, or corporate
libraries. CIL aims to publish articles that are
interesting to read and appealing to people in many aspects of the
field.
You may submit queries using
our online form. For more
details see our FAQ!
FEATURE ARTICLES (Issue
Themes)
Computers in Libraries
2025 Editorial Themes
OVERALL THEME FOR 2025: Applying Technology for Library Success
Propose your case studies, best practices, and how-to stories on any tech-enabled effort that has helped your library achieve its purpose, vision, mission, or mandate.
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| Theme
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Case Studies and Stories About ... |
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CMSs & Websites
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What have you done to improve the user experience? Help patrons navigate your collection? Learn new digital literacy skills? Participate or learn from a distance? Engage in a virtual activity? What website platforms do you use, and how have you implemented, adapted and improved them? What are you doing to protect patron privacy and maintain online security? |
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ILS/Discovery/Search
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Talk about your experience with popular library ILSs, discovery layers, and integrated library platforms. How have you selected, migrated, and adapted them? How are they performing for you? What would you recommend? How have you documented your system, and what do you do to help users find what they are looking for?
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Catalogs, Collections, & Metadata
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Tell us about the challenges you have faced in managing your various collections and presenting them as one. How have you used metadata to improve discoverability? What new digital collections have you evaluated? What archival materials have you digitized? What self-help resources do you provide users?
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E-Resources
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Let’s hear about your e-resources and how you select, evaluate, and provide access to them. What are the benefits of digital over print? What role does print continue to play? How do you provide seamless access to references? What’s your experience with ebooks, e-audiobooks, research databases, and OA materials? |
| Digitization, Access, & Preservation |
How have you opened up your archives to digital research? Talk about your digitization efforts and the steps you took to make your special collections accessible and searchable on the web. What are the challenges you faced in digitizing and cataloging various types of media? What results have you been able to show?
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Web Resources
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Send us your tips, tricks, tools, and techniques for working with free resources on the open web, free apps, and OA platforms to make things happen in your library. How are you using cloud platforms and remote services to provide library systems and IT security? What online research sites do you recommend for your patrons?
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EdTech & Instruction
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What have you done to integrate library resources into learning management systems? How are you using technology to provide educational opportunities for students and patrons? What digital literacy efforts do you sponsor and with what success? What are the top 10 digital resources you would recommend? |
Platforms and Library Systems
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Report and review your experience with popular library platforms and discovery layers. Describe and discuss the systems that power library operations, lending, and special initiatives. Describe your experience with managing patron-facing equipment, including public access computers, self-checkout kiosks, 3D printers, and equipment loans.
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Data Management & Metrics
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Talk about the data you collect and analyze to report results. Share your experience with maintaining datasets for your library or your research community, including managing institutional data repositories or OA archives. Share your research or survey results on any library issue or impact. |
Cutting Edge Tech |
What emerging technologies has your library experimented with or deployed? What tech trends do you see having an impact on libraries in the near future? What are your concerns about library technology going forward? What’s your strategic advice for libraries that are considering adopting new tech? |
| Any Topic |
Tell us your story. We are always looking for articles on how you selected and deployed devices or systems, rolled out new tech-based solutions, and achieved desired outcomes via a technology framework, as well as case studies about OPACs, ILSs, and other library platforms.
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EDTECH Section |
How to use information technology in K-12 education; media and technology applications in school libraries; digital literacy instruction; teaching with technology; using technology to improve assessment; reviews of digital resources for schools, learning platforms, devices, apps, and software; issues affecting technology use in schools; surveys, case studies, and best practices for school libraries and media centers. Also. Public and School library partnerships. |
*Send your proposal via our online query form.
We’ll discuss exact materials due dates when your query is accepted.
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