The Southeastern Librarian

• Current and Back Issues
• Guidelines for Submissions and Author Instructions
• Call for reviewers
• Guidelines for reviewers

Guidelines for Submissions and Author Instructions

The Southeastern Librarian (SELn) is the official publication of the Southeastern Library Association (SELA). The quarterly publication seeks to publish articles, announcements, and news of professional interest to the library community in the southeast. The publication also represents a significant means for addressing the Association's research objective. Two newsletter-style issues serve as a vehicle for conducting Association business, and two issues include juried articles.

1. Articles need not be of a scholarly nature but should address professional concerns of the library community. SELn particularly seeks articles that have a broad southeastern scope and/or address topics identified as timely or important by SELA sections, round tables, or committees.
2. News releases, newsletters, clippings, and journals from libraries, state associations, and groups throughout the region may be used as sources of information.
3. Submissions should be directed to: Perry Bratcher, SELn Editor, 503A Steely Library, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099. Phone: (859) 572-6309. Fax: (859) 572-6181. E-mail: bratcher@nku.edu.
4. Manuscripts must be submitted in electronic format as attachment to an e-mail, preferably in MS Word or compatible format.  Articles should be written in a grammatically correct, simple, readable style. The author is responsible for the accuracy of all statements in the article and should provide complete and accurate bibliographic citations. Although longer or shorter works may be considered, 2,000- to 5,000-word manuscripts are most suitable.
5. Notes should appear at the end of the manuscript in a section titled "References." The editor will refer to the latest edition of The Chicago Manual of Style is followed for capitalization, punctuation, quotations, tables, captions, and elements of bibliographic style. The basic forms for books and journals in the reference list are as follows:

- Gilmer, Lois C. 1994. Interlibrary Loan: Theory and Management. Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited

- Childress, Schelley. 1994. "Planning for the Worst: Disaster Planning in the Library." The Southeastern Librarian 44 (2) (Summer): 51-55.

6. The name, position, and professional address of the author should appear in the bottom left-hand corner of a separate title page. The author's name should not appear anywhere else in the document.
7. Photographs will be accepted for consideration but cannot be returned.  Digital images are preferred.
8. No other publisher should be simultaneously considering a manuscript submitted to SELn until that manuscript is returned or the editor provides written permission.
9. Upon receipt, a manuscript will be acknowledged by the editor. Incoming manuscripts are added to a manuscript bank from which articles are selected for each issue. The editor assigns manuscripts to at least two reviewers who receive the manuscript with no direct information on the author or the author's affiliation. Following the review, a decision will be communicated to the writer. A definite publication date is given prior to publication. Publication can be expected within twelve months.
10. Beginning with Vol. 51, #3 (2003), The Southeastern Librarian has entered into an agreement to license electronic publishing rights to H. W. Wilson Company.  Authors agree to assign copyright of manuscripts to The Southeastern Library Association, subject to certain limited licenses granted back to the author. 
11. Advertisements may be purchased.  The appearance of an ad does not imply endorsement or sponsorship by SELA. Contact the editor for further information.
12. Readers who wish to comment on articles in the journal should address the letters to the editor. Letters should be succinct, no longer than 200 words. Letters will be published on a space available basis.

Call for reviewers

The SELn Editorial Board solicits members to serve as volunteer reviewers. Beginning with the volume 49 Summer 1999 issue, two issues of The Southeastern Librarian will include juried articles.

We need representatives who are qualified to evaluate the content of articles so that the articles are "referred" by those with subject knowledge as well as by those with a knowledge in research methodology. As such, we are seeking individuals from all types of libraries representing a broad range of responsibilities.

These volunteer reviewers will be asked to review articles in their area of subject expertise and to make a recommendation regarding publication. Each reviewer will receive a packet including instructions for authors, guidelines for reviewers, and an article rating sheet. Reviewers must be members of SELA.

To volunteer or nominate someone to serve on the jury, please contact Perry Bratcher, SELn Editor, 503A Steely Library, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099. Phone: (859) 572-6309. Fax: (859) 572-6181. E-mail: bratcher@nku.edu.

Guidelines for reviewers

The Southeastern Librarian (SELn) is a refereed journal using double-blind refereeing of articles before publication. The editor assigns manuscripts to at least two reviewers who receive the manuscript with no direct information on the author or the author's affiliation. Reviewers address the content and style of the manuscript.

1. Read and return manuscripts to the editor within three to four weeks.
2. Make suggested revisions in ink on the manuscript.
3. Complete a SELn article review sheet (Word or PDF). The most important part of marking a manuscript is to provide concrete, specific examples for the author. For example, rather than suggesting that a writer eliminate unnecessary words or tighten organization, provide an example. For organizational weaknesses, numbering the paragraphs to indicate which should come first, second, or last may be helpful. Providing such specifics will reduce the number of revisions needed to bring an article to publication.
4. Supply citations, when possible, to any significant information that the author might use or cite in the piece to strengthen it and make it more relevant to readers.

Style

prefer use of active voice

shorter sentences and paragraphs and varied sentence structure are encouraged

contractions, if not overused, are fine

avoid use of jargon and acronyms, define all terms

Content

well researched (check footnotes)

factually correct (check names, dates, places)

relevance to the audience

timeliness of the topic

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For more information about SELA's The Southeastern Librarian, please contact Perry Bratcher, SELn Editor, 503A Steely Library, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099. Phone: (859) 572-6309. Fax: (859) 572-6181. E-mail: bratcher@nku.edu.