Slaw readers may be interested in this new open access electronic journal, as well as the call for submissions in the "Innovations in Practice" and "Theory and Research" sections. (This came to my attention via a posting to the University of Alberta SLIS alumni list, cross-posted elsewhere also.)

Partnership: the Canadian Journal of Library and Information Practice and Research

The first issue is scheduled for the fall of 2006 and we are now calling for submissions for the peer-reviewed sections: Innovations in Practice and Theory and Research. Deadline for submissions is July 15, 2006.

Scope:

This electronic journal is a practitioner’s journal of The Partnership published twice a year. Articles may be contributed at any time for publication consideration. Potential articles are reviewed by members of an editorial review committee. Articles fall into several categories. Feature articles on theory & research and on innovations in practice are in-depth, peer-reviewed articles and fall in the range of 1,000 to 5,000 words. Other types of articles include viewpoints, conference presentations, profiles, news & announcements, professional development and reviews.

Sections:

Feature Articles:

Theory and Research

May include, but are not limited to, theoretical issues surrounding philosophies, policies and trends in all types of library and information environments. Research articles can be either quantitative or qualitative in nature. Empirical models (evidence-based or experimental techniques) and exploratory models of investigation are welcome. Articles should be 1500-5000 words and will be subject to a double blind peer review process.

Section editor: Heather Morrison

Innovations in Practice

This section will publish articles of 1000-4000 words that describe new initiatives and analyze their outcomes. Let others know how you put your best ideas into practice, and what lessons can be learned from the experience. Articles should include enough background to create a context for the general reader, and local acronyms and specialized terminology should be kept to a minimum or clearly explained.

Section Editor: TBA

Professional Development:

This will be a regular column that features short reviews or highlights of new resources, projects, web tools or other areas with a goal of providing current awareness for professional development. While the section will have an editor, guest experts will be sought by the editor so each column will be on a theme – i.e. Update on Scholarly Communication, New Blogging Tools, etc.

Section Editor: TBA

Profiles:

This section will feature short profiles of practitioners in the LIS field. It will showcase well-known and not-so-well-known librarians and information professionals who have made a difference with their work. Each submission should include brief biographical information on the practitioners, details of their notable endeavor, and should be approximately 300-500 words in length.

Section Editor: Virginia Wilson

Viewpoints:

This section allows for the _expression of opinions or viewpoints on current or topical issues in the library and information profession. The pieces would be relatively short in length and should engage the reader (call to action, identifying issues not to be ignored). The section could be a vehicle for The Partnership, either the Board or for the Presidents or Directors of the associations involved. Open to any information professional with a strong and engaging viewpoint.

Section Editor: Catherine Steeves

News and Announcements:

What went on, what’s going on and what’s happened to whom. A News & Announcement article briefly describes things such as an award received, a new library, a new appointment, or research in progress.

Section Editor: Cynthia McKeich

Leading Lights:

These contributions, based on presentations at Canadian library or library-related conferences, may be nominated by anyone in the library community at large. Submissions could also be recommended by members of the Editorial Board. Presenters will be contacted and invited to prepare and send a submission for peer-review. Up to three items will ultimately be selected by the Leading Lights Editor for any issue of ECLIPSE. Topics may range from theoretical to technological highlights to view points to new practices. The format may also range widely including but not limited to videorecordings, online posters and formal papers. The length of the article will be guided by the format. Text-based submissions should be 1,000 to 4,000 words. Videorecordings would normally be 15 to 60 minutes. International presenters are welcome.

Section Editor: Cynthia Archer

Media/Publication Reviews:

The purpose of the reviews section is to provide critical appraisals of new print and non-print resources that will assist readers of the Journal in selecting works for their own professional use or addition to their library collections. Reviewers are chosen on the basis of their knowledge and experience in areas of relevance in the library and information world.

Section Editor: Michael Hohner

Peer Review Process

Articles featured in the Research and Theory and Innovation in Practice sections will peer reviewed using a double blind process. A pool of reviewers will be assembled by the Editorial Board through contacts with all of the Provincial and Territorial Library Associations.

All other submissions will be vetted through the section editors.

Publication Frequency

The Journal will be published twice per year. Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer.

Open Access Policy

This Journal is fully open access, completely available to anyone, anywhere, as soon as it is published, and in perpetuity. Creative Commons License: read Creative Commons Canada

http://creativecommons.ca/ Attribution – Noncommercial – No derivates

For more information contact:
Jennifer Richard
Editor in Chief

Vaughan Memorial Library
Acadia University
Wolfville, NS
B4P 2R6
Tel: 902-585-1403
Fax: 902-585-1748
Email: jennifer.richard@acadiau.ca