Call For Proposals

Inclusive Cataloging: Philosophical Questions and Case Studies in Reparative Cataloging

Please feel free to share with any colleagues who may be interested.

This edited volume, to be published by ALA Editions, will provide philosophical and practical considerations for inclusive/reparative cataloging projects. Chapters will touch on all aspects, including, but not limited to, the role of the library catalog in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives, the impact of language and access points on the communities libraries serve, and the history of reparative cataloging.

Case studies, sample policies and “how to” documents from libraries of different types and sizes will help readers incorporate these ideas into their own practice. Topics to be covered in this volume include examples of how libraries use technology to keep their catalog current, how they involve their communities to gather input and measure impact, and how public services and technical services work together to ensure library practices are inclusive and reflective of the community. This volume will fill a gap in the literature, providing librarians with both practical approaches to reparative cataloging as well as a broader understanding of the topic and its place in the DEIA landscape.

Topic Ideas:

• Philosophy

  • History and origin

    • Defining inclusive/reparative cataloging

    • Importance of language in libraries and library catalogs

  • Identity and “Naming” policies

    • Intro/background

    • Policy/practice formation in a library

  • Subject headings and other access points

    • Intro/background

    • Policy/practice formation in a library

  • Role of the library catalog in EDI initiatives

• Practice

  • Using technology to make changes

  • Description and access

    • Getting community input

    • Staying current

    • The impact of inclusive terminology

  • Role in collection development

  • Role in public services

    • Working with students/patrons

    • Working with technical services staff to make changes

  • Case studies/Sample policies

    • Academic

    • Special

    • Public

    • School

Don’t see a topic here that you would like to write about? Submit your proposal! If you have any questions, please contact the editors at inclusivecataloging@gmail.com to discuss how your idea may fit within the book’s scope.

Proposal Guidelines:

Interested authors are invited to submit a proposal and fill out the short online proposal form. The form will require:

• Author names, job titles, emails, and institutional affiliations

• A working chapter title

• An abstract up to 500 words

• A current CV

Proposals are due by February 8, 2023 and must be submitted via the Google form.

Acceptance

• Contributors will be notified of their status (acceptance or rejection) within 3-4 weeks of the due date of proposals.

• Completed chapters will be approximately 2,500-5,000 words for research-based chapters and 1,500-2,500 words for case studies and policies

Timeline

• First draft of chapters will be due May 31, 2023

• Final drafts will be due October 4, 2023.

• Projected publication date: Fall 2023/Winter 2024