Call for papers to Nordic Journal of Library and Information Studies vol. 5, no 2, Thematic issue: Research on and in academic libraries

The integral role of libraries within higher education is as important as ever, with the aim to contribute to quality in research and education. Yet academic libraries have so far been relatively underexplored in contemporary research within library and information studies in the Nordic countries.  

This call for papers aims to create a special issue that delves into the multifaceted functions and operations of academic libraries. We invite contributions that examine the academic library and its relevance in today's information-rich society as well as from historical perspectives. The call also encourages contributions that discuss and provide insights into how academic libraries contribute to democratic functions related to access to knowledge and research, to fostering trust and facilitating connections between the public and researchers. We would be happy to see papers that bridge the gap between theory and practice and that offer fresh perspectives on how academic libraries navigate and adapt to the shifts in the sector and the world surrounding it.  

In this issue, we welcome two types of submissions: original research papers and practice papers. Practice papers are introduced as a new paper category in this special issue. They should strive to provide new insights, case studies, or best practice with a focus on the work in academic libraries. Whereas the original research papers will undergo double-blind peer review, the practice papers will be reviewed by the guest editors, with potential input from external expertise. In addition to this, book reviews will be commissioned. 

If you are uncertain about whether the topic you have in mind suits this call, do not hesitate to reach out to the guest editors.  

The Nordic Journal of Library and Information Studies, NJLIS, is a scholarly, peer reviewed open access journal, covering scientific issues and current trends in Library and Information Studies. The Nordic Journal of Library and Information Studies publishes Nordic and international peer reviewed LIS articles and reviews of significant LIS literature. The editorial committee consists of representatives from LIS departments in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The role of editor rotates annually between the members of the editorial committee. The journal is published by the University of Copenhagen’s online platform tidsskrift.dk. 

This is a call for papers for a special issue due to be published in December 2024. Deadline for full papers: September 1, 2024. 

Contacts: 

• Helena Francke (Guest editor), Associate Professor, University of Borås & Academic Librarian, Gothenburg University Library, francke@ub.gu.se  
• Sara Kjellberg (Guest editor), PhD and Library Director at Malmö University, kjellberg@mau.se  
• Live Håndlykken Kvale (Guest editor), PhD and Senior Academic Librarian, University of Oslo, kvalel@ub.uio.no 
   
• Jenny Lindberg (Editor), Senior Lecturer, University of Borås, lindberg@hb.se

The journal is published with support from Lund University, Linnaeus University, University of Borås, Södertörn University, Oslo Metropolitan University, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, University of Copenhagen, Umeå University, Uppsala University, University of Iceland, Tampere University, and Åbo Akademi University. 

General guidelines 

Articles submitted to NJLIS should not be submitted to or published in other journals. 

Submissions 

Manuscripts should be submitted via the website https://tidsskrift.dk/njlis/about/submissions 

Length 

The maximum length for original research articles is 8,000 words. 
The maximum length for practice papers is 3,000 words.

Language 

Texts in Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, or English are accepted. 

References 

Nordic Journal of Library and Information Studies adheres to the latest version of the APA (American Psychological Association) reference style. 

Peer Review Process 

Submitted original research articles are subject to double-blind peer-review. The editor decides on publishing after the review process. Papers may be rejected directly by the editor if judged to be out of scope, deemed as sub-standard or not adhering to the author guidelines. 

Open Access Policy 

The journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. 

Practice Papers  

In this special issue we invite contributions to the paper category Practice papers. These papers serve the purpose of describing a particular activity, experience, or system. They can include details about the outcomes of a project, teaching experiences, or the process of selecting and implementing a specific system. In a practice paper, authors have the opportunity to share their best practices, as well as lessons learned, with a community of practitioners and researchers. Practice papers do not need to be prepared for double-blind peer-review, and they will be reviewed and accepted by the guest editors, with potential input from external expertise in the review process. Papers may be rejected directly by the guest editors if judged to be out of scope, deemed as sub-standard or not adhering to the author guidelines. 

If you are considering submitting a practice paper, we recommend that you consult the guest editors in advance to ensure it is within the scope of the category and special issue topic.