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Journal of Web Librarianship (JWL)

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Journal of Web Librarianship (JWL)

ISSN: 1932-2909 (Print) and 1932-2917 (Online).1

Website: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wjwl20

Purpose, objective, or mission: According to their site, “The Journal of Web Librarianship is an international, peer-reviewed journal focused on all aspects of librarianship as practiced on the World Wide Web, including both existing and emerging roles and activities of information professionals.”2

Target audience: Information professionals (worldwide) interested in Web-based librarianship.3

Publisher: Taylor & Francis, Inc.4

Peer reviewed? Yes.5

Type: Hybrid: LIS scholarly journal and LIS professional news source. JWL is a peer-reviewed, scholarly journal which also publishes a significant number of professional articles. Taylor and Francis mentions that JWL “strives to find a balance between original, scholarly research, and practical communications.”6

Medium: Print and online.7

Content: The journal covers a wide variety of topics, including library website design and usability, strategies for cataloging web information, Web 2.0 technologies (i.e., wikis, RSS, etc.), search engines, and the future of web librarianship.8 Issues contain editorials, articles, professional communications, global connections, and reviews.9

Frequency of publication: Quarterly.10

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?journalCode=wjwl20&page=instructions

Types of contributions accepted: Per their site, “The Journal of Web Librarianship welcomes articles covering topics including but not limited to library web page design and redesigns, web project management, usability testing of library or library-related sites, cataloging or classification of Web information, international issues in web librarianship, library integration with other web sites, and future aspects of web librarianship. The journal is also interested in articles related to user behavior on the web, including search behaviors, social networking site trends, and the connection between the web-at-large and library web resources.”11

“The journal accepts empirical studies providing objective evidence related to current web-related challenges for libraries, including usability test reports, user survey results, and analyses of web statistics. The journal will also consider case studies of cutting-edge web projects in all types of libraries and best practices based on library experiences, literature, tutorials, and literature reviews.”12

Submission and review process: Work is submitted via the ScholarOne Manuscripts program and must be accompanied by a statement that the manuscript has not been published or submitted elsewhere. Articles should contain a 100 to 200-word abstract.13

Authors can expect JWL‘s double-blind peer review process to take anywhere from six to eight weeks. Additionally, two editors typically review each manuscript, adding an additional layer of objectivity.14

Editorial tone: Most manuscripts should have a scholarly, unbiased tone (e.g., scholarly research articles). Considering that the journal also publishes practical communications, it seems reasonable to assume that these non-scholarly communications should have a slightly more down-to-earth tone.15

Style guide used: Chicago Manual of Style16

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

JWL is a relatively new journal (its first issue was released in 2007),17, its credible and highly relevant information on “hot” topics in LIS make it an exciting and unique publishing opportunity for LIS practitioners, educators, and student authors. LIS practitioners could submit a case study on the practical application of a Web 2.0 technology in their workplace, while educators might conduct original research in the field of virtual librarianship. LIS students could submit an interview, an article describing an internship experience practiced in the Web environment, or an in-depth literature review (to name but a few options).

 

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Not available.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Although there is no detailed information available regarding the geographic location of JWL readers, a significant portion of the publication’s content is devoted to international issues. For example, many issues feature a “Global Connections” section, which has featured articles on Jamaica, Scotland, South Africa, and Egypt.18 Additionally, editors from all over the world serve on the Editorial Board.19 Thus, although the journal is published solely in American English, authors should limit their use of colloquialisms and specific cultural references.20

Reader characteristics: No demographic information is available for JWL readers. Since the journal is published in American English and is geared towards Web-based technologies, it seems safe to assume that most readers live in the U.S., work in information-based organizations, and are technologically inclined.21 In addition to information professionals of all types, LIS students are likely to be part of the journal’s core audience. Regardless of their profession, readers of JWL almost certainly share common professional interests, such as virtual library services or web design.22

JWL readers are likely to have established attitudes about the future direction of librarianship and might be considered progressive (especially in light of how articles in previous issues have enthusiastically advocated for new technologies and services).23

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: JWL readers are likely to be knowledgeable about certain LIS jargon and subjects, such as those that specifically relate to technology and Internet use in librarianship.24

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Because JWL is both a professional and scholarly journal, authors have multiple opportunities to reach readers. Whether an author decides to submit a theoretical research paper or a practical case study, it is important to focus the work on the highly specialized interests of JWL readers. As mentioned in the Publication Analysis, appropriate topics might include such issues as Web 2.0/Library 2.0, web design and usability testing, international or comparative issues in web librarianship, or the future of the profession. In order to connect with this audience, articles should demonstrate superior technological expertise and cutting-edge research.

Last updated: February 17, 2018

References

  1.  “Journal Information,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=wjwl20
  2. “Aims and Scope,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=wjwl20#.U7s-D7GdROg
  3. “Aims and Scope,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=wjwl20#.U7s-D7GdROg
  4.  Journal of Web Librarianship, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed February 16, 2018, http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1404780301975/599351
  5. Journal of Web Librarianship, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed February 16, 2018, http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1404780301975/599351
  6.  Journal of Web Librarianship, Taylor and Francis, accessed February 16, 2018, http://explore.tandfonline.com/cfp/bes/jwl-cfp16
  7.  Journal of Web Librarianship, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed February 16, 2018, http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1404780301975/599351
  8. “Aims and Scope,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=wjwl20#.U7s-D7GdROg
  9. “List of Issues,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wjwl20#.U7s96rGdROg
  10. Journal of Web Librarianship, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed February 16, 2018, http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1404780301975/599351
  11. “Aims and Scope,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=wjwl20#.U7s-D7GdROg
  12. “Aims and Scope,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=wjwl20#.U7s-D7GdROg
  13. “Instructions for Authors,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?journalCode=wjwl20&page=instructions#.U7s-GLGdROg
  14.  “Instructions for Authors,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?journalCode=wjwl20&page=instructions#.U7s-GLGdROg
  15.  “Instructions for Authors,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?journalCode=wjwl20&page=instructions#.U7s-GLGdROg
  16. “Instructions for Authors,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?journalCode=wjwl20&page=instructions#.U7s-GLGdROg
  17. Journal of Web Librarianship, Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory, accessed February 16, 2018, http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/title/1404780301975/599351
  18. “List of Issues,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wjwl20#.U7s96rGdROg
  19. “Editorial Board,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=editorialBoard&journalCode=wjwl20#.U7tDhbGdROg
  20. “Instructions for Authors,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?journalCode=wjwl20&page=instructions#.U7s-GLGdROg
  21. “Instructions for Authors,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?journalCode=wjwl20&page=instructions#.U7s-GLGdROg
  22. “Aims and Scope,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=wjwl20#.U7s-D7GdROg
  23. “List of Issues,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 16, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wjwl20#.U7s96rGdROg
  24. “Aims and Scope,” Taylor and Francis Group, accessed February 17, 2018, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=wjwl20#.U7s-D7GdROg