Publication analysis
About the publication
Title: Marketing Libraries Journal
ISSN: 2475-8116
Website: http://journal.marketinglibraries.org
Purpose, objective, or mission: MLJ is a “peer reviewed, independently published, open access scholarly journal that focuses on innovative marketing activities libraries are engaged in.”1
The journal’s aim is “to publish research and practical examples of library marketing campaigns, library marketing research, public relations campaigns, SWOT analysis, segmentation research, assessment of marketing activities, and tools used for marketing.”2
Target audience: LIS professionals from public, special and academic libraries who work in marketing positions.3
Publisher: MLJ is published independently.
Peer reviewed? Yes. All articles are subjected to a double blind peer review process.4
Type: LIS scholarly journal.
Medium: Online.
Content: Two types of articles are published: research-driven work that provides original scholarship, and practical information focusing on best practices and advice.5
Frequency of publication: Twice a year.6
About the publication’s submission guidelines
Location of submission guidelines: http://journal.marketinglibraries.org/authorguidelines.html
Types of contributions accepted: Research articles of 20-25 pages in length and practical articles of 8-10 pages in length. Additionally, practical articles (as columns) under one of the following subjects:
- Advocacy: articles that focus on developing relationships with stakeholders to help raise awareness and loyalty for library services and resources. This may relate to communicating with government, administration, and the greater community
- Branding: articles that illustrate how libraries develop their visual identity for their services and resources.
- From the Trenches: articles that show outcomes of a particular marketing initiative or campaign.
- Marketing Campaigns: case studies of a marketing campaign and the desired outcomes and objectives sought.
- Technology: software/apps and web-based technology tools that can be used as part of a marketing campaign.7
Submission and review process: The reviewing process for manuscripts will begin after the call for proposals deadline. Some manuscripts may require substantive revision before they are ready for publication. Once a manuscript has been formally accepted, authors are required to submit a complete electronic copy of the final version, including all figures, charts, tables, appendices, and illustrations.8
Editorial tone: Professional / scholarly.
Style guide used: APA, 6th edition.9
Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors
If you have written about LIS marketing and increasing visibility for libraries, this journal may be a viable publication. Some of the latest articles published are about creating a ‘brand’ for libraries and tips and tricks on video marketing.
Keep in mind that MLJ does not only publish traditional, scholarly articles, but also practical articles on advocacy, branding, case studies of marketing campaigns, technology tools, SWOT analyses and “from the trenches”-type material.
Audience analysis
About the publication’s readers
Publication circulation: MLJ is open access, and therefore available for any and all global readers, for free.
Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Articles are published in English. MLJ states that they are global in scope.10
Reader characteristics: Readers are likely LIS professionals or students who work in or are interested in marketing aspects of librarianship.
Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Considering the specificity of the journal’s content matter, LIS knowledge may be varied, but strong.
Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors
Readers of this journal are interested in a variety of articles, and are seeking out the latest research and information pertaining to LIS marketing. If you have written a scholarly article, a SWOT analysis or have researched a hot topic marketing issue, MLJ readers will be eager to learn about it.
Last updated: April 24, 2018
References
- “Home,” Journal.MarketingLibraries.org, accessed April 11, 2018, http://journal.marketinglibraries.org/
- “Home.”
- “About,” Journal.MarketingLibraries.org, accessed April 11, 2018, http://journal.marketinglibraries.org/about.html
- “About.”
- “About.”
- “Home.”
- “About.”
- “Author Guidelines,” Journal.MarketingLibraries.org, accessed April 23, 2018, http://journal.marketinglibraries.org/authorguidelines.html
- “Author Guidelines.”
- “About.”