College & Research Libraries Guide for Authors & Reviewers

College & Research Libraries includes articles in all fields of interest and concern to academic and research libraries. Well-written manuscripts on all aspects of academic and research librarianship will be considered. The focus of the journal is on reports of original research. Manuscripts may also include descriptive narratives of successful and unsuccessful ventures, thoughtful discussions of issues in librarianship, and other suitable subjects.

The editor and the Editorial Board invite submissions relevant to the goals stated in the ACRL Plan for Excellence, as well as the research areas identified in ACRL White Papers and Reports, including the “Value of Academic Libraries” report.

College & Research Libraries is a refereed journal using double-anonymized reviewing process (neither the authors nor the reviewers know who is involved in te review). The editor peruses manuscripts and may reject papers that are clearly outside of the scope of the journal. Manuscripts within the scope will be sent to at least two reviewers. For this process, the cover sheet with authors’ names and other identifying materials is blocked out or deleted.

Reviewers address themselves to the content and style of the manuscript. Main areas of consideration are:

• Does the manuscript make a new contribution to the literature?
• Is the method used appropriate to the subject?
• Does the evidence presented support the hypothesis?
• Does the author communicate clearly with an educated, yet not necessarily specialized, audience?
• Does the literature review place the research or opinions in perspective?

C&RL receives a number of queries and submissions that address local innovations or practices.  These can be very interesting and useful to practitioners but may not meet the standards or guidelines for College & Research Libraries.  C&RL's sister publication College & Research Libraries News ​is an excellent publication for case studies and best practices.