Call for Proposals: Belonging in Music Libraries

MLA’s Basic Manual Series is pleased to announce the development of a new topic area, Belonging in Music Libraries. While dimensions of belonging have explored the concept in other library settings, this effort stands apart in overtly addressing the topic in music libraries. This innovative topic area will be included in the Basic Manual Series.

Potential topics may include but are not limited to: gender and sexuality; behavioral & social differences; English as a foreign language; race, ethnicity, cultural diversity & equity; and socio-economic status, first-generation, & privilege. These monographs will examine how we can promote belonging in the library as we seek opportunities for intentional and inclusive understandings.  

We would like potential authors to use multiple approaches to walk us through this process. 

Each book should:

·       Have a clear focus and structure

·       Use engaging prose

·       Include a reading guide that contains questions for thought and discussion.

·       Address the topic both from how we serve users and how we interact with colleagues.

·       Word-length between 25,000 and 30,000 words.

·       Minimal footnotes and appendices.

·       Limit the illustrative materials.

Submission Procedure:

Proposal Guidelines for Authors Proposals should include the following elements: 

·       Description of the proposed monograph.

·       Annotated table of contents that includes a description of each chapter along with estimated word count. 

·       Sample reading guide.

·       Sample discussion questions.

·       Anticipated manuscript completion date. 

·       A curriculum vitae of the author(s) and a list of recent publications along with writing samples.

Recent titles in the Basic Manual Series include Outreach for Music Librarians (2019) edited by Scott M. Stone; Ideas, Strategies, and Scenarios in Music Information Literacy (2018) edited by Kathleen A. Abromeit; Keeping Time: An Introduction to Archival Best Practices for Music Librarians (2014) by Lisa Hooper and Donald C. Force; and Basic Music Reference: A Guide for Nonspecialist Librarians, Library Assistants, and Student Employees (2013) by Alan Green and Michael Duffy.

Current titles are available from A-R Editions.

Previously released titles (through 2006) are available from Scarecrow Press

All submissions and inquiries should be directed to the series editor:

Kathleen Abromeit, Editor, Basic Manual Series, at kabromei at oberlin. edu

Editorial Board Members: Sandi-Jo Malmon, Scott Stone, and Carla Williams