How to write for Information Outlook

Information Outlook, Feb, 2006

SLA's monthly magazine is written primarily by and for information professionals. INFORMATION OUTLOOK interprets the news and covers trends and issues that affect information professionals in a global environment.

If you know of an interesting improvement in a special library or information center ... If you've solved a difficult problem--or prevented one ... If you or a colleague have done something extraordinary ... If you want to give something back to the profession by sharing your experiences with others ... We want to hear from you.

We welcome proposals for articles of interest to information professionals.

Topics

The editorial calendar is a guide for the editorial direction of the magazine. Each issue covers many more topics than those included in the calendar. "Cover article" topics for one issue will be suitable as features in another.

When you propose an article, make sure you can relate the topic to the specific needs of our readers. INFORMATION OUTLOOK readers represent companies of all sizes. They work in large libraries with large staffs and as solo librarians in small companies. Their experience ranges from senior professionals to beginners just out of school.

INFORMATION OUTLOOK readers want to read articles about new techniques, new ideas, new trends. They're interested in articles about search engines, knowledge management, international issues, copyright law, technology, innovation, the Internet. They're interested in articles on administration, organization, marketing, and operations.

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INFORMATION OUTLOOK readers like case studies. They're interested in growing their organizations and in planning their careers. They want to know what works, and what doesn't work. They want success stories. They want to know how to confront problems and how to avoid them.

Articles should include something new, something different, something important. When the reader is finished, he or she should feel smarter than before.

A note to vendors and service providers

In many cases you may have the best and most current information on a topic. We invite you to share that expertise with our readers, to advance the body of knowledge of the profession. But--we'll insist that your articles do not promote your business or claim that your product or service is the only solution to a given problem. Expanded writers guidelines are at www.sla.org/content/Shop/Information/writingforio/index.cfm.> To submit a proposal ...

If you have an idea for an article, please send a proposal to jadams@sla.org outlining the article and your qualifications for writing it. A paragraph or two and a few bullet points will suffice. We usually respond in a couple of weeks or less.

Editorial Calendar

Each issue of INFORMATION OUTLOOK includes articles on many more topics than the ones listed here. The calendar is only a general guide for editorial direction. "Cover article" topics for one issue will be suitable as features in another.

Please e-mail article queries and proposals to jadams@sla.org. If you are writing for a particular issue, your query should be early enough to allow for writing the article.

    Issue  Cover Article                                    Deadline

      May  Career development                               Mar.3,2006
     2006  Possible topics: Professional development,
           gaining expertise in content areas, resume
           writing, interview tactics.

     June  Digital information sources                      Apr.7,2006
     2006  Possible topics: Selection process, RFP
           writing, maximizing usage.

     July  Managing                                         May 5,2006
     2006  Possible topics: Planning, budgeting,
           supervising a staff, purchasing.

   August  Knowledge management                             June 9,2006
     2006  Possible topics: KM systems, indexing
           information, low-budget KM.

September  Internal Marketing                               July 7,2006
     2006  Possible topics: Using intranets and e-mail,
           training internal clients, special events, tips
           for increasing usage, showing return on
           investment.

  October  Web searching                                    Aug.11,2006
     2006  Possible topics: Meta directories, using online
           search engines, the best sites for various
           content areas.

 November  Copyright                                        Sept.8,2006
     2006  Possible topics: Global considerations,
           permissions, new laws and regulations

 December  Managing                                         Oct.6,2006
     2006  Possible topics: Planning, budgeting,
           supervising a staff, purchasing.