Book Description

In light of the Library and Information Science (LIS) field’s ongoing challenges with racial equity, there is a pressing need to disrupt traditional paradigms and reimagine the discipline through critical frameworks like Critical Race Theory (CRT). This reimagining aligns with “a commitment to social justice and the eradication of racial and all forms of oppression” (Leung & López-McKnight, 2021, p. 18). Building on existing DEIA scholarship to address significant gaps examining critical race theory and faith-based library work, this volume seeks to expand upon the current body of DEIA scholarship by specifically addressing the intersection of critical theories and frameworks with the operations of faith-based higher education institutions’ GLAMs.

Recent scholarship has underscored several critical areas for exploration:

• The necessity for a dedicated forum where library workers in faith-based higher education can voice their experiences and insights.
• The tension between the implicit religious teachings at these institutions and their direct or indirect perpetuation of racial, gender, and sexual prejudices and inequalities.
• The scarcity of effective decolonization initiatives within faith-based institutions, particularly those with legacies of Black and Indigenous subjugation.

Aim of the Volume

This anthology aims to consolidate contributions from LIS scholars, practitioners, and organizations to critically assess the prevalence of white supremacy within LIS and propose strategies to dismantle racial oppression and inequalities within the field.

Call for Contributions

We invite submissions from professionals associated with GLAMs in faith-based higher education contexts. We are looking for:

• Empirical research
• Narrative accounts
• Practitioner-developed curricula
• Creative works that address DEIA efforts and their impact within LIS environments

Topics of Interest

We welcome proposals that are theoretically informed and empirically grounded, including but not limited to:

• DEIA initiatives and their outcomes in GLAM settings
• Experiences with DEIA assessment and implementation
• Creation and impact of DEIA statements, committees, or strategic plans
• Audits of DEIA in collections, facilities, and digital spaces
• Roles and reflections on DEIA-specific positions
• Projections for the future of DEIA in LIS GLAMs
• Other relevant themes

Collaborative Peer Feedback Process

In alignment with our dedication to collective scholarship, this project will incorporate a structured peer feedback mechanism. Contributors will participate in a transparent, community-driven review, providing critical yet supportive feedback on each other’s chapters, enriching the academic rigor and cohesion of the volume.

Submission Guidelines

• Research articles and narrative accounts should be between 6,000 to 9,000 words.
• Case studies, reflective essays, and creative contributions may be shorter.
• All submissions must adhere to the Library Juice Press Author Guidelines.

Abstract Submission

Submit a 250-500 word abstract outlining your proposed chapter by January 22, 2024 for first consideration.

Important Dates

• Proposal Submission Deadline (first consideration): January 22, 2024
• Acceptance Notification: February 19, 2024
• Full Chapter Submission Due: July 22, 2024
• Anticipated Publication: Spring 2025

Contact and Submission

Questions and completed proposals should be directed to the co-editors at editorsdeiaglams@gmail.com. 

We encourage you to distribute this call for papers within your professional networks.