Children and Libraries (CAL) is the official journal of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association. The Journal primarily serves as a vehicle for continuing education of librarians working with children, which showcases current scholarly research and practice in library service to children. It also serves as a vehicle for communication to the ALSC membership, spotlighting significant news, activities, and initiatives of the Association.
The text normally takes the form of original articles, bibliographic essays, speeches by award-winning authors, reviews of professional materials, and reports of division programs. The articles may be refereed or solicited by the editor. The division news section is the responsibility of ALSC staff.
CAL, in its responsibility as a vehicle for communication for the membership of ALSC, will contain divisional news, major articles, and other features. Divisional communication may take the form of reports to the membership prepared by the ALSC president and staff, summaries of the action taken by the divisional Board of Directors at the Annual Conference and Midwinter Meetings of the American Library Association, and reports of divisional membership meetings. Major articles may deal with any aspect of library resources and services to children in all types of libraries. Regular features may include editorials, letters to the editor, and guidelines for authors.
ALA/ALSC holds "right of first refusal" to publish all speeches and papers presented at events sponsored by ALSC except for previously published and copyrighted material. This includes preconference and program events held during the Annual Conferences and/or Midwinter Meetings of ALA as well as any other ALSC institutes, workshops, conferences, or division-sponsored program activities.
All material in CAL is subject to copyright by ALA and may be reprinted or photocopied and distributed for the noncommercial purpose of educational or scientific advancement. All such reprints and photocopies must include a credit line attributing the material to ALA and CAL. (Contact the ALA Rights and Permissions Office for specific text to be used in the credit line. See Item F below.)
1. The editor has the final responsibility for the content of CAL within the parameters of ALA and ALSC policies. The policies are located in the ALA and ALSC Handbooks. CAL is the official organ of ALSC. The editor assumes an obligation to represent the best interests of the division fairly and as fully as possible within the scope of the Journal and with due regard to the editor's prerogative for producing a balanced and readable publication. Detailed qualifications, duties, and responsibilities are spelled out in a formal written position description for the editor.
2. The editor is hired by ALSC as an independent contractor. The annual contract is renewable for up to a three-year term contingent on performance. Editor is eligible for reappointment upon completion of each three-year term.
3. The Editor will be paid a stipend, determined by ALSC and agreed upon by the editor as outlined in the contract, annually to cover salary and minor editorial-related expenses (i.e., photocopying, communications). An additional stipend of $600 is available to cover expenses associated with each attendance at the ALA Conference and Midwinter Meeting on official journal business.
The advisory committee serves to:
1. Develop editorial policies for CAL subject to review and approval by the ALSC Board.
2. Recommend to the editor individuals to serve as referees, reviewers, and contributors.
3. Review material submitted for publication upon request of the editor.
All advertising is subject to publisher's (ALA and ALSC) approval. Publisher reserves the right to reject advertising. Advertiser and advertising agency assume liability for all content (including text representation and illustrations) of any advertisement printed, and also assume responsibility for any claims against the publisher resulting from a printed advertisement. The publisher assumes no responsibility if, for any reason, it becomes necessary to omit an advertisement.
The editor of CAL will:
1. Assume final authority for content of each issue, except for the division news section.
2. Be responsible for manuscript solicitation, management of the referee process in accordance with procedures developed with the editorial advisory committee, and editing.
3. Submit copy to ALA Production Services in accordance with established procedures and schedule.
4. Read and edit page proofs.
5. Serve as an ex-officio member of the Editorial Advisory Committee and carry out all remaining duties spelled out in the formal, written position description for the editor.
The executive director of ALSC will:
1. Oversee all aspects of production, distribution, and financial management of CAL within the parameters of ALA and ALSC policies.
2. Serve as business manager and in that capacity will:
a. Prepare and submit the budget for review by the appropriate bodies.
b. Manage the CAL finances.
c. Delegate day-to-day responsibilities for CAL to an ALSC staff member who will:
1) Provide information and copy for the ALSC News Section, including ALSC board actions, activities, programs, etc.
2) Act as ALSC liaison with CAL Editor and ALA Production Services Department
3) Arrange for indexing of CAL.
4) Contract with an advertising manager to represent and sell display advertising for CAL.
ALA/PS, in conjunction with the executive director, will:
1. Submit production budget to the ALSC staff.
2. Establish and maintain contracts with suppliers, typesetters, and printers.
3. Establish the annual production schedule in consultation with the editor and ALSC staff.
4. File copyright forms received from the division/editor with ALA Rights and Permissions Office, process reprint requests, provide copyediting, page composition, and proofreading for CAL.
5. Manage distribution of CAL, e.g., postal permits, and mailing labels.
6. Receive, handle, and proof advertisements.
7. Manage advertising revenue and provide regular reports on income, ad pages sold, etc.
The office shall record and maintain the subscription records of CAL.
The office, in consultation with ALSC staff, and in accordance with the ALA Rights and Permissions Policy, shall handle all requests for permission to reprint from CAL.
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