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Built on more than a century of quality journalism and reviews, Library Journal provides groundbreaking features and analytical news reports covering technology, management, policy and other professional concerns to public, academic and institutional libraries. Our hefty reviews sections evaluate 8000+ reviews annually of books, ebooks, audiobooks, videos/DVDs, databases, systems and websites. Our team of library and literary experts communicate with our audience through print, digital and live content and continuously strive to stay on the cutting edge of the ever-evolving world of libraries.

LJ readers include library professionals from public, academic, research, and institutional libraries from the United States, and around the world, as well as publishers and vendors with an interest in serving libraries and their patrons. They rely on our publications, events, and research to help navigate the challenges facing their respective institutions, and provide relevant materials and services their communities need.

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Library Journal Magazine

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Areas of Editorial Focus

Advocacy

Libraries are the ultimate shared resource, with excellent ROI, and serve as accelerators of learning throughout patron’s lives. At LJ, we’re committed to helping make the case for libraries with coverage that helps illustrate the value of libraries, models to point to for funding support, and tools for everyone’s advocacy kit.

Buildings & Design

While libraries are more than buildings, great spaces serve as a platform for next level service, enabling the new—from maker spaces and business services to kitchens and reading nooks. A symbol of the library’s importance to the community, a fresh start, a haven—library as place is on the rise. LJ’s in depth design coverage and professional development initiatives provide insight into the full range of possibilities and build the know-how to hire the right experts and get deep feedback, and buy-in, from stakeholders and communities.

Collection Development/Readers Advisory/Publishing

There’s no doubting the resilience of reading, and LJ is here with a virtual toolkit on collection development strategies—with more than 7,000 reviews published each year, comprehensive coverage of readers’ advisory tips, guidance on coming trends in everything from genres to the print to ebook continuum, and news on impactful changes in the publishing arena—as well as library initiatives on summer reading, early literacy, and community engagement around books and authors.  Beyond books, look to LJ for guidance on audio, films, databases, and professional reading.

Innovation

Responding to digital and social disruption, libraries are innovating faster and harder than ever before. LJ profiles top innovators in the field via its extensive awards program, especially Movers & Shakers; it also provides case studies of innovative services and models at libraries of all kind to be replicated, iterated, and adapted, as well as exploring process innovations such as human centered design that can drive further innovation laser-targeted to each community’s distinct needs.

Leadership

In libraries, leadership comes from every level of the organization. As community and campus leaders, library heads are often guides on civic or school-wide direction and set the tone for peers across their stakeholder groups. LJ surfaces that strategic thinking from the upper levels as well as the many in the trenches with ongoing coverage of the people who make libraries effective—via awards coverage, profiles of change makers, interviews and opinion pieces from thought leaders within and beyond the profession, and in-depth reporting on new initiatives designed to accelerate leadership skills.

Library Education/Careers

At every step in a library career—from first deciding to apply to library school to preparing to become a manager or director to taking leadership—professional development and training is more crucial than ever. The rapid pace of change means that library roles are evolving, with many librarian specialties emerging that didn’t even exist ten years ago. LJ’s education and careers coverage spans breaking news, concrete advice from librarians in the trenches, and opinion on the hot topics of our day; plus our own unique live and virtual professional development events help librarians stay abreast or retrain on topics too focused for a post graduate certificate and too detailed for a single session but required to thrive in the vibrant library field.

Management

Managing libraries has never before been this challenging, or this dynamic. LJ brings forward the creative minds and savvy strategies developing as a new management mindset turns outward. Look for more integration of external input, creativity behind strategic collaborations, embrace of data-informed decision making, and more. Organizational reinvention draws on tools such as design thinking and UX principles to maximize internal capacity and drive external impact and outcomes, all on mission. Long-term thinking takes relevance a step further to shape truly sustainable institutions.

Marketing

Top notch marketing, from first question about service community to last social media touch on a program, is now required from libraries of all sizes to help shape library strategy, communicate with the community and stakeholders, and articulate the real library story. LJ’s ongoing coverage of marketing initiatives, top strategists, and smart campaigns surfaces best practices, geared to raise the bar on this high touch skill set for librarians in every setting.

National Conference Coverage

When leaders from across the profession gather to share best practices, brainstorm new approaches to challenges, and build their networks within and beyond libraries, LJ is there. Via preview, on site, and wrap-up coverage, LJ surfaces the conference news, new voices, and more you need to know from major convenings of the American Library Association (ALA), Public Library Association (PLA), Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL), Association of Research Libraries (ARL), Charleston Conference, Electronic Resources & Libraries (ER&L), BookExpo America (BEA), and more.

Programming/Services

Answering the question “do we still need libraries in the age of the Internet” with a resounding YES, library programming delivers targeted service to strengthen their communities and transform the lives of their users. LJ’s curated coverage of innovative library offerings from around the country (and even the globe), amplifies their impact and helps library leaders learn how to replicate best practices and illustrate relevance—and develop, implement, test, and improve their own.

Technology

Everything digital enables libraries to do more, and creates both new demand and new opportunities for access. As tech gets ever-more infused into much of the work in libraries, LJ is dedicated to helping our readers get up to speed on how it is transforming services, enabling access, building library capacity, and both reshaping what patrons demand and how libraries deliver. Ongoing editorial coverage complements a dedicated full-day virtual event, The Digital Shift, which draws thousands of live attendees.

LibraryJoournalFeature_07012017

Over 750 leaders strong, Movers & Shakers proudly celebrates individuals who are changing the face of libraries. View the Class of 2017 Hosted by Library Journal in partnership with Libraries from across the U.S. and Canada—this full-day library building and design event brings attendees the latest trends in library design. View Upcoming Locations Design Institute An intimate two-day think tank brings 100+ library leaders and strategic minds from beyond libraries to engage in timely conversations on strategies libraries will be implementing to successfully navigate change now and into the future. View Upcoming Locations Directors Summit Aisle by Aisle is the guide to help industry event and tradeshow attendees discover book signings, demonstration schedules, show specials, prize drawings, booth giveaways, and more. View Tradeshow Schedule aisle by aisle Our Day of Dialog events are the most anticipated librarian-only gatherings of the year. Attendees get a close-up look at upcoming books and the latest trends in the library and publishing worlds. View Upcoming Locations Day of Dialog Focused on the challenge of school-readiness, attendees work together to discovery ways to accelerate their libraries impact through information and technology literacy, bridging the tech gap, and database use. View Upcoming Locations Public Library Think Tank

Library Journal Magazine

Upcoming

ALA/Library of the year

Issue Date: April, 2020
Ad Space Close: April 20, 2020
Ad Materials Due: May 4, 2020

Fall Book Announcements / Editor’s Picks

Issue Date: August, 2020
Ad Space Close: June 22, 2020
Ad Materials Due: July 6, 2020

Download the Full Editorial Calendar
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Day of Dialog
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We'll help you get started. Photo: Shawn G. Henry
From Left:

Andria L. Amaral, Charleston County Public Library (SC)
Amita Lonial, Skokie Public Library (IL)
Stephanie Anderson, Darien Library (CT)
Sue Kowalski, Pine Grove Middle School (NY)
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