During recent times libraries have faced many new challenges to their operations in the
forms of pandemics, climate change and armed conflicts, notably the Russian invasion of
Ukraine. How do libraries and library organizations cope with these severe challenges in a
short and more long-term perspective, and how does the international community,
including library associations and volunteer networks, respond to the urgent needs
expressed by affected institutions?
Alexandria: The Journal of National and International Library and Information Issues
welcomes submission of papers on the role of libraries in times of war and crisis, their
challenges to promote democracy and literacy in such problematic situations and the
resulting support from colleagues, institutions and associations worldwide. The theme of
war and crisis could also be widened to include contributions about libraries and civil
emergencies, mental health etc. Submissions can be both short communications on a
practical level, including accounts of actual development of events, and full articles with a
more theoretical approach.
A process of double peer review will be applied. Abstracts are due Friday 18 November
2022 and the full manuscript for selected articles will be due Friday 21 January 2023. The
themed issue will be published in 2023.
Abstracts should be no more than 1,000 words.
Full articles should be between 4,000 and 7,500 words long.
Short communications should be no more than 3,000 words long.
Alexandria wishes to present the widest possible range of papers relating to the theme,
including papers from the perspective of academic libraries, public libraries and other
relevant institutions. All submissions make clear their collecting context and we particularly
welcome submissions from developing countries.