The Political Librarian Journal

As an open source academic journal, The Political Librarian is dedicated to expanding the discussion of about library advocacy and activism while promoting research and new thinking about policy and funding issues for libraries.

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The Political Librarian is published at the intersection of local libraries, public policy, education policy, and tax policy. As an open-source academic journal, The Political Librarian is dedicated to expanding the discussion about library advocacy and activism while promoting research and new thinking about library policy and funding issues. We publish a wide range of opinion pieces, research, and peer-reviewed materials on public policy and tax policy issues for libraries. 

Read the current issue of The Political Librarian
Volume 8 • Issue 1 • 2025
on the Open Scholarship platform at Washington University Libraries, ISSN: 2471-3155

https://www.thepoliticallibrarian.org

 

We invite submissions from researchers, practitioners, community members, and others dedicated to furthering the discussion, promoting research, and helping to re-envision tax policy and public policy on the extremely local level. The Political Librarian is actively interested in featuring new voices and lines of inquiry. 

We seek submissions from both researchers and practitioners that fall into one of three submission categories:

  • Opinions/First Drafts – Editorial in nature; the first draft of an idea or argument.
  • White Papers – Longer form discussions that may include research.
  • Peer-Reviewed – Long-form articles that include original research and arguments, and are submitted for review by our Editorial Board and/or external reviewers.

We want to bring in a variety of perspectives to the journal and do not limit our contributors to just those working in the library and information science field in public, academic, and school library settings. We seek submissions from researchers, practitioners, community members, or others dedicated to furthering the discussion, promoting research, and helping to re-envision tax policy and public policy on the extremely local level.

Our editorial guidelines are posted for your review and consideration.

The Political Librarian Archive

Current Issue: Volume 8 • Issue 1 • 2025

Next Issue and Call-For Submission Deadlines

For our Summer 2025 issue, The Political Librarian seeks papers that address library advocacy, policy, and funding in a turbulent world. Areas of focus can include (but are not limited to) public, academic, and school library policy and funding. We are interested in discussing rapidly evolving issues around censorship in schools and public libraries, political and funding conversations at all levels of government, and funding for libraries in turbulent economic, political, and cultural climates.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with Series Editor Andrew Sulavik at [email protected] for information or to submit a manuscript for consideration.  

 

The Political Librarian Editorial Board 

Chris Brown, MLIS, MPA, Library Commissioner for the Chicago Public Library, Chicago, IL  

Chris Brown is a visionary leader who serves as Library Commissioner for the Chicago Public Library (CPL), where he has focused on equity and expanded access. He established the first Book Sanctuary. He also forged impactful partnerships to address public health concerns. He championed the creation of a new mental health liaison position. Brown's transformative leadership has established CPL as a model of accessibility, innovation, and community empowerment.

Anthony Chow, Ph.D., Director of San Jose State University iSchool, San Jose, CA

Anthony Chow is a highly experienced Full Professor with expertise in higher education. He specializes in online learning, instructional technology, libraries and information science, systems design, and strategic planning. In addition, he has skills in leadership, management, analytics, informatics, and organizational management. Dr. Chow holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Instructional Technology/Instructional Systems/Human Performance from Florida State University.

Nicole Cooke, MLIS, M.Ed., Ph.D., Augusta Baker Endowed Chair at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

Nicole Cooke is an accomplished educator and researcher with extensive experience in the library industry. She holds a B.A. in Communication, an MLS, and a Ph.D. in Communication, Information, and Library Studies, all from Rutgers University, and an M.Ed. in Adult Education from Pennsylvania State University. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the 2016 ALA Equality Award and the 2017 ALA Achievement in Library Diversity Research Award. She has published several books, including "Fake News and Alternative Facts: Information Literacy in a Post-truth Era." 

Rose T. Dawson, MLS, CPM, Executive Director of the Alexandria Library, Alexandra, VA

Rose Timmons Dawson has worked in various District of Columbia Public Library positions. She holds undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Rose is a certified racial healing practitioner and a life member of the American Library Association (ALA) and the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA). She has received several awards for her contributions to the library profession, including the UNC-CH School of Information and Library Science Distinguished Alumni Award and the BCALA Distinguished Service to the Library Profession Award. Under her leadership, the Alexandria Library received the 2020 American Library Association's John Cotton Dana Award and the 2020 American Library Association's Excellence in Library Programming Award.

Ewa Dziedzic Elliott, MLIS, Education Librarian at the R. Barbara Gitenstein Library at The College of New Jersey, Ewing Township, NJ

Ewa Dziedzic Elliott has previously worked as a School Library Media Center Specialist for Lawrence Township Public Schools and South Brunswick Township School District in New Jersey. Ewa holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree from Rutgers. She has a certification as a School Library Media Specialist (SLMS). She has contributed several research papers to scholarly, peer-reviewed journals and has received awards for her work. Ewa has also written essays and articles for popular media outlets such as School Library Connection.

Christopher Harris, EdD., Director of the School Library System for the Genesee Valley BOCES, Genesee County, NY

As the Director of the School Library System for the Genesee Valley BOCES, Christopher Harris supports 22 small, rural districts in Western NY. Dr. Harris has received various accolades for his contributions to the field, including recognition as a participant in the first American Library Association Emerging Leaders program in 2007 and as a Library Journal Mover and Shaker in 2008. In 2022, he was named a Senior Fellow for the American Library Association for school libraries and youth policy issues. Dr. Harris holds an Ed.D. from St. John Fisher College. For his dissertation research, he researched helping teachers become more confident in teaching computer science.

Jonathan Harris, MLIS, Director of the Portage County District Library, Garrettsville, OH 

Jonathan Harris has served on the Intellectual Freedom Committee and P.R./Marketing Action Council for the Ohio Library Council. He holds an MLIS from Kent State University and a B.S. in Journalism from Ohio University, where he specialized in Public Relations and Political Communication. He has presented at conferences and staff development days on professional ethics, policy, intellectual freedom, and political messaging. His advocacy work has been featured in both local and national media outlets. He co-authored the introductory chapter of "Millennial Leadership in Libraries" with his father, a retired library director.

Slaven Lee, MLIS, Director of the Missoula Public Library, Missoula, MT 

For 20+ years, Slaven Lee has drawn upon equity and inclusion frameworks to deliver exceptional patron experiences, build meaningful community relationships, and develop innovative services in public libraries. Slaven has held leadership roles in library systems serving rural and urban communities, including the King County Library System (Washington), Queens Public Library (New York City), and the Austin Public Library (Texas). Slaven has been the Executive Director of the award-winning Missoula Public Library in Montana since April 2022 and is excited to have implemented a new strategic plan focusing on community engagement. Slaven is an advocate for ending hunger and is the current Chair of the Missoula Food Bank and Community Center board.

Noah Lenstra, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Library and Information Science at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 

Noah Lenstra is a library and information science scholar, educator, and activist passionate about community engagement, social justice, and public libraries. He founded Let's Move in Libraries, a global initiative connecting public libraries with community health and wellness initiatives. Dr. Lenstra's research focuses on public libraries, community engagement, health information literacy, and physical activity promotion. He strongly advocates for libraries' role in promoting health and well-being. He has published several articles, books, and reports on the topic.

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